Buy or Bye?
When you see something you want to buy, it's often difficult to decide whether you should get it immediately or wait for a better deal. Buy now, and you might get buyer's remorse when the item goes on sale later; buy later, and it might just sell out. Smart shopping, after all, is all about knowing when to strike—and we're here to help you make better decisions. Here are 10 times when you should buy immediately, and 10 times when waiting for a sale is the smarter choice.
1. It's a Limited-Edition Drop
Anything that's limited edition means there's only so much stock. Once that stock runs out, it's gone forever. Of course, that doesn't mean you should go out and buy everything that's limited edition, but if it's an item you've already been wanting to get or a brand you're already familiar with, by all means, go for it. You might regret it later if you don't!
2. You're in a Foreign Country
Vacationing on the other side of the world? Sure, online shopping has made it easier than ever to find foreign products (or dupes of them) and have them delivered to your doorstep, but if you're eyeing an item that you'll probably never be able to get anywhere else, get it. It'll be a rare, cool souvenir!
3. The Size or Color You Want Sells Out Quickly
If you've already set your sights on an item that's rarely in stock in the size and color you want, it's probably best to nab it when it is available. Of course, that's provided that the item you're looking at is something truly worth your money, and you don't already have something like it.
4. When You've Already Weighed Your Decisions
Before you buy anything, you should always give it some thought. Ask yourself questions. Is it something you actually need? Is it worth the price tag? Could you get it somewhere else for a better deal? If you've already weighed your decisions and are still leaning toward getting it, then maybe it's your sign to finally commit.
5. There's Rarely a Sale
If the item is rarely on sale but you could get it at a good deal if you buy now, it might be better to go for it. Sure, there could always be a better promotion around the corner, but considering that's already rare and that the exact specification you want (ex., size or color) might be sold out, you may regret it more if you continue waiting.
6. You Can't Find Anything Else Like It
Just as you might be tempted to buy an item if you can't find it anywhere else, you may also want to give in if you can't find anything that's exactly like it. Anything that's rare will make you desire it more, so if you're thinking of getting it, you probably should.
7. If the Item Will Get a Price Hike Soon
You may also want to immediately secure an item you know will get a price hike. This could apply to anything, especially in this day and age of inflation. If you need it and this is the cheapest you'll probably get it, you might want to bag it right away—or maybe even grab two.
8. It's a Daily Essential
Toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues, allergy medication, skincare—if it's something you need to use all the time, get it. Sure, you might always want to wait for a good discount, but you don't always have that luxury, especially if you're using it every day and you're already running low. So why wait?
9. You've Been Eyeing It for Months Already
If the item is something you've already had on your wishlist for months, it's probably a sign to just get it. The longer you wait, the higher the chance that it might sell out or even be discontinued. Assuming you've already weighed your pros and cons, options, and decisions, it might be time to just pull the trigger.
10. It's a Small Purchase
If it's a small purchase that makes you more productive or solves a big problem, by all means, go for it. It's not worth waiting to see if it'll go on sale; at most, you might save a dollar or two. Don't spend so much time ruminating on whether an $8 replacement charger cable is worth the money.
With all that being said, though, there are still times when you shouldn't immediately spend all your money. If you're wondering if maybe you should wait, here are 10 instances where we think it's probably better that you do:
1. It's Near a Holiday
If you're just a couple of days out from a big holiday—think Black Friday and Boxing Day—where most brands go on sale, it's worth waiting until then. You might be worried that the item you want will sell out quickly, but it's still best to wait for a discount than commit to the full price.
2. You're at the Turn of the Season
Similarly, if you're at the turn of the season when the weather is changing, it's better to wait for the thing you want to go on sale—that is, if it's an item that will go out of season. For example, if you've been eyeing a swimsuit and you're already in August, wait a couple of months; it'll likely be discounted as early as September or October when fall sets in.
3. It's a Big-Ticket Item
Small purchases typically shouldn't make you ruminate for weeks (although it is good to be smart with your money), but big-ticket items definitely give you pause. If you're wondering whether to buy a new TV, laptop, or smartphone, it's better to wait to see whether these items will go on sale later on than buy them at full price now.
4. You Have Something Similar
Do you already own a similar item? If so, wait for a sale. Better yet, skip it entirely. Whatever you choose to do, don't add it to your cart at full price. You'll likely regret your purchase later on when you realize it's pretty close to something you already have.
Maude Frédérique Lavoie on Unsplash
5. It's Not an Immediate Need
While you'll want to stock up on essentials (and sometimes even when they're not on sale), you should shelve away anything that's not an immediate need for later. "Nice-to-haves" can always wait. Who knows? Maybe when it goes on sale a couple of months from now, you'll have already forgotten all about it.
6. It's an Upgrade for Something That Still Works
Maybe you have something similar, but it could use an upgrade. If the item is completely unusable, or at least nearly unusable, then it might be worth getting right away, depending on how much you rely on and need it. But if the one you have still works perfectly fine and you only want an upgrade for the sake of having the "new" version, then it can absolutely wait.
7. You Just Came Across It
It's tempting to buy an item the second you come across it, but sometimes, if you give it a couple of days, you might realize you're not thinking about it anymore. A good question to ask yourself in these cases is: Did I want it before I saw it?
8. There Are Always Flash Sales
If the item you want or the site it's on usually has flash sales, definitely don't get it at full price. Instead, sign up for notifications to get alerted when promotions happen. That way, you'll be one of the first to know when the thing you want is discounted.
9. It's Out of Your Budget or Will Put You Out of Budget
Will buying the item negatively affect your budget? If so, drop it. You can wait until you're in a better place financially to finally purchase the item. The last thing you'd want is to grab it when you don't have the means to.
10. The Trend Is Dying Down
If a trend is already dying down and you're still eyeing the item, that could be a sign that you're not just blindly following what's popular. However, seeing that the general public is already losing interest, it's best to continue waiting it out until it goes on sale.
