When is the best time to buy equipment??

During the wintertime, when outdoor activities are severly limited, is when most folks buy gear. Many people like to plan vacations in the summertime & are more worried about other family things. As such, the summertime is the best time to get good deals on A'gon when sales slow down.

Any time Mercury ain't retrograde hehe.

When the wife is having a "weak moment" or has her arm in a sling.
Either works well for me.

The absolute best time to buy equipment is when you don't REALLY HAVE TO HAVE IT AT THAT MOMENT, but you come across that screamin' deal nonetheless, and you buy!

Best time is when you exactly find what you are looking for.

Waiting for a better time : You will save a few bucks, but the extra work involved may not be worth it, and you may not get exactly what you are looking for.

So, this post starts and ends with the same issue : Try and get exactly what you are looking for ! This might be a consolation if you find out later that you have paid too much !