When you're looking for a new swimsuit or winter coat, you may not get the best deal if you buy it in-season. Buying off season, however, can net you huge discounts.
Off-Season Shopping: What, When, and Why?
When should you buy swimsuits or winter coats to get the best bargain?
Web2Carz Contributing Writer
Published: July 16th, 2012
I
t's the middle of summer, and when you want to go to the pool it makes sense that if you don't already have one, you'd take yourself to the mall or a department store to pick out a new swimsuit. The same can be said for mid-November in most states; if you don't have a heavy, warm coat, it's time to go shopping. But while these are obviously the most convenient times to purchase things like this, are they necessarily the best time, financially? No. Enter off-season shopping.
Off-season shopping can provide shoppers with great deals, so long as they're willing to be somewhat patient.
Off-season shopping is exactly what it sounds like: shopping for things in the wrong season; for example, buying a swimsuit at the end of summer instead of the beginning, or buying winter boots in March, not December. Its benefits are multiple; first, you often find deep discounts. Second, you'll fight off the masses if you're shopping off-season. Though the overall selection may be a bit picked over at the end of the season, shopping around at different stores makes finding a great deal pretty easy.
So when should you buy?
For swimsuits and other summer gear, August is your best bet. Kids are heading back to school, the summer weddings and accompanying tropical honeymoons have been taken, and trips to the beach have come and gone. With cooler temperatures come cooler prices.
As far as winter clothes, coats, and boots, there are a few times when it's best to buy. First is toward the end of December, after all the Christmas gifts have been bought and stores are looking to make one last end-of-the-year sales push. Another time is at the end of winter, in late February, when stores are clearing out all of their "this will stop you from becoming a block of ice" clothing and start ushering in the sundresses, skirts, shorts, and, of course, swimsuits, that rule the warmer months.
Purchasing things off-season means you do have to wait until the next year to wear or use them, but that patience can pay off greatly, especially when you come across a coat that was $250 now marked down to $39.99 or a swimsuit that was originally $80 that is now $14.99. Good things come to those who wait, don't you know?
