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Buy now, wait or skip: November and December verdicts

A one-table list of common purchases with a buy now, wait or skip the sale verdict for the November and December shopping window, with exceptions.

Rania Khelifi3 min read

A shopping cart with a handwritten list on top
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay
Verdict: Buy five things, wait on three, skip the rest. Verdicts below are typical patterns for November and December, and sale timing changes each year.

The table

PurchaseVerdictUsual reasonException
TVsBuy nowNovember is a common low pointSkip if the model is brand new
LaptopsBuy nowHoliday and student promotions overlapWait if a new model is days away
Small appliancesBuy nowHeavily promoted as giftsSkip if the "deal" matches last month
ToysBuy now for popular onesHot items sell outWait for the rest
Holiday decorWaitLeftovers are marked down after the dayBuy now for items you need this year
Winter coatsWaitJanuary clearance is often deeperBuy now if the cold is here
Fitness gearWaitNew-year clearance is typicalBuy now if it is a gift
VacuumsBuy nowCleaning season and holiday salesSkip if the price is flat all year

Compare the same list across the year in the best time to buy 10 common things.

Who each verdict is for

Buy now is for shoppers with a target price and a model already chosen. If you meet the target, take it.

Wait is for items with no deadline. Waiting costs nothing when you do not need the item this month.

Skip the sale is for items where the event discount is thin, the model is old or the price history shows the same number all year.

Three rules for the exceptions

  1. Need beats timing. A fridge that stopped working does not wait for January.
  2. Last year's model usually wins over this year's sale. See the best time to buy 10 common things for why.
  3. A price you cannot return is a price you cannot trust. Read the returns and price adjustment guide first.

For the detail behind the event itself, see Black Friday: what is real and what is hype.

How do you use this table?

Pick the two or three things you plan to buy. Find each row, note the verdict and look up the price history for the exact model. Set a target price and write it down. If the price meets it, buy and keep the receipt. If it does not, wait and look again. See how to check price history before you buy for the method.

A worked example

These numbers are round and made up. You want a small appliance for a gift. The table says buy now. Your chart shows $80 for three months and a $60 dip last year. Your target is $60. A banner says $70, so you wait a week. If the price reaches $60, buy. If it does not by the gift deadline, buy at $70 and keep the receipt.

Quick questions

Are these verdicts guaranteed?

No. They are typical patterns, and sales change each year. Check the retailer for the current offer.

What if my item is not on the list?

Use the price-history check and set a target price. The same rule works for any product.

Should I buy a gift now or wait?

Buy now if it can sell out or has a deadline. Wait if the price usually drops and you have time.

What about returns?

Read the store's return window before you pay. A short window can cancel a good price.

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