Prompt Cast
Inside the Christmas Tree Auction: A Planet Money Tale
TLDR Planet Money tries to sell Christmas trees in Brooklyn but faces challenges due to a nationwide Christmas tree shortage, leading to the idea of buying in bulk at auction to potentially turn a profit. Despite struggles and resorting to desperate tactics, the team breaks even after selling misfit trees branded as "Zoom trees" in a competitive market.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Robert Smith and Nick Fountain try to sell Christmas trees in a fancy Brooklyn neighborhood but struggle to find buyers in this Planet Money Christmas tale.
04:18
A massive Christmas tree auction with 45,000 trees takes place at the Buffalo Valley Auction Center in Pennsylvania, with the auctioneer moving from tree pile to tree pile on the back of a pickup truck.
08:13
A variety of Christmas tree types are auctioned off to buyers, setting the stage for a competitive and potentially expensive year for Christmas trees.
11:49
Christmas tree growers are facing a critical shortage this year due to past economic struggles, leading to fewer trees available for auction.
15:24
A nationwide Christmas tree shortage leads to the idea of buying a large quantity at auction to potentially turn a profit in New York.
19:08
Kerry Nalls is excited after getting a good deal on Christmas trees at an auction, inspiring the idea of selling misfit trees branded as "Zoom trees" for profit in New York.
23:21
The Planet Money team struggles to negotiate the sale of a Christmas tree in Brooklyn after revealing the story behind it.
27:34
The Planet Money team struggled to sell Christmas trees in Brooklyn, resorting to desperate tactics like using a cowbell and selling to coworkers, ultimately breaking even after accounting for all expenses.
32:09
The market for tall Christmas trees, particularly 10-footers or bigger, has seen price increases due to slower growth rates, while the average price of cut Christmas trees is expected to remain around $80, with the market stabilizing after years of price hikes.
