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Question #1: Is now really the best time?

Prices fluctuate all the time. And the prices of some products always drop at certain times of the year. Sometimes, it's when demand is highest (toys before Christmas); other times, it's when demand is lowest (swimsuits at the end of summer). And while we're on the subject of seesawing prices, you should be aware of dynamic pricing. It's a tactic some e-commerce sites use that relies on data, such as browsing habits and IP addresses (which tell the sites if you live in a more affluent area), to determine an item's price. To outsmart this, once you've figured out the ideal time to buy, say, a new couch, disable your browser location, clear your cache and try these other tricks to ensure you're getting the best price.