Thread: When to buy?

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Okay. Halloween is approaching and the stores are starting to put stuff out. My delima is should I buy now or wait? I see items on the shelf and there are only so many of each. I like to have it but really don't want to pay full price. But if I wait till it goes on sale there is a chance that it wont be there. Do any of you have the same problem of when to buy?

I do. I've waited too long before and really regretted it.

I'd keep an eye out for awhile, hunt for coupons for the things you really want, and hold off on stuff that you think is cool but no one else in the world does because not only does it not sell but the display starts gathering dust. Wait for clearance on those. I'm a late/clearance shopper myself but it really is a bit too early for those impulse buys unless it's something like the skull glasses at Ross that they only seem to get one or two of each in.

Anything at michaels you like? Get the 40% off coupon (or the rare 50% if they even do them anymore) and go buy it NOW.

They put halloween things on sale like 10-20% off starting in september or so, and that will prevent you from using the really good coupons (they prohibit using on any sale items).

Find something elsewhere that just absolutely completes your haunt or you fall in love with? Buy it now. You can always check to see if they put it on sale any time soon (most stores honor a refund of the difference if they put something on sale within a 30 day period), but check with them about store policy. I'd rather get something I HAD to have at full price than miss it waiting around for it to go down.

Stuff you like, but not in love with? Wait. There is a good chance that lots of the stuff will go on sale, or have a coupon or something like that. You just have to keep up with it and check out the sites and stores. Don't do something cheesy like hiding something elsewhere in the store (that's just wrong and adds to the work of the underpaid retail stocker), but if they start running low on an item and it hasn't gone on sale or they expect no more shipments, that may be your cue to get the item.

Originally Posted by Frankie's Girl

I'd rather get something I HAD to have at full price than miss it waiting around for it to go down.

Pretty much sums it up right there!

I agree with the 'get it if you love it'. If it is a chain store you can ask if they can check inventory at other stores. Some will ship to your store or you might have to travel to the other one.

I never wait more than a week to buy something.

Originally Posted by Deerkist

I agree with the 'get it if you love it'.

Amen. Too many times I've seen something I really want but trying to save a few bucks I would wait until it went on sale to get it, only to end up not able to find it anymore. It's fine to do comparisons and shop around, but if it's something you love go ahead and pull the trigger. Don't wait for it to go on clearance only to miss out completely.

The only place I am waiting for is spirit.com.That is because I want some sort of coupon to use.In a bricks and mortor store if I wanted it I would buy it.

Originally Posted by katshead42

I do. I've waited too long before and really regretted it.

I generally buy the "must haves" as early as I can, but I always figure I can get the "nice to haves" closer to Halloween and hope they go on sale in the meantime.

Now it seems like some stores are clearing their Halloween by first week in October to make room for Christmas. Michael's hasn't had much at all by October 20th the last couple years.