When we buy something new, we always look for the best deal. But the definition of “best deal” depends highly on the item in question.
For example, seasonal items such as tents and other camping gear tend to have a decent deal if you know when to buy. So, what is the best time to buy a tent and other camping gear?
The best time to buy a tent depends on the factor you are prioritizing the most. If you want the best deal moneywise, then buying one near the end of the season is the best time for it.
But if you consider quality over money, then the beginning of the season or even slightly before the season is the best time to buy a tent. Early to midseason is the safest time to invest in a tent, because during the time, the demand is at its highest and so is the supply.
You can occasionally find a decent discount. But most importantly, you will get the latest model and the best quality you can expect from the brand. That’s the general idea of it. Let me break it down further for easy understanding.
Best Time To Buy A Tent On Sale
As I mentioned before, the best time to buy a decent tent on sale is just after the season ends. Around this time, many companies want to sell the last few products to empty their shelves and make room for other products.
And to speed up the process, they put the items on decent or even great discounts. Keep an eye open.
1. Winter Tent And Camping Gear
March and April are usually the best time to hunt for a winter tent at a great discount. As winter is nearly over, most people already have their tents and had their adventures.
Very few people will actively search for a new one. So, all the winter gears in the market go on sale. So, if you are looking for a winter tent, keep your eyes open around March and April.
2. Summer Tents On Sale
Similar to the winter gear, most, if not all, summer gear is on sale around September and October. As the summer passes by and the temperature starts dwindling, so does the demand for summer gear.
Companies start producing winter gear, and they need inventory space to store and sell the new products. To make the room, they usually start selling leftover items on a great deal around September and October.
3. Holidays And Special Days
There are holidays and other special days all year round. They are an excellent time to look for things on sale. You can expect to find all sorts of items on sale on these days, including tents and other camping gear.
Companies do this to boost their sales and to get some more exposure. Usually, summer holidays offer a discount on summer products and the same for winter, but if you are lucky, you can come by some coupons or discounts that are good for all products on the retail.
You can snatch an excellent deal for yourself this way, especially if the off-season item has its own discount and the two discounts stack. This brings me to my next point.
3. Ask Questions
It is always a good idea to ask if there is any discount or bonus. You never know what you may come by. If you are buying it from a physical store or company outlet, be sure to ask them first if there is a deal available.
More often than you think, you can find actual deals that’ll make it worth it to buy the product.
Best Time To Buy The Best Quality Tent
Rather than getting the optimum quality against price ratio, if you prioritize quality and can live with paying a little extra, then the best time to buy a tent will be different from what I mentioned above. Those timings are solely focused on making the most bangs for the buck.
If you want the best quality product, you should head out early in the season. Around that time, the majority of the companies start producing the product and selling them fresh. You can rest assured knowing that you are getting the latest fashion and top-notch quality.
As a bonus, you will definitely get a whole bunch of items to choose from. Options are plenty at the beginning of a season.
To Get Winter Tents
The best time to get the best quality winter tent is late November or December. Around this time, most of the companies are done dealing with the leftover summer gear and start producing winter products, including tents.
Besides marketing newly made products, they also bring out the newest fashion products, so you are guaranteed to be up to date with the ongoing trends.
For Summer Tents
For summer tents and other camping gear, be sure to head to the market around June. June and July are the prime time to seek your dream summer tent. Supplies are plenty, stocks are full, and some brands will often offer discounts to boost their sales.
You will have more stores and outlets to visit, and each of them will have plenty of models and options to choose from. The shops are well supplied, so you will also get additional accessories and complimentary items like the footprint, some poles, etc. as well.
Keep An Eye On Forums And Discussions
By connecting with the community, you will get to know the ins and outs of the product, the trend, what is good, and what is not. You cannot single-handedly try and evaluate every single product to siphon the best one out.
But with the help of the community, you can. So, don’t be shy to open up. Be frank and ask questions. Talk to people before settling on a deal. Listen to their experiences and share yours.
Caution
When you are focusing on the quality of a product, you are going to get a lot less wiggle room regarding price. So, be ready to pay a little extra compared to someone who’ll buy the same product a couple of months later, at the end of the season.
You will still have space to bargain a little, but it usually doesn’t work very well at the peak of the season when there are plenty of customers.
Conclusion
You can save a handsome amount of money by purchasing camping gear in the suitable time of the year. So, which one is better, going for the best deal or going for the best quality? In all honesty, that depends on you.
If you have a tent to get you going, you can stall the purchasing process a little and strike a magnificent deal a couple of months later, when demand is not as high. But if you are starting or don’t have a tent to stall for time, I don’t think it’s worth it to wait and let the season go by.
But one thing, I know for sure, if you are paying a little extra at the peak of a season, do extend the budget a bit more and go for a product that will last longer. You will get not only a longer service life but also a more comfortable time. All in all, assess your time and resources and decide what is best for you. Peace.
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