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For A Limited Time Only
December 9, 2006

It seems odd and a bit disconcerting that this time every year various merchants and product producers torment consumers with “limited time” products referred to as “holiday offerings” or “seasonal specials.” These are items that all seem to disappear from store shelves in early January. I am left wondering why these “limited” products are only available during the holiday season.

I'm not speaking of snow tires, Christmas tree decorations or other specifically themed products for the holidays; I'm speaking of things like egg nog, fruitcake, and other items that appear mysteriously after Thanksgiving and then disappear just as mysteriously after Christmas. If the products are so outstanding they merit sale during the holidays, why can’t we have them all year long? Merchants are throwing away millions of dollars in potential profits.

I love egg-nog. Why can’t I buy it in May? Certainly not because the egg-nog producers are concerned about my health. Do cows give egg-nog only in November and December? Where do all the fruitcakes go? Fruitcake is the quintessential breakfast substitute for cereal and also appropriate as a late night snack. Why do I have to special-order it after December?

Limited-time products cause serious ethical dilemmas for merchants. What can they do with left-over egg-nog they didn’t sell? Freeze it and keep it for next year? Throw it out and take a loss? Does the manufacturer take unsold egg-nog back? If so, what do they do with it, feed it to their cows?

I have long wondered if our merchants take unsold holiday merchandise and store it in secret warehouses until next year. That would logically explain all the stale-tasting candy and chocolate we buy every year at this time. Why don’t stores just sell last year’s left-over Christmas candy at Halloween? The kids wouldn’t care.

I suspect Starbucks does take back unsold stock from store shelves. At the end of the year they mix it all together and redistribute it as a “Christmas blend.“ When the Christmas blend doesn’t sell out, that is not a problem. They’ll take it back, save the beans and grounds and do the same thing with it next year. At least that’s what it tastes like to me.

And a special note of thanks to Land O’Lakes for getting me addicted to Cocoa Classics, apparently available only during the holiday season. I like this excellent cocoa mix so much I would faithfully and regularly drink the beverage all year long. Unfortunately, Land O’Lakes forced me to purchase enough at one time to last until next Christmas and now there’s no money left over to purchase holiday gifts for my friends. No, they’re not getting any of my cocoa.

Consumers, make a list of holiday specials you would like to buy year-round. We’re the ones spending the money and we should have the right to buy German gingerbread cookies in July.

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