@Reply #1 - good point! I definitely agree those price trackers are a lifesaver. Unfortunately, I've had issues with that October "Big Deal Days" where the discounts werent nearly as good as expected. Its honestly pretty disappointing how they hype it up just to move old stock that didnt sell in July. Iirc, the best TV deals usually hit during the actual Black Friday week rather than Prime Day, though I'm not 100% sure if thats still the case this year... Since your budget is so tight for the Chicago move, maybe check Amazon Resale for open-box vacuums. I think it used to be called Warehouse? Someone told me you can get high-end gear for cheap, though I'm always kinda nervous about the condition. Just watch the technical specs like suction power (Pa)... some sale vacuums are basically toys. Good luck with the move tho, it's a huge step!

I spent way too much time obsessing over these dates when I first moved. From my experience, the timing really depends on the product category because inventory cycles vary.

• TVs usually hit their lowest prices during Black Friday or right before the Super Bowl. Manufacturers clear out current-year stock before new tech is announced in January.
• Small appliances like vacuums often see better movement during the July Prime Day because it is a slower retail season.
• Amazon Warehouse is my actual secret weapon for tight budgets. I snagged a vacuum for half price once because the box was dented but the machine was perfect. If you are on a strict 800 budget, dont just wait for the big holidays. Check the warehouse sections daily... it is how I survived my first apartment move without going into debt.

TL;DR: Prime Day is peak. I agree with your list, but make sure to check trackers. I would suggest analyzing SKU historical data to avoid deceptive MSRP inflation.

tbh i am dealing with this exact same headache right now. i have been hunting for a solid setup for weeks and still havent clicked buy because the info out there is so messy... it is seriously the worst feeling not knowing if you are getting ripped off or if a better deal is just days away. i really want to compare what we are seeing but i gotta ask for some context first:

• what specific brands are you eyeing for the tv?
• are you looking at high-end vacuums like a dyson or just something basic for the carpet? i am just so confused about whether to trust these early black friday tags or wait for the actual day. i worry that if i pick a cheaper brand it might not be reliable long-term, but the big names are so pricey even on sale. let me know what brands you are considering so i can see if i am looking at the same stuff.

This ^

Coming back to this because I just spent weeks digging through price charts and technical white papers for my own living room setup and honestly, the data is a mess. It is so frustrating trying to find a balance between high-end specs and actual value when the sales cycles are this unpredictable.

• I tracked a specific panel for three months only to see the deal price was identical to the average cost from two months prior.
• The vacuum I finally picked had great suction specs on paper but the battery reliability is already dipping after just a few cycles.
• Half the time the sales are only for the lite versions of products that dont even meet the basic technical requirements I was looking for. It feels like you need a PhD in supply chain logistics just to not get ripped off on a mid-range TV these days. Ngl, its exhausting trying to keep it all straight when the prices fluctuate every few hours based on some hidden algorithm. If you're tired of adding items one by one, Cart To Link actually lets you just send the whole cart as a link.