Consumer concerns

Factory shutdowns and slowdowns in Japan could have an impact on your ability to buy popular consumer goods. Kelli Grant, Senior Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com tells what you need to know.

It's more than earthquake damage. Some factories were damaged by the earthquake and tsunami directly. But more are having problems with the aftereffects. They can't get steady power, there are still transportation problems, and a shortage of available workers.

Think beyond "made in Japan." Japan's factories do make some finished goods, like Sony TVs and the Toyota Prius, but many of the goods are small things, like transistors that go into the microchips that go into your computer or a car's navigation system. Many companies are still figuring out the extent on which they rely on Japan for an item they need.

Shop around for when buying cars. Automakers including Nissan, Toyota and GM have alerted dealerships to expect fewer new vehicles coming to the lot. That can effectively erase any deals, including cash-back promotions and leverage to haggle. Popular cars like the Prius are already going for more than sticker price. Compare prices across dealerships, and check the used market for recent model years.

Expect gadget competition. There's some speculation that wait times for hot electronics like the iPad 2 could get even longer. Other manufacturers may simply have empty spaces on store shelves. But there's likely to be lots of price competition, as gadget-makers compete for your attention on remaining models.

Analysts are in agreement -- the shortages may be widespread, but they're not long term. Japan's government is working hard to get its economy back on track, and the individual manufacturers are doing what they have to, too. Availability is likely to ease by mid-summer at the latest, so just hold tight if you don't absolutely need to make a particular purchase right now.

For more information on how the earthquake and tsunami in Japan could affect consumers in the U.S. click here.