The disadvantage is that you usually have to pay for shipping and sales tax (vs. buying online where you usually get free shipping and don't pay sales tax.)
Also, your selection is much smaller than you'd find online - so you don't have as many models to choose from.
#2 Buy Online
The general advantages to buying online are that you usually find lower prices. Also you can usually get Free Shipping and save on sales tax. Your selection is larger so you have a better chance of finding a better treadmill that you really love.
Also when you buy online, you have a paper trail, just in case something should go wrong with your treadmill in a few years.
For example, once you've placed an online order you'll receive an email with your order number, the date and details. You just file this in your email folder for safe keeping. (You do get a receipt from a store but most buyers lose their receipts after about a month).
The disadvantage to buying online is that you can't walk on the treadmill first. However most manufacturers are offering better pictures, more details and even buyer reviews and videos which can partially make up for this.
#3 Buy Used
Some people look for a treadmill for sale in the classified section of their newspaper, or on Craigslist or Kijiji. And you can get save quite a bit - if you know what to look for.
The disadvantage however is that you're responsible for getting the treadmill home yourself (which can get heavy). By the time you rent a truck and buy your friends pizza to thank you for helping to move the machine, you may not have saved that much.
Also, what most people don't know is that most manufacturers will not honor the warranty on a second buyer.
So even if the treadmill is still 'covered by warranty' - be aware that it won't cover you. And this could end up costing you more in the long run if you have to pay a repairman to fix something.
If you do decide to buy used, make sure to do some research on the model before buying. Most older treadmills that are sold second hand have been discontinued so you won't find a lot of information on the manufacturers' websites.
You can sometimes find old user reviews of the treadmill model to get an idea whether it holds up well over the long term.
So those are 3 places to find a treadmill for sale.
So when should you buy for great sale prices?
Well, the good news is that almost every day, someone is having a sale, especially online. So you can get good deals pretty frequently without having to wait for different times of the year to buy.
The bad news is during the busiest seasons (like January and right before Christmas), it can be a mixed bag. You can find some killer deals. But the killer sales usually sell out fast so you have to be on top of it.
Some sellers may even put prices up since they know people are going to buy anyways - given the time of year.
Here's another tip: A few manufacturers (not all) put their best sales on for the weekend. If you're looking at a particular treadmill, wait until the weekend to see if the price drops a bit.
The bottom line? Basically if you've done your homework and know what to look for (and which models or brands offer high quality construction) you're in a great position to find a good deal. Take your time and then enjoy your treadmill!
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