The banks see an opportunity to lend money to Chinese customers for big-ticket purchases, especially cars.

Improved access to credit reduces the need to save before big-ticket purchases.

But big-ticket purchases can be put off, and that is exactly what Rob Hendry plans to do.

Avoid making big-ticket purchases during times of duress (e.g. coping with a death or debt).

Avoiding taxes on such big-ticket purchases is nothing new.

Companies often offer dating services and discounts for big-ticket purchases.

Its sales tumbled 17 percent in 2003, as customers put off big-ticket purchases.

While people are more open to big-ticket purchases than at any time since 1999, they continue to have low expectations for their personal income.

So far, consumers were not backing off big-ticket purchases.

"If it's a big-ticket purchase, you're not going to make it right away," he said.