Best deals on lawn equipment purchases may be now! (11-22-10)

Has your old lawn mower seen its better days? Have you longed for a mower you could ride instead of push? Are you tired of hand clipping along the drive or around trees and shrubs?

Lawn equipment dealers are very much like automobile dealers this time of year. It is easier to pass the savings on to customer than to hold this year’s models over when new models will appear soon.

Many of the major chain stores are restocking their shelves for Christmas shopping and much of their lawn equipment and supplies has to be cleared or stored. Therefore, they are offering great savings to customers to purchase this equipment now.

A riding lawn mower could be reduced as much as $500 and many other pieces of equipment and supplies may be discounted as much as 30-40 percent. If your old equipment is worn out and you will have to buy new for next spring anyway, maybe it would still be a bargain even if you had to borrow the money and pay some interest charges.

Unlike automobiles, buying a last year's model rather than the latest lawn mower, weed eater, etc. will rarely affect trade-in value. So, as long as the item you have an interest in meets the requirements of your needs, why not take advantage of saving some money.

And if you have resistance convincing a spouse of purchasing lawn equipment this time of year you can suggest that the money saved will be used to buy a gift for the spouse.

Published November 22, 2010

Dr. Wayne Wells is an Extension Professor and Turfgrass Specialist. His mailing address is Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mail Stop 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. wwells@ext.msstate.edu