The saying
that goes, 'The early bird catches the worm,' is in
part true
for those who get Christmas shopping off to an early
start before the season actually begins. Most of us
however, are likely to be average shoppers who wait
until that time when the season officially begins.
Maybe we don't have any time before then and we have
to wait for a day off from work after Thanksgiving.
Or maybe we simply procrastinate and can't get going
until the frenzy starts or until when the stores are
all fully decorated and Christmas songs and Carols
are
playing non-stop to put the thrill and magic into
the festive season that is Christmas.
Average Christmas holiday shoppers go out in force
and are primarily
motivated by the sales that occur during the
official Christmas shopping season.
These shoppers fully believe they are getting good
prices and bargains from Christmas and holiday
sales. But it is unlikely that retailers will offer
the lowest prices during a time that is prime
shopping season.
The lesson for the average and for all shoppers
during the traditional
Christmas shopping season is to carefully evaluate
prices and consider if the item is fairly priced
when compared to a the price during other times of
the year. If items are simply snapped up during
Christmas and the holidays because they are being
offered in a 'sale,' the shopper may end up busting
his or her budget or having 'buyers regret' about a
purchase.
Those who are average and early shoppers have some
time however to get over any unwise purchases
because such purchases can be returned and a better
choice can be made.
There is however another type of shopper. The late
or chronically late
shopper is stuck with hoping that 'Aunt Sally' or
Grandma will like the gift selected, even if the
buyer had second thoughts about it after the
purchase was made. The late shopper is one who
realizes that there us a mere five (5) days - less
than a week to go - before Christmas and not a
single gift has been bought.
Worse off than the late shopper is the chronically
late Christmas shopper who is in a mad frenzy two
(2) days before Christmas and faces a crisis when a
desired gift such as a book has to be ordered and
won't be shipped in time for Christmas.
While those shoppers can get comfort from knowing
they will likely benefit from the lowest markdowns
of the period, they will also find scanty selections
and some items, primarily clothing, that appear a
bit worn from all the looking over and handling done
by the hordes of Christmas shoppers. But even these
late shoppers, who are often procrastinators and who
can only be spurred into action by a looming
deadline, can execute a strategy to make their
Christmas shopping
successful. Such a strategy involves more don'ts
than things to do.
Late Christmas shoppers should try to avoid having
lists that have unusual or hard-to-get items that
will need to be ordered. While retailers will offer
shipping in time for Christmas, orders usually have
to be made before a certain time, for example at
least 36-72 hours before Christmas. If items aren't
ordered within that timeframe, there is no guarantee
that they will arrive for the big day.
Those who do their Christmas shopping late should
also be prepared to find items on their own in
stores and not expect to get 'hand-holding help'
from sales clerks. With only days to go before
Christmas and with everyone trying to get their last
minute shopping done, it is impossible for most
retailers to have enough staff to offer expert or
even meaningful help to please the majority of
Christmas shoppers.
Soon after the excitement of Christmas Day passes,
what frequently is the topic of conversations and
what remains memorable in the New Year, is what
gifts were received and given. So, in the coming
days, it may be worth it to assess the type of
shopper that you are and create a plan and strategy
to make sure you will be a perfect Santa who will
deliver the right gifts to friends and loved ones.