Winter is coming. If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow during the winter, you may wonder the best time to buy a snow blower. The unofficial answer is any time other than right before a major snowstorm. When buying a snow blower, there are better times of year than others. We’ll discuss the different times of year you can buy a snow blower, what the stock is like in those stores at those times, and what you can expect when you try to buy a snow blower at those times.
Spring
Snowblower availability tends to be low at the end of the winter season. There isn’t much snow on the ground, so why would stores stock their aisles with machines? Additionally, because they’ve sold snow blowers for years, they can strategically order machines, so they have very little stock left when winter ends.
The biggest advantage of shopping in the spring is that you can score big bargains because stores are so anxious to get rid of their stock. Just like auto manufacturers, once the new year arrives, lawn and garden stores want to focus on the new models and will be highly motivated to clear out last year’s. The upside is that stores want to make room for new products, so you can score great deals. The downside is that there’s not much selection because most people have already made their purchases months ago.
Summer
Snow blower shopping is probably at its peak at this time of year. In the summer, everyone is talking about lawn mowers, but manufacturers are also starting to introduce snow blowers (think May and June).
Because they’re bringing in new models, you can order older models for a lower price. On the plus side, you can choose between brand new and older models (which are less expensive). The downside is that many stores will still be geared toward lawn mowers, and you may have to dig a bit to find what you need.
Early Fall
If you’re only interested in price, Consumer Reports says that August and September are the best times to buy a snow blower. In their experience, there will always be exceptions, but in the case of snowblowers in the late summer and early fall is when you will save the most money. In their opinion, the best times to save money aren’t always when you’ll find the best selection.
Certain items sell well when a season is ending, and inventories are low. On the plus side, it’s probably the right time to find money-saving deals. The drawback is that savings might not necessarily translate into selection.
End of Winter
This is, by far, the most advantageous time to purchase a snowblower. The manufacturers are eager to get rid of excess inventory, there is still a good selection, and prices tend to be the lowest of the year. During January, you should walk in and look around to see if you can score deals up to 50 percent off.
The only drawback is that you might have to sacrifice a little in the selection, but unless you have a very specific need, it’s not worth worrying about. The plus side is that manufacturers want to make room for new items and are desperate to sell them. The downside is that, since the season is over, you won’t be able to use it until new snow falls. This is still the best time to buy a snow blower.
Middle of a Warm Winter
Usually, mid-winter is an average time to buy a snowblower. Yes, there’s a lot of selection, but manufacturers have you under their thumb when it comes to prices. However, if the winter has been mild and the snow hasn’t been falling, the advantage shifts back to you. It’s all about supply and demand – when the demand falls and the supply is increased, consumers have more control over prices.
A positive side to less snow is that there will be more snow blowers on hand, and this can lead to some good deals as stores attempt to reach their sales quotas. On the negative side, most winters tend to follow a pattern, so counting on a warm winter isn’t always a good idea.
Worst Time: Right Around a Snowfall
Most people have experienced Black Friday at some point and have a story to tell about huge crowds trying to empty the shelves and leaving the place looking like a mess. Or when the weather station predicts a hurricane or tornado, and people hurry madly to stock up on food. As a result of a sudden change in circumstances, the laws of supply and demand shift back in favor of the seller, and prices rise.
This is also true if you try to buy a snowblower right before or right after a major snowstorm. Tons of other people have the same idea, and you’ll be competing with them to buy snowblowers, and you will all be price gouged. Don’t wait for the snow to fall – be smart, plan ahead and keep the ball in your court.
That’s what you need to know about the best time to buy a snowblower. If your only concern is price, the best time to buy is in early fall or at the end of winter when manufacturers are trying to get rid of their inventory. You may be able to buy a snow blower at the other times of the year mentioned in this article, but the prices may not be as good. When buying a snowblower, look at your budget and check ads for different stores that sell snowblowers to see if you can find one that fits your budget. And try to avoid buying one
We hope this has helped inform you about the best time to buy a snow blower.