There's nothing like a barbecue on a hot summer day, but we say grilling season should last all year.
If you live in the coldest, snowiest of climates, sure, there are a few months you do have to keep that grill covered, but the season truly can last longer than July and August.
Put on your hoodie and get out there in November, and don't be shy about warming up your wintery fingers over the grill in early spring.
When you're determined to stretch out the grilling season, you'll not only be eating yummy, grill-marked veggies and meats most of the year, you're also more likely to get a deal when you need to upgrade your old grill or get your very first one.
Here are the best times of the year to score the best deal on a brand-new grill:
Late July and August
Retailers tend to beef up their inventory of barbeque supplies, including grills, in anticipation of Independence Day.
But if you can wait until the big day has passed, you will save a nice chunk of change on a grill since a bulk of the remaining goods must be cleared out.
And retailers often go the extra mile to free up space, even if it means offering these items at a steeply reduced rate. In fact, sales from home improvement stores have featured grills for 70 percent off the original price during this time of year.
September
This is usually the time of year when the prices tend to reach their lowest points at all types of stores.
The summer is now a thing of the past and students have returned to their respective schools and college campuses. Others are getting back into the swing of things and preparing for the winter months, so the last thing on their wish list is a grill.
While this is not a plus for retailers, it's definitely a great opportunity for you because as demand decreases, so do price points.
Host a tailgating party in your backyard with the football game on the porch and your new grill on display and ready to fire up. And be sure to check out the Labor Day sales since you may be able to find a grill anywhere between 15 and 50% off the original price.
Winter Months
Any surplus of grills not sold beforehand is practically liquidated during the winter months. The demand is low, but if you're smart, this is when you're willing to buy one.
Another suggestion: try searching for a grill during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales events, as this is the last item on the minds of most consumers. Last year, a big box discounter offered a brand-named grill at 40% off the suggested retail price. And a few were still available at my local store well into the evening hours.
Regardless of when you decide to purchase a new grill, refrain from shopping during the months of March through June to avoid the price hikes that result from the influx of consumers eager to jumpstart their summer fun. Hopefully, by that point, you already have yours set up.
Allison Martin is a contributing writer at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Allison Martin at allison@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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