Maybe the mostly perfect weather this summer -- tornadoes notwithstanding -- explains the dearth of clearanced patio furniture in local showrooms recently. Near Labor Day, patio furniture deals heat up, but this year's post-season bargains might leave you walking instead of rocking.
A salesman at Lowe's in Plymouth, where only a few lonely gliders and dining chairs remained, said that sales were brisk all summer. He attributed it to nesting, but warm, not hot weather, lack of rain and low humidity didn't hurt. Home Depot in St. Louis Park blew out its patio furniture at 80 percent off last weekend. The store's fliers said selected sets were 25 to 50 percent off, so the higher discounts were unadvertised. Dealspotters, where were you when we needed you?
I had better luck at Hom Furniture in Plymouth and Bloomington, the locations with the largest patio furniture selection at the Hom stores. Hom bought Seasonal Concepts' inventory and is still putting it in the stores. Hom also recently bought the patio furniture inventory from Hoigaard's in St. Louis Park, which decided to exit the furniture biz. A few high-end and low-end sets were discounted 50 percent in Plymouth. Prices ranged from $400 for a round 42-inch table with two dining chairs and two swivel chairs to $2,500 for a Winston 54-inch round table and four chairs at Hom in Plymouth. The difference? The cheaper set is hollow aluminum with a glass top. The more expensive set is solid cast aluminum, including the tabletop, made in the United States instead of China.
Shoppers who prefer the classic contemporary look of Room & Board should go to RoomandBoard.com for the patio furniture clearance. Bruce Champeau, vice president of merchandising, said that only a few patio pieces make it to the Golden Valley outlet on the weekends. Check the online selection first, but you can save money on shipping by requesting to pick up the furniture at the Golden Valley warehouse. Last week, most of the outdoor furniture on clearance was white, although a few dining and accent tables were also available at 30 to 50 percent off. Call 1-800-301-9720 with questions about pickup.
Gabberts in the Galleria in Edina had six sets left at 50 percent off earlier in the week.
Paddy O' Furniture in Eden Prairie had selected sets on clearance, but most were at posted prices.
My advice? If you see something on clearance that you like but can live without, wait until Labor Day weekend when the deals might improve. You'll get a much better selection if you shop the pre-season discounts in February when you can choose colors and fabrics and still get a 20 or 25 percent discount.
One final note: The Homecrest outlet in Wadena closed a couple of years ago, although the Homecrest plant is still located there.
John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.
