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Q: My old grill is past its best so I need a new one. I don’t mind where I buy from, but there seems to be some kind of sale or online event every few weeks. If I’m going to get the best value for my money, how do I know when is the best time to buy a grill?
A: We understand your confusion. With a huge variety of seasonal and special offers throughout the year, knowing when is the best time to buy a grill is difficult.
There are definitely times to avoid if you want to maximize your budget. Starting in March, new models begin to appear as grilling season gets under way. April through July is the time of year when demand is at its peak. As a result, few retailers or manufacturers offer savings during this period. They simply don’t need to.
Outside of the main grilling season, while there is no single best time to buy a grill, you’ll certainly find specific periods when discounts are offered. There are also several popular shopping events to look out for. Let’s look at them in a bit more detail.
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After peak grilling season in July, many retailers cut prices.
By the time July rolls around, most people who were going to buy a new grill for the year will have done so. That means from August onward there is little demand and many retailers will try to stimulate interest with a range of offers.
Early in the new year is also a good time to check for deals. Many retailers, particularly brick-and-mortar stores with limited floor space, will be starting to think about stocking the latest grills. If they have old inventory, they will want to sell it as soon as possible. Buying last year’s model can often offer considerable savings. Unlike things like tablets and smartphones, radical developments in grill technology are rare. So it’s unlikely you’ll be missing out.
Deep discounts can be found during national holidays.
Memorial Day weekend is well-known for its sales, with many deals relating to items for the summer. This is particularly true at those retailers who focus on home and garden products. It may be the only time during the peak grill-buying season that you find discounts on the newest models, though Fourth of July sales might present another chance.
In some cases, prices aren’t reduced, but retailers bundle other products—cooking tools, for example—to create a more attractive offer. It may not be absolutely the best time to buy a grill, but those set on having the latest model can often see savings.
Labor Day weekend is considered by many to be the unofficial end of summer, and grill retailers are well aware of this. As a result, special deals are frequently available. Grills bought at this time of year will probably be stored until the next season, so be sure to plan out a protected storage area.
Related: How To: Care for Your Grill
Don’t forget floor models.
It used to be common practice that a floor model—one used for display purposes in store—would be offered at a discount at the end of the season. Though these deals are found less often, for those who prefer to shop at brick-and-mortar stores it may still offer an opportunity to save money.
It is worth noting that floor models may have minor scratches or other damage so the grill needs to be checked carefully. Whether it comes with a full manufacturer’s warranty is also a consideration. These things need to be balanced against discounts that can often be modest (10 percent is common).
It can also very much be a question of being in the right place at the right time. There may only be one or two floor model grills available. If you visit a particular store regularly, it might be worth mentioning your interest to sales staff.
Amazon Prime Day and rival Prime Day sales events.
Though shopping at an online retailer means the grill can’t be physically checked, lower prices make it an extremely popular way to buy. Events like Amazon Prime Day (which actually runs 48 hours) and Black Friday (which for many retailers is now a week-long event) offer the opportunity to score even greater savings on a new grill.
Most other major retailers; Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Walmart, etc., either run discount offers on Prime Day itself or hold similar sales events at other times of the year. It is worth making a regular check of each retailer’s website, so you know well in advance and can compare potential deals.
Bottom Line.
While there isn’t really any one time of year that is the best time to buy a grill, there are a number of great opportunities for those who are patient. Staying up to date with the activities of both major retailers and local stores offers a chance of finding major savings.
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