Our e-mail newsletter shares the latest programs and initiatives Consumer Reports will not sell or rent your email address to third parties. See our Privacy Policy.A bit of planning can save you a ton of money when it comes to buying throughout the year. Here’s your comprehensive, always up-to-date guide on the best times to buy everything this year. Click “Expand” on the graphic to get a closer look.You probably know that certain things are cheaper at certain times. Whether you’re buying airfare, dining out, shopping online, or buying anything else, there is often a “best time to buy.” Every year year, we compile a list of the best times to buy stuff based on when stores are trying to push out old stock, when they’re dropping prices for upcoming holidays, or even when they start having sales for no good reason. Check out the chart below for an easy view of the year, or read on for more details. ’s Best Time to Buy guide and PC World’s gadget-specific buying guide.
However, in an effort to make the guide as accurate as possible, we’ve gone searching for more specific, individual sources for each item to ensure you’re looking for deals at the right time (and gotten rid of the items for which there wasn’t clear consensus—like party supplies or aluminum cookware). So, for each item, click the source link for more specific information on when and how to buy. Also, if you’re looking for more specific up-to-the-minute news, we highly recommend checking out Dealnews’ monthly best time to buy feature—it’ll highlight a lot of the same stuff that we do here, but also discuss specific gadgets (like the newest iPad or the Xbox One and PlayStation 4). For a bigger overview of the year, read on! Apart from the above time periods, there are other days of the week or year that are best for buying certain items (which is great if you can’t wait three months for a new computer). We’ve mentioned a few of these around the site before, but in the interest of being comprehensive, here are some things to keep in mind:
And with all things, if you find an item you like, monitor it regularly. Things go on sale for no reason all the time, whether it’s a Shell Shocker on Newegg, the end of a clothing season, or when a particular product goes through a refresh (like Apple computers).That’s our big list for the year. We’ll be updating you at the beginning of each month, reminding you of the best things to buy, but this should help you plan for the year ahead. Tips For Buying A New Mattress 05/28/2015 3:29 pm EDT 06/23/2015 1:59 pm EDT In the market for a new mattress? In a sea of quilted beige cushion tops, it can be difficult to find the perfect mattress for your needs. Sure, we all know the basics: if you have a bad back, firmer is better, but if you want something that's cozy, foam is perfect for you. But even with the basics covered, a new poll by online mattress retailer Casper suggests Canadians just can't stand shopping for new mattresses, with more than 30 per cent saying they'd rather be nursing a hangover.
We can only assume they based the study on "The Hangover."Testing out mattresses doesn't seem like it would cause nightmares, but in a press release, Casper claimed only 22 per cent of Canadians actually found buying a mattress in store helpful. On the flip side, more than 40 per cent admit that having an extended period to try out the mattress at home would make buying a mattress much more enjoyable.Regardless of how you're doing it, buying a new mattress doesn't have to be complicated. In the slideshow below, we provide seven tips to help you find the perfect mattress. And if you're still struggling to find the right fit, we've also included our five favourite mattresses that will make you want to spend the whole day in bed.The Best Time To Buy a Mattress: Shop Smart and Save Big!Do you need to replace your mattress and wonder if there is a better time of the year to buy one? It's worth considering since it's rare to have a mattress-breakdown emergency. Instead, you start thinking you might sleep better on a new mattress, especially if yours is years beyond its warranty.
Usually, you consider it because you are moving or adding a bed to your household. If you check the ads, you see that mattresses are constantly on sale, so you don't have to look hard to find what purports to be a deal. Just remember: mattress prices are negotiable. Ask for a better deal, and you're likely to get it. That said, there really is a better time to find real deals on mattresses.May is the best month to buy a new mattress at a mattress showroom. The industry rolls out its new models in June through September, so they want to clear out the older models in May. Memorial Day weekend may be the best time to get a great deal, as it combines the month of May with another peculiar sales time for mattresses - holiday weekends.Retailers tend to have good mattress deals on the long weekends of national holidays - President's Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day. You might even snag good deals on bedding at the same time at January white sales around Martin Luther King Day weekend.
If you are going to shop online for a mattress, you won't be able to lie down on it and try it out. It pays to use the online sites for comparison shopping on the models you liked best in the showroom. You can use online sites to check the prices you see at retailers and get a good sense of what an actual discount price may be. Also, consider that you won't be able to negotiate a better deal as you can in a showroom, the stated price is the final price. If you find a better deal online, check the delivery details and return policy and conditions to make sure that all of the possible fees add up for real savings.Buying a Used MattressUnlike used appliances, buying a used mattress isn't often the best idea. You'll see mattresses included in many lists of things never to buy used. The big reason is bed bugs, which seem to be more and more common. You don't want them in your home, period. The second reason is that mattresses don't last forever. If you need a cheap substitute rather than a new mattress, consider a foam pad or air pillow mattress until you can afford a new one.