When’s the Best Time to Buy a TV?

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So, it’s finally time to upgrade your TV. Maybe you want a bigger screen to watch your favorite teams play. Or your old TV is on its last leg. No matter what’s on your TV wish list you don’t have to spend top dollar to find one that checks all the boxes. You just have to know the best time to buy a TV. Fortunately, you have several opportunities to save big throughout the year.

Black Friday

When it comes to getting the best deal on a new TV, you’ll score the biggest savings on Black Friday. Many retailers kick off the holiday shopping season by offering deeply discounted TVs as “doorbuster” deals. You may have to put up with large crowds and stand on long lines, but you can save as much as 50 percent off the original price.

Super Bowl

The Big Game deserves a big screen TV or at least that’s what retailers want you to believe. Either way you’ll find good deals on TVs ranging from 49 to 65 inches in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. So, plan your shopping trip around late January/early February. According to Consumer Reports, it’s the second-best time to buy a TV.

When new models are released

Most TV manufacturers begin rolling out new models in early spring. During this time, you can expect a price drop on prior year models because retailers want to make room on their shelves.

Amazon Prime Day

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, the best time to buy a TV is Prime Day which usually occurs in July. You’ll find discounts and flash deals on tons of items including laptops, Amazon devices and of course TVs. Last year they had a Toshiba 50-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV – Fire TV Edition on sale for only $289.99.

TV buying tips

If you don’t have time to wait, here are some tips that can save you money year-round.

Check it out in person. Don’t just buy a TV because you saw an advertisement online and the price is right. Swing by your local retailer to see the size, features and picture quality with your own two eyes. Also make sure it will fit well in the room you want. Doing so can prevent you from making a costly mistake.
Shop around. Whether you’re shopping online, or in-store always check multiple retailers to compare prices before making a purchase.
Buy “open-box”. Just as the name implies these are items whose packaging have been opened. Often the item was returned but not because of damage. The buyer may have simply changed their mind. If the retailer inspects it and decides the TV is in good working condition, they’ll resell it at a steep discount.
Earn cash back. Save even more money when you shop by taking advantage of offers from cash back sites or apps. The percentage will vary based on the store.