When to Buy - Advice from an Expert

Timing is everything on when to buy. Especially when it comes to buying what you need or want during the holiday season! Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon author, Mark Di Vincenzo interviewed with Chris Wragge of the Early Show in their "Saturday Bargainista" segment. Mark Di Vincenzo revealed there are 400-500 tips in his book subtitled When to Buy This, Do This, and Go There. He answered something for every sector of consumer during Christmas and New Year's. Read here for useful information on when to buy, travel, and do almost anything.

Champagne

When to buy champagne at a good rate? Surprisingly, champagne is priced lower during Christmas and New Year's. Mark Di Vincenzo told Early Show the cost goes down because of fierce competition amongst manufacturers. When manufacturers reduce prices, stores follow suit.

Wedding Dresses

Wedding dress stores stock up on new inventory in anticipation for engagements around Christmas and New Year's. As a result, customers don't usually shop for wedding dresses until January, February, or March. Mark Di Vincenzo added, if you shop in December, you're in a good position to negotiate on dresses that have been in stock prior to the store's new arrivals. Brides will have their answer in when to buy a wedding dress!

New Vehicles

For auto dealerships, new models arrive in August or September. This is when to buy, to say the least. Clearing out inventory for new models puts the consumer in a better position for great deals on a car or truck.

Televisions

Televisions get discounted three months after the new ones come in, says Mark Di Vincenzo. December or January is ideal to be in the market for a new television.

Purchasing Home

If you're looking to purchase a new house, Mark Di Vincenzo said, the single best day of year to make an offer is on Christmas day. Sellers typically feel especially good and generous in their moods at Christmas. Therefore, they are more likely to accept a lower offer on Christmas day. Mark Di Vincenzo commented the key here is having a good agent willing to make that offer for you!

Other than buying tips, Mark Di Vincenzo provided additional tips on what days of the week consumers can most benefit from in regards to flying, sales, exercise, and even auto repairs. Below are more winter buying tips for the holidays that were featured on the Early Show.

Hotel Upgrades

Sunday is the best day to get a hotel upgrade for free, says Mark Di Vincenzo. He said the reason being many more vacancies exist and the hotel has more leeway to give you the upgrade. In order to obtain the upgrade, you must ask for it.

Exercising

Monday is the best day to work out. Since Monday marks the beginning of a new work week, exercise sets a psychological tone for the week. That being said, you're incline to exercise more during the week, Mike Di Vincenzo told Early Show's Chris Wragge.

Airfare

Tuesdays is the time to purchase airline tickets, confirms Mark Di Vincenzo. Consistently this has been the best day to book flights.

Grocery Store

Wednesdays is when you want to hit the grocery store. The reason? Sales launch and shelves are stocked. A nice bonus, plenty of staff are on hand to help you find what you need. It's also nice for when those long lines begin to form at the checkout stand!

Car Repair

Thursdays puts you in a good place to get your car repaired. Mark Di Vincenzo shared with the Early Show, car shop owners aren't clear as to why, but it's their slowest day of the week. He continues on to say you have the power to get the best price because they want your business.

Asking for a Raise

Friday should be the target day in asking for a pay raise. Supervisors and managers report they are more in the mood for compromise, Mark Di Vincenzo told the Early Show. They prefer to start the weekend out in avoiding conflict.

Flying

Saturday is ironically the day you want to fly. This fact is surely not what most people are aware of. Mark Di Vincenzo told Early Show's Chris Wragge, Saturday is one of the least expensive days of the week to fly. Airlines schedule less flights resulting in less delays in reaching your destination.

Mark Di Vincenzo is a former journalist and editor, winning numerous awards for his work. In the summer of 2007, he left journalism to form the Business Writers Group, a company that writes for corporate clients. You can learn more about Mark Di Vincenzo, his book, and his numerous tips at http://buyketchupinmay.com/.