Best time to buy patio furniture and grills

Verdict: Wait until late summer or fall, unless you need it for a party. Stores clear stock when the season ends.

The best time to buy patio furniture and grills is the end of the season. Spring and early summer bring the most choice and the highest demand. By September, retailers want space for fall and winter goods, so they mark down what is left. Dates change each year, so check the retailer for the current offer.

When do patio furniture and grills get cheaper?

In general:

• Late summer to early fall. The most common window for outdoor clearance.
• Holiday weekends. Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day sales often include outdoor items. The depth varies.
• Fall and winter. Leftover stock can be very cheap, but choice is thin.

If you buy at the end, plan for storage. Outdoor items need a dry place until spring, or a good cover.

What matters more than the discount?

For furniture: - Material. Metal, wood and plastic weather differently. Metal can rust if the finish is thin. Wood needs care. The maker's care page tells you. - Cushions. They are often the first thing to wear out. Ask if covers can be washed. - Stability. Wobbly chairs are hard to fix.

For grills: - Fuel type. Charcoal is cheaper to buy and takes longer to start. Gas heats fast and costs more upfront. - Size. Match it to how many people you cook for. - Build. Thin metal and loose grates are signs of a short life.

How do you judge the sale?

Use the price-history check from how to check price history before you buy. For seasonal goods, look at the same month last year. Remember that many outdoor items are sold in one model year, so there is no "new model" to wait for.

A worked example

These numbers are round and made up. A four-chair patio set is $400 in June and $300 in September, and you do not need it until next May. Buying in September saves about $100. Add $30 for a cover and a spot in the garage. The saving is still $70. If you have nowhere to keep it dry, the cover is the cost to plan for.

When should you not wait?

Buy now if you have a party, a move or a broken grill. Also buy now if a model you want sells out, since seasonal stock does not return. If the price meets your target, take it.

For a wider view of the calendar, see the best time to buy 10 common things.

What about assembly and delivery?

Large items arrive in boxes and take time to build. Check who delivers, what the fee is and whether returns need the original box. Keep the packaging until the return window ends.

Common mistakes

• Buying without a place to store it.
• Ignoring the cushion care.
• Choosing a grill that is too small or too large.
• Skipping the return terms for oversized items.

Is it worth buying the display model?

Sometimes. Floor models can be cheaper, but they may be missing parts or have scratches. Ask what is included, check the warranty, and test the stability. For grills, make sure the burners and grates are all there. Ask if the return policy is the same as for a boxed one. If the answers are unclear, buy a sealed one.

A quick ruling

Take a display model only if the saving is real, the parts are complete and the warranty is the same.