Best time to buy

andy9964

I've got myself a s/h Hardrock to get back into biking, and instead of upgrading anything unnecessarily, I'm thinking ahead to next year.
When would the best time to buy, be? I'm not bothered about getting the latest model, if it means I can get a decent discount on a "last years" bike. Instead, I'll be spending my money on bits of kit, as and when I need them
I'll be taking advantage of the C2W scheme from work, which I believe starts in April and ends in June.
Cheers
Andy

cooldad

Whenever there's a good deal available. There is no 'time'.
And C2W is available anytime, but your company might do it's own thing - only you know that.
Pauls Cycles have permanent deals on older models, as do a number of other shops.

warpcow

It can be harder to get sale bikes through C2W. Stores don't like doing it since they pay a comminsion to the scheme and don't want to take the hit on an item that's already reduced.

andy9964

So basically, I'd be looking at a newer model with the C2W perks/discount, or an older/last years model for around a similar price, depending on price reductions.
Still got plenty time to save a bit before I make any kind of decision, my company's scheme is fixed to the time mentioned above

Cheers

Chunkers1980

Why do you need to save?

cooldad

So see what deals are available in April.

john10012

Andy9964 wrote:

I've got myself a s/h Hardrock to get back into biking, and instead of upgrading anything unnecessarily, I'm thinking ahead to next year.
When would the best time to buy, be? I'm not bothered about getting the latest model, if it means I can get a decent discount on a "last years" bike. Instead, I'll be spending my money on bits of kit, as and when I need them
I'll be taking advantage of the C2W scheme from work, which I believe starts in April and ends in June.
Cheers
Andy

Andy, I may be wrong but I believe you can join the scheme at any time during the year? You may wish to check up on this. It wouldn't make sense if you could only join at one particular set time. I think comparing to financial products it is more like an ISA than joining a companies share scheme were you do have to opt in before a deadline each year.

I think around this time is best for getting good deals and discounts on previous years models as newer models on their way in now. A previous responder said though that they don't like to do it through Cycle to Work scheme. I am wondering what would happen if you have a certificate for C2W scheme for a certain amount and took it to get a 2012 model on discount? Would they say no? Maybe as part of their terms and conditions the discounted bikes can't be bought in combination with any other offer and they may class C2W as such an offer, though I don't know for certain and am just speculating.

John

waby1234

My company C2W scheme is only open during a specified period each year, as are other schemes eg dental care. I believe it's fairly common but all schemes differ.

andy9964

Chunkers1980 wrote:

Why do you need to save?

In case I can't get a discounted older model on the C2W scheme

John - I'm pretty sure it was only open for the two months I mentioned, may look into it.
To be honest though, I don't think the missus would be too happy if I went out and got a new one when I've only had this one a couple of weeks. It's a decent enough bike to last me, while I find out what I want from a bike, hard tail, full sus etc.

Cheers all