It's never too late to pick up a bargain – if you know when to buy

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jun/16/bargain-buyers-guide-camera-car

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Were you thinking of buying a sports car or a digital camera? Well, hold off until November on the former and, sorry, but you've just missed out on a bargain on the latter.

Throughout the year, retailers adjust their prices as demand for different items fluctuates, so you could save a packet by buying the aforementioned sports car in November and the camera in May. There are bargains to be had every month though, so, with a bit of planning, you could potentially save money all year round.

June

New televisions are generally released at the start of summer to coincide with the sporting season, so prices tend to drop on older models around that time. "With the World Cup this year lots of people will be in the market for a new TV so there should be some good deals around if you do your research," says Andrew Walker, UK country manager at Pricerunner.com.

July

When the sun is shining, winter is likely the last thing on your mind – but if you are thinking of making your home more energy efficient, now is the time to do it. "This market is very seasonal both for energy assessments and for the work itself," says Sarah McMonagle, spokeswoman at the Federation of Master Builders. "Naturally people react to the need for energy efficiency work when it gets cold, so it may be possible to get a better price during the summer months."

Heating engineers may also be less busy in the summer months and could be inclined to offer a cheaper quote.

If you are looking to buy a 4x4 vehicle, the (hopefully) warm weather this month means you are more likely to be successful when haggling for a better deal due to supply and demand. These hardier vehicles are easier for dealers to shift – and so are more expensive – in the wet and chilly months. Conversely, if you are in line for a convertible see November, below.

August

When it comes to buying bricks and mortar, the end of the summer often means lower prices. "The autumn market is rarely as strong as the spring market, so the vendor has run out of time if the property has been on sale for several months," says Hugo Thistlethwayte, the managing director of buying agency Prime Purchase. "As they will have to pay to re-market the property into a weaker autumn market, August can be a great time to get the vendor to move on the price."

September

Back-to-school sales means looking for a discount on printers, mobile phones and laptops is easy during the first part of this month. What's more, shopping at the end of the summer could save you as much as a third on a desktop computer, according to figures from Pricerunner.

October

If you are after a new lawnmower, grill or garden furniture, October is a great time to look for a deal. According to consumer group Which?, retailers have to make room for all their winter gear this month, so summer staples get their prices slashed.

November

If you are shopping for a sports car, this is great time to grab a bargain due to the cold weather. As convertibles are most expensive during the summer months, by shopping in the winter you will save a bundle. This is down to supply and demand – in the summer, car dealers give smaller discounts on brand new convertibles due to increased customer interest, while second-hand sellers do not need to drop price to make a sale at this time.

December

The run up to Christmas is the best time to secure a good deal on a new car, as this period is between new plate releases and the dealerships will be quiet. Further add to your savings and make your purchase in the final days of the month, as the dealership will do everything they can to complete a sale, says Kieren Puffett, editor at Parkers.

Tradesmen such as painters and decorators tend to be cheaper to hire in the winter months, as they are unable to carry out external decoration so are relying solely on internal works to keep their business going. "Some construction firms admit to offering slightly more competitive prices in the winter months as depending on the trade, there may be less work around and more builders fighting for it," says McMonagle.

January

The January sales are known for bargain prices, but this is especially true when it comes to gadgets according to Which?. Now is the time to snap up deals on new televisions, satnavs, cameras, printers and DVD players.

This month is also a great opportunity to get your hands on second-hand gadgets as people sell off unwanted Christmas gifts or old models that have been replaced.

February

If you're looking to upgrade your household appliances, February is best for a bargain as that is when new models are rolled out. Snap up cheap end–of-the-line products such as washing machines, fridge freezers and dishwashers this month, says Which?.

Also, if you are planning on sending flowers to someone special on Valentine's Day, the earlier you place your order, the less you will pay – it could save you as much as 20% as the later you order them, the more you will have to pay to make sure they get there on time.

March

March is an ideal month to look for a bargain on a used car, says Puffett. "Shop for a used car right after the new registrations come out as dealers would have taken in a lot of part exchanges against new cars," he says. The increase in supply means that buyers this month will be in a better position to haggle the price down.

April

If you like hunting for a bargain in charity shops, get your hands on some great stuff this month as many households do their spring cleaning in April - which means these not-for-profit retailers will be getting a lot of new inventory.

Around Easter is a good time to look for DIY deals, as retailers are keen to get your custom and offer attractive discounts.

May

This month is a great time to save on a digital camera, says Walker. "Manufacturers tend to update their ranges at the end of spring so it is a good time to get a deal on older camera models as retailers try to clear out stock," he says. This year, for instance, the average cost of a digital camera dropped by a third between January and May.

Walker says this happens again in autumn when new models come out in time for Christmas, so you can snap up some bargains then too.