Time of year doesn't matter.  
 There are always providers who have caught my eye over time--as with someone with your reviews Patricia, no issue about quality, but perhaps issues about price, exact chemistry, wasn't available at right time or whatever. I fully understand the business issues providers are facing but this is an expensive hobby and you hate to use big chunks of a limited hobby budget on situations that aren't quite right. So anytime specials are offered it is a great opportunity to pursue interesting opportunities with lower risk. Meet and greets can help reduce those risks as well, but those aren't common, and provider attendance can be pretty limited.