I'd like to let you in on trade secret if I may. Who would like to know the best time of year to purchase new garden furniture? Well, it is now. OK, the best time to grab a bargain is during the ‘off-season’, the autumn and winter. But you're only going to get pieces that didn't sell, that are at the end of the line, that we retailers are replacing with new styles. Spring though... That is the time of year when we launch the latest styles and innovations!
October to December is always good for a bargain as the end of the summer season sees the DIY and Home outlets trying to give their sales one last push before winter bites. January to May generally tend to have some of the best sales of the year as we manufacturers are getting set to unveil our new lines for the upcoming summer season.
But, we're dropping our prices to clear out the warehouse and make way for the new one. Sometimes we might offer promotions to encourage sales of the latest designs if the sun isn’t shining. However, if we do our homework, then the popular ranges will sell out before we need to even think about sales. At Lazy Susan we see incredible demand for our latest designs, so much so you may even have to wait extended lead times as production can't keep up with demand.
The garden furniture industry is driven by fashion, people want the latest styles, and they are prepared to invest to get the latest technology, and the best possible material their budget can afford. However, in our experience, good design and innovation won't date. Like the best materials, it will last for many summers to come.
If you are looking for a good deal on any large purchase, then you must keep a few simple rules front of mind, and this includes purchasing the latest garden furniture. These rules are simple but often get overlooked as consumers get caught up in the moment and make an impulse buy.
I know, we don't get a lot of sun in the UK, so when it does come out, we see a surge of sales. Last weekend was a prime example, great weather, so on impulse people buy a garden furniture set. As humans we are all easily distracted by a low sale price too; we lose sight of the fact that it is vital garden furniture should last us for the next 10 years plus.
What's the point in buying a set on special offer from your local 'Home' store if it is constructed from poor quality materials? You need garden furniture that can stand up to the elements. You want to leave it outside on the patio and yes it is going to get wet, even in summer. The cheap stuff will rust, in fact, and you'll be replacing it the following year. It's a false economy!
Research the different types of garden furniture first
Do your research, and make a considered purchase. It just doesn’t make any sense to purchase cheap garden furniture that will break, discolour or rust within a year or two. This is not only a waste of your money, but it is bad for the environment too.
It makes no sense to keep replacing unless you are happy and have the cash to do so. Some people like to change their homes and gardens regularly. But for those of us who would rather go for quality, invest in outdoor furniture that has been designed and built to withstand the British climate.
And who would you want fad styles that are out of date or being sold off because they were a poor seller? Surely you want your patio to be chic? Then think of classic design. Invest in quality and get pieces that will last for many years to come. Longevity is important when it comes to furniture. You don’t want to keep changing it, wasting money.
It is also important that you look out for deals that are too good to be true, and this is commonplace with the Internet. Many online stores claim to have great special offers, and massive 50% savings, but when get to the checkout, you find that you’re being charged for overseas shipping, that VAT wasn’t included or some other service that was not clear on the main product page.
You end up paying full price. Don’t get me wrong, online is the place to buy. You get savings as we don’t have overheads such as sales staff, showrooms etc. But take your time, shop around, and be confident that you are buying from a reputable retailer. That’s why at Lazy Susan we’re happy for people to pick up the phone and talk it over before buying via our webshop. Customer service is vital.
And it’s not just the internet. Your local Garden Centre or Homestyle DIY store might have a seemingly good garden furniture clearance sale, but your new furniture definitely won’t fit in the boot of your car and they’ll want to charge a delivery fee of £50 or more.
Reduced prices in the sales shouldn’t mean reduced shopping rights either. Retailers can try and limit your legal rights with the items they’ve reduced, but there are clear rules and regulations for sale prices, including showing how much prices have been reduced, misrepresentation about the sale, false price reductions etc.
Retailers are well within their rights to say they won’t accept sale goods back on return just because you’ve changed your mind, but they cannot do this with faulty goods, even if they were purchased in their sale.
Before you click buy or walk out of the showroom, take the time to look at different styles of garden furniture, and research different materials. Think about how you plan to use it. Would a dining table and chairs make the best use of your outdoor space or do you want something a little more laid back? Some stunning contemporary sofa-style garden furniture sets are ideally suited both inside the conservatory and outside on the patio.
When buying garden furniture, just remember not to hang about – stock is often limited, if you see something that you like and it is right for you, get it. Especially with new styles, demand can be high, and they sell out quickly. Also, make sure you look at the specifications closely – some furniture starts overpriced, so an overpriced set with a 25% discount might not offer better value than competitively priced furniture with a 15% discount. Don’t be fooled by the amount knocked off.
That’s not to say there aren’t some bargains around – just look at more than the discounted price. And remember that reduced garden furniture prices in a sale don’t mean reduced shopping rights. A retailer can’t limit your legal rights just because the furniture is in the sale! However, if you want my advice, just purchase the furniture you want now. Do your research, make a considered purchase that will last… Go for a quality material and a style that is designed to last!