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End of summer clearance: what to buy and what to skip

End of summer clearance is a good time to buy some things and a bad time to buy others. Here is a simple list of what to buy, wait on and skip.

Mathieu Roux4 min read

A clearance sign hanging above outdoor furniture in a store
Image by multifacetedgirl from Pixabay
Verdict: Buy seasonal items you will keep, skip the rest. Clearance is cheap because the season is over. That only helps if you can store the item well.

End of summer clearance can be a good deal or a trap. Items marked down are items that stores do not want to hold over winter. That is the saving. The risk is buying things you will not use, or that lose value while they sit in the garage.

Dates change each year, so watch the price rather than a calendar.

What is worth buying at summer clearance?

Items that are seasonal, durable and easy to store:

A grill with a cover next to stacked patio chairs
Cover and store it well and the saving holds.Image by ulleo from Pixabay

Ruling: Buy if it lasts and you have room to store it.

What should you skip?

Skip items that go out of date, spoil or change fast:

  • Sunscreen, if it will expire before use. Check the date on the bottle.
  • Electronics that update each year.
  • Children's clothes if sizes will change.
  • Anything you do not have room for.

Ruling: Skip anything that will not be the right size, date or model by next year.

How do you tell a real markdown from a fake one?

Use the price-history check. Look at the last 30 days, the last 90 days and the last big event for the exact item. If the "was" price on the tag was never charged, the sale is not real. For more, see how to spot a fake sale before you buy.

A worked example

These numbers are round and made up. A patio set shows "was $600, now $400". The price history shows it sat at $450 for two months. The real saving is $50, not $200. That might still be good, but it is not what the tag says.

Ruling: Judge by the history, not the tag.

What about storage?

Plan where it will go before you buy. A grill or table set needs a dry place or a good cover. If you have no space, the saving can vanish in damage. Also check the return window and whether clearance is final sale.

A garage shelf with neatly stored outdoor items
Storage is part of the price.Image by igorovsyannykov from Pixabay

When does the answer flip?

If you need the item now, such as a replacement fan in a heat spell, buy it. If a clearance price is close to the usual low and the item is on your list for next year, buy. If it is not on your list, skip it.

What are common mistakes?

  • Buying because the tag says "clearance", not because you need it.
  • Forgetting to check the model year.
  • Ignoring final sale rules.
  • Buying more than you can store.

How do you make a clearance list?

Before you walk in, write a short list of what you will need next year. Add the sizes, the room you have and your cap. This stops the "it is so cheap" buys. When something not on the list catches your eye, wait a day. Most of the time the urge fades.

If you do break the list, ask three questions. Will I use it within a year? Do I have a place to keep it? Would I pay this price in spring? If any answer is no, leave it.

Ruling: If it is not on the list, sleep on it.

Quick questions

Is end of summer clearance a good time to buy?

For durable seasonal items, often yes. For short-life items, usually no.

Is clearance the same as a sale?

Not quite. Clearance means the store is clearing stock, and sizes or colors may be limited.

Can I return clearance items?

It depends on the store. Some mark clearance as final sale, so read the policy first.

When does summer clearance start?

Usually late summer and into early fall. Dates change each year.

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