that there will be a period with no "trades"
This is true... hwoever there are times when they do server maintenance etc, where, basically the expiry time of a trade is extended out.
so eg: if you had a guy who's sale was going to finish at 3pm and they take the server down for 2 hours, his sale will now finish at 5pm.
So really, thats all they have to do. I used the wrong word when i said 'disabled'... really i just meant 'postpone'.
either way its not a big deal. heck id be happy with something in the game manual that says 'be wary of trades around this time'.... at least its out there.