I bought a 7 ft high end "real feel" tree in October 2 years ago. It was about $400, but normally closer to $800. She said they rarely have any left by Christmas. It is not pre-lit but I don't mind stringing lights. This tree is awesome and I plan to use it for years.
In my front room I have a 7ft prelit tree. I have been stringing lights on it since the day we got it because it didn't have enough. I detest that tree with every bone in my body. Last year only one section still lights up so I had to string the whole tree. Again I don't mind hanging lights, but I specifically paid not to have to do it and the tree is only 5 years old. Plus it doesn't look terribly fake, but its nowhere near as good as my other tree and it takes forever to "fluff" it so it doesn't look fake. I am hoping to go next year and replace this tree with a similar one as our other.
I have seen plenty of trees after christmas available, but they are usually the really fake looking trees at the big box retailers. I would check super early next year for a good artificial tree. Around here, a lot of the pool supply stores and nursery's have christmas shops that they set up in the fall.