Anyone going shopping for Black Friday?

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I honestly think is more hype than the actual savings.
  • Profile picture of the author Cali16
    While I think there are some very good deals to be found, I avoid retail stores on Black Friday like the plague.

    I remember going to the mall several days before Christmas a few years ago. I came out to my car for a few minutes (to make a couple calls where I could hear clearly), with the intent to go back inside the mall shortly.

    As I was sitting in my car, this woman literally started pounding on my window. I opened it a couple inches, and she started yelling at me because she wanted to park there. She ranted about how I had no right to get in my car and not leave. The really silly part was that there were plenty of open parking spaces that day - several of which were just 3 or 4 spaces away from the one I was in. (If she had been initially waiting for me to pull out of my space, I didn't see her; I certainly didn't mean to infuriate anyone.) And that wasn't even Black Friday! I'm quite sure it's far worse!

    People like her are the reason I have no interest in hitting the stores on Black Friday. No savings is worth dealing with the crowds, long lines, or sheer lunacy it brings out in some people. Besides, a lot of online retailers are offering similar deals. Nothing like shopping from the comfort of home!
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    • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
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      Originally Posted by Cali16 View Post

      While I think there are some very good deals to be found, I avoid retail stores on Black Friday like the plague.

      I remember going to the mall several days before Christmas a few years ago. I came out to my car for a few minutes (to make a couple calls where I could hear clearly), with the intent to go back inside the mall shortly.

      As I was sitting in my car, this woman literally started pounding on my window. I opened it a couple inches, and she started yelling at me because she wanted to park there. She ranted about how I had no right to get in my car and not leave. The really silly part was that there were plenty of open parking spaces that day - some of which were just 3 or 4 spaces away from the one I was in. (If she had been initially waiting for me to pull out of my space, I didn't see her; I certainly didn't mean to infuriate anyone.)

      People like her are the reason I have no interest in hitting the stores on Black Friday. No savings is worth dealing with the crowds, long lines, or sheer lunacy it brings out in some people. Besides, a lot of online retailers are offering similar deals. Nothing like shopping from the comfort of home!
      Yep, that's why I hate America. She could've been packing heat. Or maybe in heat. lol.
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      • Profile picture of the author salegurus
        Tried it once, never again.... Dealing with manic crowds of unpleasant people, no thanks...
        I'd rather do my bargain hunting online and from the comfort of my sofa...





        Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

        Yep, that's why I hate America. She could've been packing heat. Or maybe in heat. lol.
        Now that statement is completely stupid, how long have you been living in America?
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      • Profile picture of the author Cali16
        Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

        Yep, that's why I hate America. She could've been packing heat. Or maybe in heat. lol.
        Well, despite how the news media may depict our country at times, the reality is that most people aren't walking around carrying handguns (or any other type of gun) and shooting people. (Btw, have you ever even been to the U.S.??)

        Violent crime happens all over the world, not just here in the U.S. In fact, Sri Lanka certainly doesn't appear to be exempt from gun violence (that's where you live, if I recall correctly):

        Have-gun-will-kill homicide spree highlights illicit firearm proliferation | The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka
        Gun shots and violence at Sri Lankan protest march - Australia Network News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
        BBC News - Three killed in Sri Lanka election violence
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
        Originally Posted by WalkingCarpet View Post

        Yep, that's why I hate America. She could've been packing heat. Or maybe in heat. lol.
        Somebody seems to be feeling better.
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        • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
          I'm not certain if I will or not.My usual answer is if I can't order it over my computer, I am not battling traffic and crazed shoppers. Besides, if you start buying appropriate presents during the year, there isn't much reason to shop in a panic, especially when the real bargains advertised are likely limited quantity.

          I read some news report that people had staked out their place in line....might have been a Best Buy somewhere three weeks early. How can anyone be that desperate?
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        • Profile picture of the author WalkingCarpet
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          Originally Posted by Dan Riffle View Post

          Somebody seems to be feeling better.
          All these 'Only in America' stuff always cheers me up!
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          • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
            No, No, a thousand times No!

            They recently did a survey in my area and most people said they shop Black Friday just for the experience!

            Are you kidding me? I'd rather have my nasal hairs plucked out one by one, lol!


            Terra
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            • Profile picture of the author Joe Stewart
              Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

              No, No, a thousand times No!

              They recently did a survey in my area and most people said they shop Black Friday just for the experience!

              Are you kidding me? I'd rather have my nasal hairs plucked out one by one, lol!


              Terra
              Took the words right out of my mouth. :-)
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            • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
              Originally Posted by MissTerraK View Post

              I'd rather have my nasal hairs plucked out one by one, lol!


              Terra
              Terra; I actually had other plans for Friday, but I'm calling Riffle to see if he can fit this in.
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              • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
                Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

                Terra; I actually had other plans for Friday, but I'm calling Riffle to see if he can fit this in.
                Haha!

                I'm sure he could find something more exciting to do on Friday...

                But wait, while he's here, I could have him bring up all of my totes of Christmas decorations from the basement and hang all of the lighted garland over all of the doors. Then untangle all of the strings of Christmas lights, plug them in to make sure they're all working. If not, he then could run out shopping to buy me some replacements sets.

                Then when he finished with all of that, he could settle in and join my grandkiddies in their Christmas Movie Marathon on the big screen TV in the family room, since I'll be out of sorts after my hair removal procedure.

                Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author socialentry
        lol @ rednecks and ghetto people
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    Never. Did it once and I find running with a pack of animals through a store for bargains to be debasing.
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      They DARE to blame the STORE for a lack of security? Which should the store have done? Hire 1000 ARMED security guards? SERIOUSLY, it would have to be like 1000, for them to be in the right spot. Without guns, they may have been pushed down. Outside of a DECENT culture, or a PROXY controlled by a line, they really couldn't have done better!

      They COULD have, for example, had numbered TICKETS that would have to be arranged in a LINE. If a person broke the rules before the fact, NO TICKET. If a person broke the rules AFTER the fact, no VALID ticket! They could simply invalidate the ticket. The VALID ticket could then allow them to have the item added to the order. But if you just put them out, many WILL RUSH to get them, and even STEAL them!

      I HATE crowded stores, and THIS is one reason why!

      I tried to buy from a cyber monday flash sale once. I got a 50% discount. They mixed up my addresses, and sent it to the wrong zipcode. SERIOUSLY! They couldn't spend a few miliseconds to discover their mistake, and had to send it about 3000 miles only to have the other branch say THERE IS NO SUCH STREET!?!?!?!? Suppose the address DID exist? What THEN? Since the mail handlers were mindless, they wasted time sending it across the continent. My KNOWN 2 day span became an UNKNOWN 2 WEEK span, Since I could NOT tolerate that, I had them send out another at a <0% discount. THAT ******SUPPOSEDLY****** was delivered. The people that would sign said it never came. The person that supposedly delivered it first said he delivered nothing, and then said he delivered it. STILL, I never got it. After all that time, NOTHING. TIME was gone, my knowledge of where I would be vanished, so I really lost out. I hope the company lost BOTH packages, and that the mailman(guilty of fraud and theft) was FIRED!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
    I treat Black Friday sales like all other sales: If I'm in the market for the product and I happen to find it on sale, then great. But I'm not waking up at 5 am just to save some bucks. Not because I couldn't make up for the sleep, but because I'd rather find ways of making more money so I can buy the product at full price and avoid waking up at 5 am.
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  • Profile picture of the author H.Miller
    I haven't been shopping on Black Friday in a few years. Its just not worth it. People get out of hand and go way overboard. And honestly I don't know that the savings are all the good. I agree that its more hype than anything else.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      I don't think Black Friday should even exist. I believe in equality, but having an entire day when only African Americans can shop...is going a little too far, in my opinion.

      And they call me out of touch with reality. Jeesh!



      Originally Posted by Darkangel95 View Post

      I honestly think is more hype than the actual savings.
      I just know in my store, it's more hype than savings.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
    Originally Posted by Darkangel95 View Post

    I honestly think is more hype than the actual savings.
    Spending isn't saving.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

      Spending isn't saving.
      Probably not something I would say to a customer....But clever. And true.

      Never be part of a Feeding Frenzy. You make the absolute worst buying decisions when you think there is a race to buy.

      I know. I create the illusion of a Feeding Frenzy for a living.
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      • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        Probably not something I would say to a customer....But clever. And true.

        Never be part of a Feeding Frenzy. You make the absolute worst buying decisions when you think there is a race to buy.

        I know. I create the illusion of a Feeding Frenzy for a living.
        Yeah I know some of your sales techniques..

        "Up to 70% off in our red dot sale. Color blind customers only."

        "Buy now and save on next years prices"

        "Buy one, get ten free on all pregnant fluffy bunnies: Allow up to 3 months for delivery"
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        • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
          Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

          Yeah I know some of your sales techniques..

          "Up to 70% off in our red dot sale. Color blind customers only."

          "Buy now and save on next years prices"

          "Buy one, get ten free on all pregnant fluffy bunnies: Allow up to 3 months for delivery"
          My best sales;

          "Buy one and actually get it."
          "Pay for two, and get two."
          "Buy now, before lack of demand lowers prices"
          "Buy on sale. Only a fool would pay what we charged everyone else"
          "Last one in stock. Except for the 120 in the back"
          Best reason to buy now "Buy today, I get paid tomorrow"

          "Buy local. Because I happen to live in the same town"
          "Don't be fooled by Wal-Mart's better selection, lower prices, and liberal return policy. I'll let you rub my tummy"

          "Buy, and then get out"

          "We may have higher prices, but we make up for it, with our shorter hours"

          "Guess how many Jelly Beans are in the jar, and I'll let you buy it"

          "We have public restrooms. You can't use them..but they don't have walls"

          "We sell at suggested retail. The manufacturer suggested it...so we are taking their advice"

          "Come to my store and buy at the best prices...for me"

          "Service with a smirk"
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          • Profile picture of the author Silas Hart
            No. Financially, it wouldn't be worth it to me to save a couple hundred dollars on items by spending a couple hours waiting in a line or standing uncomfortably shoulder to shoulder in a large crowd. That would be like me handing someone a $100 bill and in return, they hand me a $10 bill.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikeink
    NOPE! Someone may want my special COFFEE, and take it from me. Then I will you figure that out.
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  • Profile picture of the author unidentified
    There are a lot of hot deal on Amazon, ebay, walmart...I dont think I will go to store
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by unidentified View Post

      There are a lot of hot deal on Amazon, ebay, walmart...I dont think I will go to store
      I thought Black Friday was only really in America.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
    Not only no, but HELL no. Did that once about 20 years ago. Never again.

    Yesterday I saw a Macy's commercial. They're starting their black friday at 6 PM on Thursday. Oh - and giving away over a million dollars in prizes.

    Just what we need - MORE incentive for large crowds looking to trample each other to save money.
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  • Profile picture of the author gkishore
    It just isn't worth the hassle. I would rather order one online (pretty good deals online too), and call it a day.
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  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    Can someone explain to me why it's called Black Friday?

    I understand why any 13th day of the month that falls on a Friday is called Black Friday, but can't find any good explanations online about why the Friday after Thanksgiving is called that.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      Can someone explain to me why it's called Black Friday?

      I understand why any 13th day of the month that falls on a Friday is called Black Friday, but can't find any good explanations online about why the Friday after Thanksgiving is called that.
      In the 19th century, Thanksgiving dinners were cooked on Thanksgiving...and the black soot came out of the chimneys. On the following day, the windows, of the shops in town, were covered with a thin film of black soot. So they called it "Black Friday". Eventually, the term was used in marketing and retail sales.



      I'm pulling your leg. I have no idea.
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      • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        In the 19th century, Thanksgiving dinners were cooked on Thanksgiving...and the black soot came out of the chimneys. On the following day, the windows, of the shops in town, were covered with a thin film of black soot. So they called it "Black Friday". Eventually, the term was used in marketing and retail sales.
        That actually sounds more plausible than some of the explanations I've found so far.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

      Can someone explain to me why it's called Black Friday?

      I understand why any 13th day of the month that falls on a Friday is called Black Friday, but can't find any good explanations online about why the Friday after Thanksgiving is called that.
      I read this once before, but years ago I believe in the 50's, it stemmed from so many people calling in sick the day after Thanksgiving so they could have a four day weekend.

      It was also used by many retailers who through the course of the year tended to operate at a loss (in the red) then from the Friday after Thanksgiving through Christmas they would turn a profit (in the black) - so Black Friday marked the beginning of the profit season.

      Now, of course, it simply means great deals, sales and body crushing door busters...
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

        I read this once before, but years ago I believe in the 50's, it stemmed from so many people calling in sick the day after Thanksgiving so they could have a four day weekend.

        It was also used by many retailers who through the course of the year tended to operate at a loss (in the red) then from the Friday after Thanksgiving through Christmas they would turn a profit (in the black) - so Black Friday marked the beginning of the profit season.

        Now, of course, it simply means great deals, sales and body crushing door busters...
        That's what I had read, as well.
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      • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
        The main reason I've been able to find is the one about retailers suddenly going in to the black. Forgive the pun, but I'm not buying into that.

        This one sounds the most plausible to me.

        Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

        it stemmed from so many people calling in sick the day after Thanksgiving so they could have a four day weekend.
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  • Profile picture of the author NeedBucksNow
    Must sell more in 1 day than they do all month. Might get out but so much easier to just order it online now
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  • Profile picture of the author Theduke2011
    I prefer Cyber Monday where I don't have to compete to buy stuff..
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Originally Posted by Theduke2011 View Post

      I prefer Cyber Monday where I don't have to compete to buy stuff..
      Same here. You can still find great deals AND free shipping!
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  • Profile picture of the author WireNine
    Outside? NO! Its way too cold to be waiting around in lines. Online, yes
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