Yesterday, September 23rd, I wanted to buy a high-volume floor fan to air out the chapel before we turn the air conditioning on each week.
I know, in most parts of the country right now, it barely gets hot during the DAY, nevermind at night. But here in south-central Texas we're still in the middle of Summer, with highs around 93 and lows around 70. It's too humid to open the windows EVEN AT NIGHT!
Suffice to say that a Texan wouldn't be crazy to be in the market for a box fan, floor fan, any kind of fan, or an air conditioner right now. It wouldn't even be "off season" for him.
I went to town yesterday trying to buy a fan, and couldn't find one! All the stores were sold out -- Wal-mart, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. I tried Target, but they only had some weaker household ones -- none of the high powered, metal floor fans.
And what was in the fan aisle at Lowe's instead? CHRISTMAS STUFF. Yes, it's over a month until Halloween (which doesn't need that much time to prepare for, let's be realistic. It's a single day for crying out loud, not a season!) and it's even further until Thanksgiving. But Lowe's thinks that people spend more during the "Holiday Season" so they're trying to stretch it out as much as possible.
I think we've entered the realm of comedy here. It's ridiculous, ludicrous, and insane to be putting out Christmas ornaments OVER THREE MONTHS before December 25th.
This isn't a traditional Catholic "what about Advent?" rant. This goes well beyond that. I've come to be accustomed to the usual Christmas hoopla from Thanksgiving until December 25, almost to the point of acceptance. But trying to get people in a Christmassy buying mood in the middle of SEPTEMBER? Insane.
Also, I would like to point out that capitalism has failed in this case. You're telling me that more Texans would like a couple packs of Christmas ornaments than a new fan? Not according to the employees of the store. She seemed to know already who was sold out. Apparently there is a huge demand, and it's not being met.
Isn't that basic supply and demand economics? Someone will provide what people want, in the hopes of making money and earning a living? Well, I'll give away a free tip here: sell fans during late Summer (August, September, October) in Texas, and you'll make a mint!
Another problem with national corporations -- they like to standardize everything, regardless of local differences.