When is the best time to buy things on sale?

In bargain shopping, timing is everything. Scoring a great deal isn’t always just about luck though. Did you know that most of retail sales actually centre on a sales cycle? If you can time that cycle, you can generally get some good deals.

As a general rule, if you can buy something off season you’ll save big bucks (think winter clothes as spring approaches, bikes in the fall, holiday décor the week after Christmas, etc.). But there are some items that benefit from even more shopping strategy

Here are some tips on when the best time is to make certain purchases in Canada.

Car

Did you know that the day of the month and even the day of the week can factor into how much money you’ll save buying a car? If you wait until the end of the month, you may fare better, as car salespeople may be trying to reach quotas and more likely to make a deal. Similarly, if you shop for a car during the week, as opposed to on the weekend, you’ll likely pay less too.

Fitness Equipment

If you are on the hunt for a new treadmill or other piece of fitness equipment, you’ll probably get the best price in January. Fitness retailers try to cash in on the vast number of New Year’s Resolutions that involve getting fit and/or losing weight.

This isn’t necessarily the case if you are looking for a gym membership. They tend to be cheaper in the summer months, as people begin to work out more outside.

Electronics

Depending on what you are shopping for, Black Friday is almost always the time to get serious discounts on electronics and similar big ticket items.

Flights

The best time to book a flight is usually from 30 to 60 days before you fly. Flights tend to be cheaper when you book them midweek.