6 products on deep discount in October
Consumer Reports tracks the prices of lots of products all year long, which means we can let you know which month (or, in some cases, months) you can find the best deals on those items.
The six products listed below should be available at their lowest annual price in October. Just keep our usual caveat in mind: Great sales offen occur at the end of a season when inventories are thin, so you may not have a huge selection from which to to choose.
As a result, it's important to check our buying guides and our Ratings (including our brand reliability data) to make sure you also get a great performing product.
—Mandy Walker
Like last month, you'll find great deals on these wheels in October, because we're approaching the end of the riding season in many places in the country.
Shopping tips
Not sure which kind of bike to buy? Narrow your choice to one of the four basic types. If you're an avid cyclist, you may prefer a conventional road bike. Looking for a leisurely ride on flat, paved roads? A comfort bike may be more your speed. If you favor rugged trails, a mountain bike might be best.
Take if for a spin. Before you make a purchase, ride a bike far enough to make sure that the brakes and shifters are easy to use, the fit is comfortable, the gears can go low enough for climbing hills, and the frame and suspension adequately smooth the bumps.
If you'll be riding with children, we have a guide to bike trailers that will let you take a child on your riding adventures long before she's ready for training wheels.
And read our bike helmet buying guide to make sure you get the best fit (subscribers can read our bike helmet Ratings).
If you're in the market for a new computer because your old model's performance is sluggish at best, try to beef up its performance first. For example, delete programs you no longer use. If that isn't enough, and if the computer is no more than four years old, add 1GB of memory. Adding memory is an inexpensive and easy way to upgrade your computer.
If you're running out of hard drive space, burn your music, photos, and videos onto CDs or DVDs, or onto an external drive, and delete them from your hard drive.
If that doesn't work and the computer is more than four years old, it's probably time to replace it. Check out our computer buying guide to brush up on the latest features and shopping tips (subscribers can check out our Ratings of laptops and desktops and our Ratings of computer stores). Also watch our laptop buying guide video below.
Shopping tips
Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. New models show up in stores this month (as they do in January and July), meaning older inventory must be cleared out to make room. If a computer you like isn't on sale, ask for a better price.
Think green when you buy. Some computers meet the new Energy Star standard for efficient power use. Energy-use guidelines cover three operating modes—standby, sleep, and running—with systems entering sleep mode within 30 minutes of inactivity. Power supplies also need to operate more efficiently. You probably won't notice much difference in the operation of your computer, but your electricity bill might go down a bit. Look for the Energy Star label on qualified computers.
Whether you're looking for a basic digital camera (simple point-and-shoots with just the features needed for routine shots), or an advanced model (feature-laden cameras that include sophisticated models that let you change lenses), now is a good time to shop. Our digital camera buying guide and our Ratings give you the details on different models, and infomation on features and brands.
Shopping tips
Do your research. Buying a digital camera can be confusing. There are hundreds of cameras available at many different types of retail outlets (online and in traditional stores), with prices ranging from $75 to several thousand dollars. Some cameras are small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. Others are large and can weigh up to two pounds. Some are easy to use. Others look like you need an engineering degree to operate them.
Take the next steps. After you consider the type of camera you want and the number of megapixels you need, but before you dive into specific models, be sure to check out our brand profiles, which outline many of the most popular camera product lines and their respective character traits.
Want to know what's on sale the rest of the year? See our month-by-month calendar of deals.
Like bikes, it's the end of the season for grilling (even though some of us have been known to clear a path through the snow to do some wintertime grilling), so you'll find some deep discounts on the stock still in stores.
Shopping tips
Think about size. Match the grill's cooking area to the number of people you typically feed. Remember, manufacturers might include racks and searing burners when tallying cooking area. Our measurements are based on the main cooking area and how much food it will hold.
Think about space. Next factor in how much area the grill will take up on your patio or deck. Some of the grills we tested are a whopping six feet wide.
You'll find more shopping tips in our grills buying guide. (Subscribers can find our recommended models in three different size categories in our Ratings.)
Even if you don't plan to shop for a mower, you could end up doing so if you own an older model and it breaks. The latest data from the Consumer Reports National Research Center show that push mowers usually aren't worth fixing after four years and self-propelled mowers after five years. Older tractors might be worth repairing, but getting them to and from the shop can add expense.
Shopping tips
Consider how you'll use it. Most models come ready to mulch, bag, or side-discharge clippings. But mulching or bagging with a riding machine usually requires a kit that costs $50 to $500.
Check the features and controls before you buy. Most tractors and riders let you speed up or slow down with a convenient pedal instead of a lever. Among self-propelled mowers, Toro models let you vary speed simply by pushing the handlebar, while Hondas let you adjust the ground speed without removing your hands from the handlebar.
For more tips, read our lawn mower and tractor buying guide; subscribers can also review our Ratings.
A new coat is likely to be one of your bigger clothing purchases if you live in a cold climate, and one of most used items in your closet during the winter.
Shopping tips
Time your purchase. Shopping at the right time can save you even more, say the editors at Shop Smart magazine. Kohl's fans, for example, should check out the "Gold Star Clearance" racks, where prices are slashed up to 80 percent on weekend nights. Every Wednesday, shoppers who are 60 years old and older get an extra 15 percent off.
At Target, women's clothing is generally marked down on Tuesdays, men's on Wednesday, and kids' on Mondays. Markdowns at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx usually happen on Wednesday.
Hit the outlets We've looked over the clothing sold at outlets several times, and we've found most of the goods are good, even if there are some shortcuts taken (like less expensive buttons or fewer stitches per inch) on items made expressly for the outlets to lower the price from regular retail versions. Just look over each piece of clothing carefully to make sure there are no loose threads, tears, or other faults.
More from Consumer Reports:
Top performing kitchen gear at rock bottom prices
The best washing machines for $800 or less
Kitchen floors that stand up to foot traffic
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