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It just depends, though if someone else has an event coming up within a few days, mix records with them, and you will get the same as long as you can (i.e. you need to have beaten E4 to get most of them)
The clearout sale is part of the clock function.... it is on a general cycle that has no matter of anything else... all you need to do is watch the tv to find out when.
You have to complete the E4, then go to a house with a TV in it, then you watch it, and then it will say when it is one, such as the clearout sale on the Lilycove rooftop of the mall. Like the Energy guru who gives half price for any stat boosters.