"The economic crisis has directly affected demand, especially from the financial industry," says McCown. "Hedge funds, investment banks, private-equity firms, venture capitalists: When we go talk to them as our clients, they're walking cautiously."

Still, he has no plans to broadcast the new prices aggressively, preferring instead to get the word out through his sales force when the topic comes up. After all, he says, what if Air Partner committed to the new low pricing, and the economy turned around?

Hence, sizeable discounts on luxury goods are being doled out discreetly. Canyon Ranch, the chain of spa retreats, personally phoned clients in the past few weeks to offer 25 percent off a stay if they brought a guest. Cornelia Day Resort, a spa on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, is slipping $30 credits toward gift-card purchases into clients' lockers. And 3Lab, the exclusive skin-care company whose standard face cream sells in Saks and Barneys for $400, is offering free facials with any purchase at Barneys across the U.S.

Retailers like Elie Tahari and Bergdorf Goodman are offering free shipping, "private" discounts, and earlier-than-usual sales. This week, Women’s Wear Daily reported that department stores were asking designers to launch collections with lower price points. Tori Burch said she was hoping to start creating more “affordable” evening wear.

Over the next few months, Dana Telsey, the chief research officer at the Telsey Advisory Group, an equity research and consulting firm specializing in retail in New York, predicts that consumers will see an unprecedented barrage of sales and special offers.

"This holiday season is poised to be more promotional than others, given the volatility of the financial markets, which is having an impact on all consumers, both high-end and low-end," Telsey says.

On Manhattan's Upper West Side, Ed Brown, the chef and owner of new restaurant Eighty One, has extended and modified the prix-fixe menu he created over the summer to accommodate clients hurt by the financial crisis. The menu offers two courses for $42 dollars, allowing customers to save about $20 per person on the average check.

Brown's clients, who mostly come from the moneyed stretch of Central Park West that encompasses luxury buildings like the Beresford, have displayed a range of reactions to the financial crisis.

"The 30- to 45-year-olds that still have young families, they take the hit much harder," says Brown. "Their retirement and kids' education plans got a whack. The guys who make $1 million a year may make nothing this year. People just aren't sure what to do yet. Do we stop going out?"

If they don't, at least they just might get a deal.