Buy Christmas gifts NOW!

Actually, for real bargains, you should have bought your Christmas gifts in September.

I say this as an Amazon seller who has noticed a dramatic slump in prices during the summer which (apart from the occasional unpredictable peak) only recovers as buying begins to pick up towards the end of October. Anyone leaving it until just before Christmas will find popular products have reached premium prices. What this means is that people who are organised enough to buy gifts well before the Christmas rush will be in for some great bargains.

But it's not too late yet. This year, presumably because of consumer fears about the global financial crisis, while sales have begun to pick up it does appear that buyers are still waiting.

And of course, if you're not convinced, let's check this out... take a look at a few prices now and compare them again just before Christmas. Today's prices on Amazon UK for the following bestsellers:

Silverlit PicooZ MX1 Supreme Micro Helicopter
Amazon price (spend over £15 and get free shipping) £9.99
Cheapest alternative with shipping £14.48

Original Rubik's Cube
Amazon price £8.99
Cheapest alternative (including delivery) £9.33

Official Borat Mankini (you KNOW you want one!)
Amazon price £3.84
Cheapest alternative £6.39

Star Wars Clone Wars Ultimate Lightsaber
Amazon price £30.49 (obviously the best bet with delivery included)
Cheapest alternative £33.98

Why would I tell you? Well, apart from being useful information for my readers, it has to be said that completing 70% of annual turnover in 6 weeks is really not convenient!

So... never mind the credit crunch... get out there and enjoy your Christmas shopping before the Christmas rush!