Yes, as of today, we're inside the three month marker. The retail Christmas shopping season will begin sometime between now and Halloween, depending on how much space individual stores have allocated to spooky stuff.
For consumers, the season is divided into two roughly equal halves. The first half is mostly dedicated to complaining about how early the season is being rushed on us. Some of us actually do a little shopping, but mostly we complain that the season seems to start earlier every year.
The second half starts on the day after Thanksgiving, any time after midnight. There will be a few casualties reported around the country as the "door buster" specials actually cause a few doors to get busted by over enthusiastic bargain hunters. It's America's version of running with bulls in Pamplona.
By the end of the weekend, planned shortages of the most popular items are reported on television news segments, and Ebay and Craigs List are advertising after market sale of the items at ridiculously high asking prices. The chaos has begun, and, within a few days, many will start vocalizing their concern that they're running out of time. Why didn't I start shopping earlier? Oh, yeah, I was too busy complaining about the season starting so early.
While many folks are out doing their holiday shopping, some of the best shopping strategists are taking a little time to shop for a new home. House hunting traffic is traditionally lower this time of year, even in a more robust market. Psychologically, many sellers dread home showings more and more as the holiday season approaches. This is a wonderful time to help them stop the showings by accepting a fair offer.
Shoppers will start to see retailers offer no payments until 2011. Well, guess what? If you make an offer on a home now, there's an almost certain probability that you will need to make no payments until 2011. Shop for a home while everyone else is shopping for the latest deliberately sold out gift item. It makes good sense in any market.
Comments(7)