Clark Howard

What to Buy and not buy in September

By Alex Thomas Sadler
By Alex Thomas Sadler

September is just the beginning of the year’s best deals season — and it’s a great time to buy a variety of items.

What to Buy

All summer apparel and goods

Labor Day weekend marks the end of the summer season, which means huge discounts on summer-related products — from patio furniture to summer clothing. You can expect to see big sales from all large retailers, in stores and online, and even from designer brands. According to DealNews, BCBG took 50% off sitewide with free shipping  during Labor Day sales last year, which has only been offered once since then. For more details, check out DealNews' Labor Day buying guide.

Previous- Generation iPhones

Another September, another Apple announcement.  Apple's 10th anniversary for its iPhone is approaching and its new iPhone, the iPhone 8, will be unveiled- So previous generation iPhones, will be available on deep discount at all of the big retailers (Walmart, eBay, Best Buy). Check out Clark's guide to selling old gadgets if you're ready to upgrade and want to make some extra cash on your old phone.

Laptops

According to DealNews, laptop prices typically drop an extra 8% to 25% in early September.  The deal aggregator site says to check out Best Buy and eBay for deals on Macs, while the Microsoft Store will likely offer the best deals on Windows laptops.

Grills, outdoor appliances, patio furniture

As the summer comes to an end, look out for big deals on grills from Target and Sears. Check out Consumer Reports’ Grill Buying Guide for tips on what kind of grill is best for you.
Plus, according to DealNews, prices on outdoor furniture are at their lowest during this time of year and sales will peak by Labor Day weekend. Also, check out Home Depot for deals on outdoor appliances like leaf blowers.

Read More: Best gas grills starting at under $200

32″ or 55″ HDTVs

According to DealNews' data, deals on 32″ 1080p HDTVs hit their lowest price points in September. DealNews says prices fell to  $100 last September .

Those looking for something larger should look forward to great discounts on 55″ HDTV's , which DealNews says last year prices of 4k sets were as low as $350. 

Outside of those potential deals, wait until November for best TV buys. Meanwhile, check out Clark's TV Buying Guide.

Coffee

September 29 is National Coffee Day! So make sure you’re on the lookout for discounts and freebies tied to to the coffee-lovers’ holiday.

Read more:  How to deep clean your Keurig

Holiday airfare/ Cruises

If you think it’s too soon to begin looking for holiday travel airfares, think again. Clark says August can be the best time, but at this point, the earlier the better! If you wait too long, you could miss out on the best deals, as prices will only go up from here! Check out Today’s Hot Travel Deals.

Cars

September can be a great time to find a bargain on a car as dealers get ready to stock up on newer models. As we approach the end of the year, car dealers want to reduce inventories of older models — making it a great time for you to find big discounts. But remember, as inventories are waning, your options become more limited, so don’t wait too long.

Major financing companies are also offering better rates this time of the year– Toyota and Honda are giving special offers on leasing and financing among many more manufactures, according to stltoday.com 

Read more: The Top Safest Cars on the Road 

Lawn mowers

September is a great time to buy mowers, since stores would rather sell them to you for 40% off than have to store them. And when considering what type to buy, Consumer Reports' latest tests show that  'more horsepower doesn't necessarily mean higher-quality mowing.' The best mower for you will depend on the size and shape of your lawn. Check out Consumer Reports' buying guide for more information on different types of mowers.

Wine

September is a great time to stock up on wine! According to Forbes, 'The fall harvest season, when most vineyards release their latest vintages, offers the best selection.' So– while the new year's wine starts to hit the shelves, the previous year's wine will go on sale! 

Things that are Worth the Wait

Electronics

Although 32″ and 55″ HDTV's have good discounts during September, it is best to wait until Black Friday deals come out to get the rest of your electronics. According to USAToday.com,  55″ Sharp LED smart TVs were even lower at Best Buy for only $249.99 during last year's Black Friday sale.

New iPhones or Samsung Galaxy

The new iPhone 8 is expected to release sometime soon in the Fall and could cost over $1,000. DealNews.com reports that we probably wont see any discounts on the new iPhone until Black Friday week  since the iPhone 7 didn't drop in price until November 22 last year.

If you’re looking for deals on the new Samsung Galaxy 8 Note Tablet or the Samsung 7, waiting until Cyber Monday will be your best bet!

Kitchen Appliances

There will be good deals in September, but the best deals for kitchen appliances will be in November. The best deals of the year for appliances will be on Thanksgiving day, and, according to DealNews, consumers saved up to 90% savings in previous years– So it’s worth the wait!

Read More: 7 kitchen appliances that can save you serious money

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