Best Time To Buy Electronics?

[Matt Kremers]

Hello everyone. I have pretty much just been an observer here for a while. Just last week I bought a new-to-me Ranger R70. Now its time to rig it to my needs, and that includes adding a side imaging unit. I am specifically going to avoid mentioning which brand because my mind is made up and it should effect the answer to my question. The debates can get pretty ugly and I want to avoid them in this post. I can be patient buying the electronics if it would mean saving a good amount of money. I will not get into tournaments in this boat until next June. But obviously if there isnt much money to be saved i should get it sooner than later so i can become more comfortable with them. So this is a three part question.

 

1.) When are the best sales for electronics?

2.) Is the sale price worth waiting for?

3.) Any recommendations for websites to purchase from?

 

Thank you in advance

[slonezp]

You can usually find deals on "last years model" Prices are much cheaper online than the big box stores. I bought both my graphs from Universal Mania

[vikingbear8]

I would say depending on what you are going for if it has a decently hefty price tag why wouldnt you wait for a sale?. Personally even though I can get a 10% discount at anytime I want on the unit I am getting (Lowrance Elite 7) to me it is well worth it to wait for the black friday sale which is 20%. 

[tnriverluver]

Cabelas and sometimes Basspro usually have some amazing sales on electronics around Christmas and just after.  That is when I have bought all of mine over the last 2 years, (various Lowrance Elites) and have saved several hundred bucks doing so.

[slonezp]

Example: Currently the HB 1198 is listed for $2799 at BPS. The exact same unit is on sale at Universal Mania for $1999. You'll NEVER get pricing like that at the big box stores. Even at 20% off, BPS is still higher.

[mc6524]

I agree, most of the higher end electronics don't very in price much at the well known stores, but using the Internet and doing a little searching can provide you savings.

[mc6524]

Try reeds sporting goods online they are having some good deals with free shipping

[martintheduck]

I do know that in the past 2 months, Humminbird units have gone on sale through Universal Mania and Digital Oasis. The sale price was down from $1699 to $1270-something...

 

I've been holding out for a few months to see if I can get ahold of one cheaper, but I might just be holding m breath for nothing?

 

What makes sense is: All the stuff out now (aside from 360 imaging) is "old technology" that has been around for near 5 years.... never has ANY OF IT decreased in price! At some point soon I can see all the units going down in MSRP. I can also see them NOT going down in price with the mind frame of "what else are you gonna buy?"

 

I'm in the same boat as you buddy... just trying to hold it out for an actual DEAL.

[Matt Kremers]

So it sounds like I can expect to pay at a place like Universal Mania what I would have to wait for a sale price at the normal places? I still have to sell my old aluminum so it wont happen right away, but this does sound like a good alternative to waiting until black Friday!

[slonezp]

So it sounds like I can expect to pay at a place like Universal Mania what I would have to wait for a sale price at the normal places? I still have to sell my old aluminum so it wont happen right away, but this does sound like a good alternative to waiting until black Friday!

You still need to watch for sales. The 1198 is on sale for $1999 now. It was cheaper a month ago, and has sold as high as $2300. There are numerous other online electronics dealers, that may have what you want on sale when another doesn't. Just keep your eyes open when you're ready to buy. I know when the Lowrance Touch was introduced, there were companies selling new Gen 1 Lowrance units for next to nothing.

[martintheduck]

What slone said. 

[Wayne P.]

The whole deal with the sale prices is shop at a marine electronics dealer instead of a big box general sporting goods place like Bass Pro or Cabelas.

The marine electronics dealers sell below MSRP from the start and then put them on sale when new models are coming out and authorized by the mfg.

BPS and Cabelas sell at MSRP and then put on a sale when authorized by the mfg.

 

I just saw an ad by a "factory outlet" and their regular price for a Humminbird 1198c SI was $3639.99 which is $840 higher than MSRP. Their "sale" is $2294.99. Buyer beware.

[Matt Kremers]

Great feedback guys thanks! I guess I can show some patience here . . .