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If you're waiting until your refrigerator gasps out its last breath of cold air to shop for a new one, you could be missing out on a chance for big savings. Timing your purchases to coincide with manufacturer discounts, clearance sales and off-season discounts will take out the stress of finding a good price on almost anything.
We spoke with a few experts to get the inside scoop on the best times of the year to shop.
Airline tickets
Best time: It dependsThere really is no best time of the year to buy plane tickets. But if you expect to travel around the holidays, always plan ahead because deals are hard to come by.
"If you can get a good deal for Thanksgiving and Christmas at any time, buy it. That is their peak period, and airlines have a limited inventory," says Neil Bainton, the chief operating officer of Farecompare, a travel-planning Web site that tracks airline ticket prices.
For non-holiday domestic travel, Bainton recommends that travelers never buy tickets more than 90 days away from their departure date. "You want to watch the 21-day mark because some carriers will file their lowest fares as a 21-day advance purchase. And then the next window is at 14 days, which you really don't want to go by unless you're feeling lucky," Bainton says. Getting a good ticket price depends on the competition in the markets you're flying to and from and the supply of seats versus the demand.
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Airlines file updates to their fares three times a day: 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. weekdays, with one filing –- at 5 p.m. -- on Saturday and Sunday. (All times are ET.) "Most of the lowest fares are filed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and sometimes Saturdays. It depends on the carrier and the market," Bainton says.
Air conditioners
Best time: winterCommon sense prevails in the air-conditioner market, according to Diane Ritchey, editor of Home Appliance Magazine.
"Think about when they're most in use: May through September. People feel the heat and they start to buy. The stock gets depleted, the demand is higher and so is the price. When cool weather comes around, most people just aren't into air conditioner purchasing, so the demand drops, as does the price," she says.
Big appliances
Best time: September and OctoberJust like the fall clothing influx, new models of major appliance models such as ranges and washing machines hit showroom floors in September and October, says Home Appliance Magazine's Ritchey. About the same time, last year's models go on sale to make room.
"Critical timing and seeing the patterns of the retail world can make a huge difference in appliance shopping," Ritchey says.
Bicycles and outdoor gear
Best time: January"If you want the newest stuff, the time to look is in February and March, when the season's models come out. The stores start replacing fall and winter stuff with spring and summer models, and that's true for most all outdoor gear from shoes to bikes, hiking gear, everything," says Dennis Lewon, senior editor for Outside magazine.
Some companies will send out special holiday items that will land in the discount section after the season. "In general, most of the new products come to stores in February," Lewon says. "January is good for looking for the old models in the classic post-holiday shopping period."
Boats
Best time: January, February and MarchAccording to Thom Dammrich, the president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the winter boat-show season is the time to get a good price on a new boat.
"The primary winter boat show season is January, February and March. Going to a boat show is the easiest way to see the latest model of boats for many manufacturers, and compare features," Dammrich says. "Also, dealers typically offer their best pricing during boat shows."
Cars
Best time: SeptemberNew model years begin appearing at dealerships in the fall, making September an ideal time to snatch up the previous year's model at a discount. By the end of the year, inventory dwindles, so acting earlier assures a determined buyer of the best selection.
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Video: Smart hagglingIf you'd like to pay less than retail when shopping, try these bargaining tips.
Another tip for buying a new car: "Monitor the number of days that a truck or car sits on a lot. Anytime a car or truck isn't selling well, you can get a good deal," says Phillip Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com and a co-author of "Strategies for Smart Car Buyers."
Shop on a weekday to get the undivided attention of the sales staff and go at the end of the month when they're trying to make quotas. Be sure to go early in the morning or early in the afternoon and show up well-rested and with a full belly.
"You don't want to be hungry or tired," says Reed, who also recommends using the Internet department to broker the deal. You'll save money and skip the high-pressure negotiations in the finance and insurance office.
"Often the person who delivers the car to you isn't even a salesman but a porter. You just sign the papers, and it's done," Reed says.
Cell phones
Best time: any timeA new cell phone comes out approximately every five minutes. Obviously, that's hyperbole, but John Morris, the editor of home and entertainment coverage for CNET.com, says the team reviewing cell phones can barely keep up with the steady stream of new models being offered.
"The market for cell phones doesn't follow any seasonal trend or technological advances. Also, their release schedule is dictated by carriers as well as manufacturer, which makes it a little more complicated," Morris says.
Computers
Best time: July and AugustIf you're shopping for a low price on a computer, buying slightly older technology can save you some money. Following the release schedule of chip makers Advanced Micro Devices and Intel will offer some clues as to when computer manufacturers will offer updates and redesigns, says CNET's Morris. Chip manufacturers turn out upgrades quickly, about every three months, with major computer manufacturers following suit.
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