In this wild fire-sale atmosphere, some companies have been "promising more than they can deliver" to get airline business-fare discounts, Mr. Rosenbluth said.
Instead of working now to build new markets and compete against other forms of discretionary spending, the major airlines are foolishly trying to "knock each other off" by undercutting fares "at ridiculous prices" in the current fire-sale atmosphere, he said.
Racks of moth-defying garb from the last seven decades start inside the houses and explode into their front yards, creating a perpetual garage-sale atmosphere - albeit with much higher price tags.
During the first part of the sale, the atmosphere of intense competition could in part be accounted for by the fact that the first 31 works came from the collection formed by the late author Michael Crichton, the man who graduated from Harvard Medical School and used his knowledge of biology to the create the dinosaurs of "Jurassic Park".
"The other hotels in South Beach have a party atmosphere," the sales director, Jorge Collazo, said, describing his pitch to the financial groups ("especially hedge funds") that dominate the Setai's clientele.
You can come along in the afternoon incognito as an "interested observer" and see some of the toys and clothes that are on sale, drink in the atmosphere and maybe even talk to some kinksters.
A diet which would let you have two martinis before lunch, and a thick steak generously spread with Sauce Béarnaise, so that you could make your sale in a relaxed atmosphere and go back to the office without worrying about having gained so much as an ounce?
In these centres, the sales are eternal, yet the atmosphere is as frenzied as Oxford Street on 1 January.
"The sales have a more intimate atmosphere in our 300-square-meter auction room," Ms. Wang said, referring to a space equivalent to about 3,200 square feet.
This year was no exception with many reporting brisk business on the opening night.Despite the sales, there is a skittish atmosphere in Basle this year.
