Do you miss out on deals if you Christmas shop early?

[britfish]

I have started a little shopping but now I am wondering if I should wait for sales. For example, I remember last year Toys R Us had a sale on the Fisher Price loving family sets, I was browsing them today but wondering if I should wait for sales. I do most of my shopping online but really wanted to spread the expenses out this year.

 

[MomToOne]

For me, it depends on what items I am looking for.

Toys that are plentiful I wait until closer to Christmas, because the deals often get much better. But you have to weigh the price issue against the fact that a specific toy may become "hot" and completely unable to find if you wait. What I will sometimes do is buy it locally if I see what I think is a good price early, but save the receipt so I can return it if I get a better deal later (but pay attention to return policies/timeframes if you do this). I typically won't buy toys early online, unless I see what I want at a ridiculous price or I can return it at a local B&M store and not have to pay return shipping. And of course, there is always the Target clearance sales - anything there is fair game if it is on my list and it hits 75% off

Electronics I sort of follow the same rules, but I am somewhat more willing to buy what I want online earlier if I see a good deal, mainly because I refuse to fight black friday sales and I generally don't see deals too much better closer to Christmas for the types of things I typically buy.

Outside of toys and electronics, I will pick up all sorts of things before Christmas when I see amazing deals. I guess my rule is to evaluate just HOW good a deal it is before Christmas - if it is great to amazing, I buy it. If its just an OK deal, I usually pass. I have lots of stuff I've already grabbed for this year, from bath/body items to blankets to art supplies for DD11.

And of course, if I buy something early, my rule is that I don't keep checking on the price - that's just self-torture

 

[disneyofcourse]

Usually for the stuff I buy the deals are way better closer to Christmas. BUT..sometimes its just worth paying a little more and getting in now and dealing with less traffic and other crazy shoppers. If its a fair price then I'll just get it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

It's been so long since I've been able to shop early, I don't remember.

Nowadays, the kids don't tell me what they want until early December. Since I do most christmas shopping on the internet, it's fine.

I never know what to get everyone else until I start reading what other folks have bought in-laws, parents, ect. So I haven't shopped early for them in years.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

My problem is I will start early, but just keep on buying until Christmas, and end up with tooo much for my kids. Now for everyone else I don't overbuy, because we set the amount, and I would love to start early for them to find the perfect gift at the perfect price, but nowadays we draw names and i don't know until Thanksgiving who to buy for...

 

[clanmcculloch]

The only stuff I buy early is stuff I find good deals on or the items that I really want to get that I'm pretty sure will sell out before the holidays. I can't understand the point of buying early if it's not a good deal and will still be available later. If you're worried you'll spend the money, withdraw it from the bank and put the cash in an envelope in an easy to remember spot that you won't be looking at on a daily basis.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I shop early and would rather do it early and make sure I get what I want. A lot of times closer to the holiday the supply is limited. If something does go on sale and its worth it I will return what I have bought and get the sale price. But like PP said why deal with crowds, weather and crazy drivers hoping to get a good deal. I enjoy being done before others even start. I can sit back relax and enjoy the up comeing holiday and not feel stressed.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'm going to add that I do all my holiday shopping online. It's pretty rare that I find a deal in a store that I can't also find online and it has to be a HUGE savings to get me into the stores.

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

. I can't understand the point of buying early if it's not a good deal and will still be available later.

Crowds, weather, traffic,stress, no time to do everything we feel we need to do ie:baking, christmas programs, family get togethers, wrapping, decorating, etc etc

Getting stressed just thinking about it

 

[KrysiaG]

I shop early ONLY if it is a MEGA discount. For instance, Target had their annual 75% off big toy sale about a month ago and I stocked up on MANY items for my kids (especially my boys) for Christmas.

NOw their big gifts, I wait because I LOVE Amazon's holiday shopping section. I don't feel I can get better deals than that, to be honest.

 

[eliza61]

Nope.

Actually the best deals are to be had after Christmas. I'm a bit cynical on so called "sales". The new apple Ipad will pretty much be the same price from now until christmas. you may get a few bucks off here or there but that's about it.

The best price on tv's and other electronics are actually on line.
Not sure about toys anymore as my kids are past that stage.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I call myself and "frugal opportune" shopper. I take any opportunity that shows me something that I can be frugal, especially if it is something on deep discount. Today I just bought a very nice nightgown, Eileen West, perfect for my Mom and got it for less than 50% off. It is a summer style, but where she lives, she wears them year-around. It will make a great gift for her, and although I *might* be able to find something a little cheaper at Christmas sales, I doubt I could match the quality for the price.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

Crowds, weather, traffic,stress, no time to do everything we feel we need to do ie:baking, christmas programs, family get togethers, wrapping, decorating, etc etc

Getting stressed just thinking about it

Not to mention those of us who work in retail....that is our busiest season and trust me, after helping everyone else find the perfect gift, you really really don't feel like shopping for your own .

 

[Swimalie]

I don't think I do. I start the day after Christmas for the next one (or birthday) and buy as the year goes on. I only buy if something is on sale or clearance. Then I keep them in a special place in the house and when Christmas time rolls around I can concentrate on other things besides shopping all the time.

Although, my cards have gotten out of hand. I have Christmas cards for the next 2 years now. Plus I have left overs from last year.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

I get things when they go on sale or I find a great deal. So far my best find is the pink Leappad for my DD4 that I got this week. It is a brand new toy that retails for $99.99 and I got a new one on eBay (which ended up shipping directly from Toys R Us and included the Toys R Us receipt) for $49.99 and free shipping and it also came with a $20 app card. I already put the $20 app card into my Leapfrog account and used part of it, so I know the code was valid and the Leappad is sitting in my closet. For that price, I'll store it until Christmas

You do want to watch the warranty on stuff you buy. If it only has a 90 day warranty, your warranty runs out pretty much on Christmas day, so you need to consider that when deciding if it is a good thing to buy this early.

 

[timzagain]

I have learned to pick my battles! I tend to wait until closer to Christmas to buy the "big gift" because we've had to deal with the mind-changing, that's-so-last-year issue in the past. The other problem is that with part-time jobs, our "children" earn their own money and will save up and buy their wish list items for themselves, leaving me stuck with duplicate gifts!

I shop early for the gifts for the people outside of our immediate household though. My business is very seasonal, and I have no time or inclination to try to stick in shopping for over 20 people into my overly packed schedule.

If I am buying early, I try to stay away from fads, and overly trendy items. I don't buy electronics too early either. Did that last year against my better judgement, and ended up buying DD12 an old model iPod touch a few weeks before the new one hit the market. She loves her it, but I wished I had got the newer model so that she can enjoy some of the newer apps that are available.

 

[budafam]

I'm also a big fan of the Target sale in mid-summer. I bought over $1000 worth of toys for just over $200. I'm set for the next 3 years... I guess you can't get any "earlier" than that. lol... I'm sure there will be a few things to pick up on Black Friday though... I always take advantage of the battery deals, odds and ends for the in-laws & DH.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I start early, I probably tend to spend more because of that, but for me it's also spread out. I can do a little here and there on the weekend otherwise as we get closer it can be an entire day or weekend in the mall followed by the next and the one after that too besides you are out there with everyone else too. I like know that by December 1, I'm pretty much done and most of the time wrapped and my time can be spent relaxing and enjoying the holidays with my family. I may spend a little more, but the time saved is much more important for me.

 

[luvmy3]

No, I shop early because I find deals early. I don't bu anything that isn't on sale or clearance with one exception for Christmas this year. I got my ds a red Nintendo 3DS because I was worried it may be a HTF color the closer it gets to Christmas. Since its the newest DS version the price will not go lower and I can find promos on video games for it now.

 

[PHXscuba]

If there's a specific electronic that won't go on sale (like and Ipod Touch), I wait until the weeks before Christmas because Target will usually offer a gift card with purchase. I got a $30 card buy DS's Touch last year.

I have a mother that wants gift lists near the beginning of November, so I have to make my lists early even if I'm not ready to buy. For example, I know I will probably get DD9 a camera this year, so I will be watching deals and pull the trigger when it gets to a number I like.

PHXscuba