Best time for stove bargains?

[Bobcatter]

I'm in a rural area, so shopping for wood stoves is basically an hour away. I'm in the market for updating a wood stove and made a road trip today (Sunday) to check out stoves. I don't have to buy today, I'm looking for a bargain. I stopped by a Home Depot that had their wood stoves 50% off but only had the smallest Englander left. I stopped by a Lowes and they were sold out (I saw on here that some Lowes had them 50% off also) I stopped at another Home Depot and they were at regular price with the customer service lady a little put off by my questions of their upcoming clearance sales. The stove dealers were closed, and yes, they deserve a day off.

What are your experiences at stove dealers? Is this the time to find a "close out deal"? Or would it be better to shop in a month when spring is arriving here in the north? What about waiting for summer or fall "specials"? Any thoughts on when to buy a stove for the best deal? February? March? June? September?

BTW, Pellet Users: Home Depot had wood pellets at $300 a ton. The clerk said "yes, finally-- NOW we have them... " But wow, without a supply or at this price I will not consider a pellet stove. I used to think they were a good idea, but we can get wood around here without too much trouble.

 

[dougand3]

Only stove dealer in town here doesn't have "clearance" sales.....he has lots of storage in back, hence, no need to free up floor space. BB stores need that seasonal space for spring products, therefore, gotta get those stoves outa there.

 

[Bobcatter]

Thanks for the input, I'll just have to make the rounds of the dealers in the next couple of months and see what I can find.

 

[woodconvert]

I'm in a rural area, so shopping for wood stoves is basically an hour away.

What are your experiences at stove dealers? Is this the time to find a "close out deal"? Or would it be better to shop in a month when spring is arriving here in the north? What about waiting for summer or fall "specials"? Any thoughts on when to buy a stove for the best deal? February? March? June? September?

I went "lookin' for lookins' sake" in December around here and Lowes and HD had clearanced everything away already. I called a couple dealers on a few different larger woodstoves just for giggles...they all said there was no stock, hadda order it and the quotes I got back I have to say December for sure isn't the time. I have to believe, though, that with things as they are...you should be able to go into a dealer and haggle. If you are serious and have the cash...they want/need it.

 

[lexybird]

go to lowes right now they have stoves on clearance in most areas next week it will be home depot 50% or more

 

[Bobcatter]

I found out each Home Depot can/will do different things. My closest already had their clearance and they are all gone. The next one has a pretty good stock, but no sale yet. Lexybird, do you know if H.D will start their sale on Friday of this week? It's an hour and half drive, don't know if it's worth the gamble. They could all go in a half hour once the sign is posted.

Woodconvert, thanks for the input. I think I will wait till the end of February and try that technique. You know, when the snow is melting and people are starting to think of spring. Maybe I will find a dealer that wants to make "one more sale" and we can come to terms.

 

[fsr4538]

I am not so sure that the stove dealers will not have sales as they need to generate cash flow to purchase next years stock. I was able to find an Avalon Arbor on Sunday for 500 off list. I picked it up. Now I will have my spring project, rebuilding the hearth and installing the stove.

Good luck.

Forrest

 

[begreen]

Now is a very good time to be on the look out for bargains. There are several sales happening. Peak stove sales for the season are over and few places want to carry a large inventory over the summer.

 

[rijim]

I just purchased a Jotul F400 from a local dealer; it appears the mfg is looking to lower inventories, at least in this area, saved about $300.00. I went to a number of shops and their inventory was limited and prices not discounted; all claim the same thing order now they expect a price increase in spring. I did not go to Lowes or HD, being new to wood stoves I wanted to have access to after sales support.


Jim

 

[SaratogaJJ]

In my case, I went shopping last year in late April/early May. Didn't want to go the HD or Lowe's route, so I went to some local dealers - I probably visited half a dozen or so in the area.

Long story short, I was able to get my stove that was discounted because the dealer wasn't going to continue selling that particular model, and he was looking to get rid of inventory. So he ended up cutting 15% off the list price, which I thought was reasonably fair.

Also, since it was right at the end of heating season, getting it installed was pretty easy - the dealers I visited all seemed to have quite a bit of time on their hands between late April and early June. Too soon for chimney cleanings & servicings, and too late for stove & accessory sales. Definitely their 'shoulder season.'

 

[Bobcatter]

Thanks all. I was talking this over with some guys at work today, and we thought there were several future variables: the price of oil will go up (probably by summer vacation drives!), people are upset with pellet stoves ( no pellets/high prices), our stove dealers do other things (like lawn mowers), continued bad economy may put some stove manufacturers out of business (not selling any for new houses or to laid off people).

So...... time to check around and see what I can get at the end of February -- shop for a bargain. Sometime in March their show rooms will be set for summer.

The next best time might be any preseason sales this fall. We'll see, what an adventure.... I'll post the results of what i find in the next couple of weeks.

 

[fullbore]

You might find a few stoves still available at Lowes. I picked up an Englander last year at half price that I have listed in the for sale threads...

 

[burntime]

I like the price increase thing...metal is down, big time! The economy is down too. If they keep the price high to hit a home run they will not be there next year. Prices really have gotten out of line for what you get. I am not talking the Home depot stoves or lowes....the dealer stoves are nuts. My hampton is going for 5k by me. Thats with a liner. At that rate just turn the gas on and save the work! I bought for a little over half of that. And that much money was too much in my opinion, but I wanted the unit. I hear those englanders are really decent units... Ask BrotherBart, I think he feeds one!

 

[wellbuilt home]

You can expect 10 to 25% off list price . I could have had Equinox floor model for 2700 dollars last march . I payed 3000 on July 5th for a new one dropped on the back of my truck I'm looking for a homestead now with 25' of pipe and in stole its looking like 3500 dollars will get it done . I may in stole the unit my self .I think now will be a good time to buy . I think the dealer deserve to make a profit that's why they are in business John

 

[Bobcatter]

Thanks. I started another thread with my shopping experience and summary:

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/35164/

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Local Lowes still is not discounting stoves. Kero heaters are on 25% though.

Matt

 

[begreen]

To answer the OP. Now is a good time and so is a hot August weekday morning. Look for the salesman playing solitaire.