How often do ASX investors get a chance to buy quality ASX shares on sale?

I'm always on the hunt for great companies listed on the ASX.

And I'm particularly keen if I can scoop up ASX shares at discounted prices.

With the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) down about 5% in the past few months, now looks like a great time to invest.

I know these moments don't last forever.

I've missed the boat before.

And I'm not too keen on letting that happen again.

I remember back in 2020 when global markets started to plummet amid fear and uncertainty as stories of a new virus that originated in China began to spread around the world.

Soon, an obscure city called Wuhan became almost as well known as New York, and the term COVID-19 found its way into common vernacular.

This story may conjure up bad memories for many.

For a few brave investors, it will be a reminder of their triumph.

For others, it will reiterate one of the great lessons in investing.   

Be greedy when others are fearful  

It may sound cold to associate investing triumph with a horrific pandemic that had a devasting impact on countless people.

But if you want to achieve investing success, you need to be able to separate your emotions from your investment decisions.

Is it not rational to buy at a discount?

Is it better to be guided by clarity rather than fear?

In early 2020, I was following one investor who announced he was going on a buying spree as the pandemic started to decimate stock markets.

His strategy was simple: Buy as share prices fell but hold enough cash to ensure he could keep buying if they fell further.

And prices fell, and fell, and fell.

And he bought, and bought, and bought.

He provided regular updates on his pandemic purchases.

I watched from the sidelines as each of his newly acquired holdings looked to be heading out the door.

Still, the more the prices fell, the more he bought.

I admired his steely resolve but thought he was an idiot.

I was fascinated by his updates. He proudly declared his latest purchase, only to see the value plunge the next day.

Still, he continued to buy, undeterred, as the world was falling apart around him.

He urged us to buy and told us we had a chance to take part in one of the greatest opportunities in the history of stock markets.

I didn't take his advice.

Surely, I was watching a madman slowly self-destruct, I thought.

Then, the markets turned.

They started to go up, and up, and up.

He made a lot of money.

I didn't.

But I learned a valuable lesson.

That's why I just topped up my Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) holdings.

If share prices continue to drop, I'll top up again.

But I will be sure to remain in a position to scoop up more shares if prices continue to present more opportunities.

And I'll double down on my search for great ASX shares.