(Photo: Thinkstock)BicyclesThe riding season winds down for most people as cold weather arrives, so you may think that bicycles are ripe for discounts. You're right -- if you wait until after the holiday rush. By then, discounts will be steep on older models.
Shops are more likely to throw in a few extra free accessories because they are looking for business during the slow winter months. Plus, fewer customers mean you’ll get more personal service.
(Photo: Thinkstock)Cars
Forget the notion of waking up on Christmas morning to find a new car in the driveway. Instead, think New Year’s Eve (during business hours, of course) to get the best deal.
Car dealers are in the mood to haggle and clear their inventory before year-end to make room for new models and earn manufacturer incentives. TrueCar, which collects automobile data, estimates prices on vehicles nationwide will average 9% below sticker price on December 31.
Looking for a used car? Hold off until April for the best deals. It’s the month dealers tend to buy the most at auction, giving you the best selection.
(Photo: Thinkstock)Cruises
Cold weather may spark thoughts of cruising through the warm seas of the Caribbean. But you can get the best deal if you wait until "wave season," from January to March, to book a summer cruise, says Jaime Freedman, of TravelZoo, a travel Web site.
You’ll find an onslaught of deals as cruise lines compete for customers. Rising airfares have made cruises, with their all-inclusive pricing, increasingly enticing, says Freedman.
(Photo: Thinkstock)Luggage
The months after the holidays are a quiet period for vacations, so stores tend to lower prices on luggage. If you need to replace a beat-up roll-on that’s been tossed around too many times by airline baggage handlers, February and March are the best times to buy.
