Guide to Navigating Seasonal Discounts at Lowe’s

Guide to Navigating Seasonal Discounts at Lowe’s

watched the exact model drop by almost 35% three weeks later. That painful receipt turned into my little obsession: figuring out how Lowe’s seasonal discounts actually work, not just guessing.

This is the playbook I’ve built after years of watching prices, talking to store associates, testing apps and, yes, stalking clearance aisles like it’s a sport.

The Seasonal Rhythm: When Lowe’s Actually Discounts Big

In my experience, Lowe’s runs on a pretty predictable retail calendar. It’s not perfect, but there is a pattern.

Spring & Early Summer (March–June)

Spring is when Lowe’s makes serious money—think outdoor, gardening, tools, and paint—so deep discounts are more targeted than across-the-board.

What I’ve consistently seen:

• Outdoor power equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers): big promos around Memorial Day and Father’s Day
• Paint & stain: aggressive promos in April–May (sometimes buy-one-get-one 50% or $15–$40 off 5-gallon buckets)
• Mulch & soil: classic 5 for $10 or 5 for $12 deals around Easter and Memorial Day

When I tracked this one year, I noticed a Ryobi mower that sat at full price in March went 15% off around Memorial Day and 25% off on a limited weekend promo in June.

Late Summer & Early Fall (August–October)

This is when I personally save the most.

• Grills: In my store, prices start dipping late July, but the real cuts hit mid-August to Labor Day. I once grabbed a $499 gas grill for $299 on an unadvertised markdown.
• Patio furniture: often 30–50% off by late August, then clearance in September
• Outdoor power tools: trimmers and some battery gear quietly move to clearance between September–October

The trick: seasonal inventory has to move to make room for fall and holiday stock—so Lowe’s tightens the discount screws.

Holiday & Winter (November–January)

Holiday deals at Lowe’s are more structured and corporate-driven.

• Black Friday / Cyber Monday: power tools, smart home devices, major appliances
• Pre-Black Friday: early appliance promos in early November (sometimes as good as Black Friday)
• Post-Christmas – January: leftover holiday decor, space heaters, and occasionally random tools go on serious clearance

When I tested tracking a smart thermostat in 2023, it was $249 in October, $199 on Black Friday, and dropped briefly to $179 in January on clearance at one location.

How to Read Lowe’s Markdown Tags Like an Insider

Once I started paying attention to the tags, the store felt like it had subtitles.

Yellow vs. White Tags

In my experience:

• White tags: regular price
• Yellow tags: markdown / clearance / promo

If you see a yellow tag with an "As Advertised" or similar note, that’s usually a corporate promo—meaning all stores are running it. No note? It may be store-specific markdown.

The Magical Price Endings

Different stores can vary a bit, but I’ve repeatedly seen:

• Prices ending in .00 or .98 – regular price or light promo
• Prices ending in .96, .06, or .04 – often signal markdowns or clearance tiers

When I compared two stores in my area, a tool set marked $129.00 at one store was $109.06 at another—same SKU, different local markdown stage.

Check the Date Code on Tags

On most yellow tags, there’s a small printed date (not always obvious). That’s usually the markdown date.

My rule of thumb: if it’s been sitting with the same markdown date for 4+ weeks, there’s a decent chance it may drop again—especially for seasonal items.

Timing Big Purchases: Appliances, Tools, & Outdoor Gear

Appliances: Play the Holiday Cycle

I learned this the hard way when I bought a washer in September, then saw it $250 cheaper six weeks later.

Better timing:

• Best windows: Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, and Black Friday (per the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and retailer data, those are peak promo periods)
• Model changeover: late summer/early fall when next-year models are announced—older inventory often gets marked down

Always stack:

1. Manufacturer promo
2. Lowe’s sale price
3. Additional 5% off with Lowe’s card or limited-time rebate

Power Tools & Tool Storage

From watching DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Kobalt sets for years, I’ve noticed:

• Best bundle deals: Black Friday season, Father’s Day, and random “Tool Event” promos in spring and fall
• Clearance sets: when brands refresh battery platforms or designs—old kits go quietly on clearance

I once picked up a 4-tool Kobalt 24V kit for under $150 because the store was switching to a newer packaging version.

Outdoor Gear: Off-Season Is Your Friend

If you can tolerate storing stuff:

• Buy grills, patio sets, fire pits in late summer/early fall
• Look for snow blowers in late winter during an unseasonably warm stretch—some stores start clearing out early if inventory sits

Secret Weapons: Apps, Clearance Hacking, and Geography

Use the Lowe’s App Like a Pricing Radar

When I tested this, I’d stand in-store, scan an item with the Lowe’s app, and compare:

• Online price vs in-store price

Often, an item was cheaper online—and several times I politely asked customer service and got a price match to the lower Lowe’s.com price.

The app also lets you:

• Check stock levels at nearby stores
• See if another location already marked the same SKU down

I’ve driven 15 minutes to save $80 on a clearance vanity before. Worth it.

Store-to-Store Price Differences Are Real

Lowe’s pricing can be regional and store-specific based on demand and inventory.

In my area, a discontinued ceiling fan was:

• $179 at one store (no markdown)
• $129 at another (yellow tag)
• $89 at a third (clearance)

All within 30 miles.

Clearance Corners and Top-Shelf Hunting

Most Lowe’s stores have:

• A “Clearance” aisle or rack in tools, lighting, and plumbing
• A general clearance area near lumber or back walls

I’ve also spotted deals:

• On top shelves in aisles (overstock/last units)
• On endcaps with mismatched items

Don’t be shy asking, “Is this the best price, or is it going lower?” Some associates will tell you if another markdown is scheduled.

Stacking Discounts (Without Being That Person)

Lowe’s doesn’t always allow extreme stacking, but there are a few combos I’ve used successfully.

In my experience, the best realistic stacks:

1. Sale price / markdown
2. Lowe’s Credit Card 5% off or special financing (usually one or the other)
3. Occasional manufacturer rebate or Lowe’s rebate (especially for energy-efficient appliances)

For big-ticket items like a $2,000 appliance package, that 5% is a clean $100 savings on top of sale pricing.

I’ve also used:

• Military discount (10%) – works for eligible customers, though it doesn’t stack with some promos
• Price match with Home Depot or other major retailers when it’s the exact same model/SKU and terms

Always read the fine print—some items (like certain doorbusters or clearance) may be excluded from extra discounts.

Pros, Cons, and Honest Limits of “Gaming” Lowe’s Discounts

What Actually Works

• Shopping off-season for grills, patio, and seasonal decor
• Using the Lowe’s app to compare store vs online pricing
• Comparing nearby stores for the same SKU
• Watching price endings and markdown dates to time your purchase
• Targeting holidays for appliances, tools, and smart home gear

Where It Breaks Down

• Some markdowns are truly one-off (damaged box, return, display model)
• Limited-quantity deals vanish fast—you can’t always “wait for the next drop”
• Not every store follows the markdown pattern perfectly; managers have flexibility
• Driving to three stores can make zero sense if gas/time costs eat the savings

I’ve also had times where I waited for a price drop that never came, and the item sold out chain-wide. That’s the gamble.

My rule: if the discount is 25–30%+ off something I definitely need and it’s a good model/brand, I grab it rather than chasing the unicorn 50% off.

A Simple Playbook You Can Actually Use

If you don’t want this to turn into a full-time hobby, here’s the streamlined strategy I give friends:

1. Decide your timeframe: Do you need it now, or can you wait 4–8 weeks?
2. Check the calendar: Line up with major holidays or season transitions.
3. Use the app in-store: Scan, compare prices, and check nearby stores.
4. Look for yellow tags & odd endings (.96, .06, .04) and check the markdown date.
5. Ask one question at the service desk: “Is this likely to be marked down again soon?”
6. Stack one extra discount if allowed (5% card, military, or rebate).

When I follow that process, I rarely pay full price for big-ticket items at Lowe’s anymore—and I don’t spend hours doing spreadsheet-level analysis.

If you treat Lowe’s less like a random hardware store and more like a giant, slightly predictable game of seasonal chess, the savings add up fast.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Seasonal trends in consumer prices - Background on seasonal price patterns
• Lowe’s Official Promotions & Rebates Page - Current promos, rebates, and financing offers
• Consumer Reports – Best time to buy major appliances - Data-backed guidance on appliance deal timing
• Forbes – The best times of year to buy everything - Overview of retail seasonality across categories
• Federal Trade Commission – Consumer advice on shopping and advertising offers - Government guidance on understanding sales and offers