Bombay Co. closing after the holidays

The housing slump is trickling down into home furnishings.

Bombay Co., a purveyor of trendy furnishings and accessories at middle-brow price points, will close all 400 of its U.S. stores after the winter holiday shopping season. It's the last chance the bankrupt Texas-based chain will have to sell off its Christmas inventory.

The going-out-of-business sale provides an opportunity for shoppers to find goods at bargain-basement prices. But don't buy on impulse, please. Assume you won't be able to return or exchange merchandise.

So if you do go hunting for close-out goods, take measurements of spaces you might want to fill. Inspect boxes of disassembled furniture closely to make certain all pieces are enclosed. And take a small flashlight or penlight with you to the store, so you can inspect furniture on the floor for dings and other imperfections.

Buyer beware -- and be ready.