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
