The Best Time to Buy a Lawn Mower

What is the best time to buy a lawn mower? We polled lawn mower experts from retailers like Home Depot, Machinery Pete, and Stotz Equipment to get their insight. The consensus is that the time of year dictates the price and the optimal months to purchase a lawn mower at a lower price are March, April, October, and December.

Read on to learn more about the best time to buy a lawn mower.

The Best Time to Buy

Savvy shoppers time their purchases to coincide with supply and demand cycles. Nicole Weaver, a product analyst with Machinery Pete, a marketplace for used farm equipment, says that lawn mower sales skyrocket from April to September when homeowners are outdoors doing yard work, and disappear in October.

When supply is high leading into the busy season, but demand is still relatively low, you have your pick of mowers when it’s possible to score a deal. However, discounts evaporate when demand spikes and top models quickly sell out. Once the demand dies down, you can likely score a significant discount on an older mower as dealers clear inventory.

February to March Pre-Season Sales

At the beginning of each year, dealers build their inventory but units don't move as quickly. This is why it can be wise to hold out and purchase your lawn mower between February and March when pre-season sales and previous-year models offer buyers the opportunity to buy a quality mower at an affordable price.

Matt Webster of Stotz Equipment, a Utah-based John Deere dealer agrees. “The best time would be the end of February, early March when you’ve got a chance to have the best available incentives.”

Demand Spikes in April

As Weaver mentioned, demand begins to spike in April. However, particularly in the first half of the month, it’s worth visiting your local dealers. Though you may not save as significantly as you would in other months, April is still a great time to buy.

October's Best Deals

Demand fizzles out in October, which makes it an excellent time for deal hunters. You likely won't find any brand-new models around this time, but you might get a great deal on last season's standout.

December Best Time for Close-outs

If a company still has mowers on deck in December, they will most likely want to get rid of them to make way for next year's models. However, you won't be able to test out a new lawn mower you bought in December until spring, so you won't know if something is broken, missing, or askew upon purchasing.

The Worst Time to Buy

While April is still a decent time to shop, demand grows from May through the heart of the early summer. Showroom floors look sparse in summer and discounts are rare aside from occasional sales during Fourth of July or Father’s Day. However, it’s best to purchase a mower after the busy season.

Why Mowers Are Rarely Discounted

The mower market is competitive and you may not always find huge discounts. “Typically, everyone comes in in the fall wanting some crazy, rock-bottom price,” says Webster. “And we don’t have big margins on these items anyways, so it’s not like we can knock thousands of dollars off.”

Keeping these small margins in mind is key when shopping for a new mower. According to Jeff Ovitt, a veteran employee of Home Depot, lawn mowers typically do not go on sale. Ovitt claims he hasn’t seen a new mower discounted for more than 10% off. Instead, look for extra perks like warranty registration, assembly, free delivery, or a free tank of fuel.

Look at used mowers at 60% to 70% off MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price). You may also score a mower for significantly less from a private seller.

Lawn Mower Buying Tips

• Find a repair service: Many dealers only service the mowers they sell in-store, and some big box stores don’t service everything they sell, so it’s essential to know a local repair service. That way, you can repair a mower quickly, affordably, and professionally.
• Go for a name brand: Choose a recognized brand, such as Honda, Toro, Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, and Kawasaki. You may pay more, but the mower's longevity offsets the extra costs. Parts for generic or no-name brands are hard to find, low-quality, or unavailable.
• Test it out: When purchasing a used mower, test drive it to make sure it works, there are no abnormal clattering or squealing noises, and the handlebar does not vibrate excessively.
• Examine used mowers: Just like popping open the hood on a used car, check the nuts and bolts of a used mower. Check the oil and air filters before buying to ensure they are clean.