"When that happens, they tend to postpone purchases of high-priced things," he said.

But some analysts see the drop as evidence that companies are merely postponing purchases until the new year.

Even companies whose customers cannot easily postpone purchases are concerned.

If people think prices will fall in the future, they will postpone purchases.

"Others are postponing purchases so they can give more."

While people may postpone purchases of cars, they continue to replace their tires.

He added that many buyers might have postponed purchases until after the industry's international technology exhibition, held earlier this month.

Since the company's demise, they have postponed renovations and purchases of new equipment.

On the other, consumers may postpone purchases under the assumption that they will get much more value per dollar by waiting.

In addition, he said, customers might have postponed purchases in anticipation of new products.