The Common Mistake To Avoid When Buying A New (Or Used) Lawn Mower

As any homeowner knows, lawn mowers are essential for a grass-based lawn. By the time summer is in full swing, you could be out mowing once a week or more. But when you're looking for a mower — either new or used — the ideal time to buy might not be when you need it the most. One of the most common mistakes in buying a new lawn mower is to do so in the spring or summer. Fall might be the best time to shop for your lawn mower, even though you'll store it away for the winter.

In the warmer seasons, of course, you'll have the best variety of mowers to choose from ... but the prices are likely to be at their highest since they're in popular demand. Fall is when stores slash mowers sometimes to half off, hoping to get rid of lawn mower inventory to make room for holiday decorations and other seasonal items like snowblowers.

You can take advantage of summer sales around holidays, such as Memorial Day or Independence Day, but you're still likely to find better deals in early fall, even if you don't find the biggest selection. When buying a new mower in autumn, know that some could be discontinued models — which means that the parts to fix them might be harder to come by, though you might not mind if the deal is sweet enough. When thinking about the best lawn mower to get, it probably depends on the size of your lawn. The best lawn mowers for an acre or more are often riding lawn mowers.

When the weather starts to cool, most people start thinking about putting their lawn mowers in storage or selling them, so it's a great time to think about scouring Facebook Marketplace or other used selling sites for great deals. Maybe they've already taken advantage of a late summer sale or an early fall one and bought a new mower. Perhaps they've decided the best way to dispose of their old lawn mower is to list it for a quick sale.

That's why shopping in the fall can work out for you if you're in the market for a used lawn mower. You don't want to shop in early spring, since that's peak time. Come fall, scour Craigslist or other listings for individuals selling mowers, but a safer bet might be a consignment store or a refurbished mower at a licensed dealership.

Of course, don't forget to properly inspect any used mower by turning on the engine and checking for any dents or damage to the mower. Otherwise, you might be forced to learn how to fix bent mower blades. It's also a good idea to check for any signs of rust. Also, ask if the lawn mower has ever been serviced, and ask if the work was guaranteed. It's all about getting the most bang for your buck, so do your due diligence when you're shopping for lawn mowers in the fall.