Best Times To Shop For An Above Ground Pool

Any time of year is a good time to shop for above ground pools. There are advantages to shopping during certain seasons and advantages to buying during certain seasons.

• Shopping in the fall and winter

Shopping for an above ground pool during the fall and winter can save you money. You will be shopping last year’s models but the manufacturer wants to get rid of inventory so you can usually get a better price than you would during the summer.

Other advantages of buying in the fall or winter are less stress, less hurry, and your yard will get a chance to heal from the construction.

One advantage of winter and fall shopping that many people over look is that the value of goods and services usually goes up in January of April (tax time). This is a business adjustment that happens every year to keep profit margins at the rate the pool dealer has decided is in his best interest to make a profit. You avoid the price increase in the winter and fall.

• Shopping in the spring and summer

Shopping for an above ground pool in the summer gives you the advantage of all the new models, new designs, and new innovations that may have been developed during the last year.

The disadvantages are you are looking during the peak season. Prices will be higher. Wait times for installation will be longer.

• It depends on where you live

Getting the best deal on an above ground pool depends on where you live.

If you live where the weather gets very cold and it snows you probably have a much better advantage shopping during the fall and winter. Prices will be lower and inventory will be higher for last year’s models.

If the ground where you live is frozen, you may have to wait for the installation. Frozen ground does not work well for creating a firm and lasting foundation for an above ground pool. This problem can be a negotiating chip you can use for leverage for a lower price. Just tell the seller you want a lower price because you have to wait. Remember, all prices are negotiable.

If you live where the weather is warm and you can use the pool six to ten months of the year or all year long you still have an advantage of shopping and buying during the fall and winter. The same idea applies in warm areas for price. Inventory must be depleted for next year’s models so you get a better price in the fall and winter. Wait times are usually shorter in the fall and winter because the big buying season is spring and summer in warm areas of the country where you can use a pool for more of the year.

• Avoid the summer sales

Almost all pool companies offer July clearance sales for above ground pools. The company is trying to get rid of inventory before the slow season in fall and winter. The prices of July sales pools are usually discounted only a few percent from the new pool prices.

• Count all the costs before you purchase

The costs of an above ground pool include the pool, pool cleaning equipment, water, interest if you finance, and installation.

Pool kits can include all the accessories you may need. Many companies sell above ground pools that do not include all the cleaning and maintenance accessories you need for a new pool. Fall and winter shopping and purchase give you an advantage for getting more included in the package because the dealer wants to make money in the slow season and they have usually already paid all the charges that they have to pay to the company or companies they sell pools for.

Installation can be part of the package. You may get a better deal by looking for a reputable independent Better Business Bureau certified installer than accepting the dealer’s installation. Again, installation is negotiable and you usually get a better deal in the fall and winter because installers need the work and income.

Interest rates change constantly. Financing with a dealer is not your best option. Look around for financing from banks and other lenders. You will get a better rate and better terms from a bank than from a pool dealer. The pool dealer is not a bank they get their loan money from banks so just cut out the middleman.

The interest and some of the costs for installation of an above ground pool can be written off on your taxes. The advantage of shopping and buying in the fall and winter is you get the deduction and write off in the same year.

Reference http://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/blog/bid/25565/Seasonal-Savings-and-Swimming