I think we could all agree that the best time to buy a snow thrower is before it snows.
However, because we all also want the most value for our money, the issue of how long before it snows is the best time to buy a snow thrower, becomes the big question.
Late winter or spring sales usually bring the very lowest prices--on whatever might be leftover from the snow season.
This means that (if you can find any leftovers) you will have a limited choice of models to choose from.
You may have to buy one of whatever is available at the time.
(Manufacturers only produce so many machines before they switch over their factories to spring and summer equipment.
) Another really big issue is one of warranty.
If you buy a machine in February or March, and don't use it until the following December--you have lost maybe 70% or 80% of your one-year warranty.
Then mid-way into the snow season you have a breakdown and your warranty will have expired.
Bummer! At the other extreme, is the person who waits until the first snowfall to buy a snow thrower.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a large group of these people.
According to interviews I've read with large snow machine dealers, there is a big surge of sales just as the first snow is falling.
Prices are likely the highest at this time of year than at any other time you could buy a snow thrower.
Having bought many seasonal pieces of equipment over the years, here is how I would approach buying my next snow machine: 1.
) I would start planning while I was still battling the current years snowfall, by looking at as many units as was left at dealers--primarily to help educate myself.
2.
) I would talk to my friends and neighbors to learn about their likes and dislikes of the equipment they are using.
(Skip this step for all those using a snow shovel).
3.
) I would gather up, or send for, all the brochures of all the makes and models of machines I think I would consider for the work I need to do.
4.
) I would scour the Internet all spring and summer to see what new models were coming out, and what new features were available.
5.
) Of course I would gather pricing information on all these makes and models as I went along.
Pricing is always available on the Internet from a variety of sources.
6.
) Maybe I would make a comparison chart if there were a number of different machines I wanted to consider.
7.
) Along about the first of August I would make my decision on what machine I really wanted to buy, and would start calling the local dealers to ask them about pre-season sales of snow throwers they have planned.
8.
) Almost all dealers have pre-season sales when they start getting their shipments in.
They do this to hedge their bets on how much snow will fall during the coming winter.
To me, this is the best time to buy a snow thrower.
9.
) After working out the best deal on exactly what I wanted in the way of a snow thrower, I would make my purchase--sometime in early to mid September (depending on where I lived).
10.
) As soon as the first snow fell, I would be out throwing snow all over the place, and having a ball.
Well, that is how I would go about buying a new snow thrower.
You might be able to buy something cheaper at the end of the snow season, but I could almost guarantee it wouldn't be exactly what you wanted, and you may have to live with a shortened warranty.
The bottom line is that you want to remove the snow around your home as quickly and as easily as possible--you don't want to try using a machine that isn't just right for you.