Do you plan on shopping on Black Friday?

[kevinthediltz]

God no. I don't want to get run over by 200 crazy mothers that NEED to get their child that one special toy. I'll go skiing instead.

[papayahed]

Door Buster Sales here I come!!

[DanielBenoit]

I'll be shacked up in my basement reading Karl Marx thank you very much :nod:

[Virgil]

Not me. I don't like shopping on a quiet day. ;)

[Dori]

I actually went with my mom last year. I was a runner. :p

And afterwards we all went out for breakfast. It was great. Actually, now that I think about it, my ex broke up with me the day before Black Friday last year, so there was no way in hell I was staying home all alone and depressed.

[Scheherazade]

What is Black Friday?

[Weisinheimer]

Hmmm since Thanksgiving is a US thing, I guess Black Friday is too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)
It's the day after Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year. Most stores have special sales for that day only.

I've never been, and I don't plan on it. I hate crowds and I'm not that fond of shopping in general...so black friday seems like it'd be a nightmare.

[Virgil]

What is Black Friday?

I think Weisy described it, but here are some youtube clips of the event.

People actually go shopping pre-dawn.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqINKMuKjTQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJq-qbrE_XY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNmZAiBB78k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZJVZ2p223o&feature=related

Certainly extreme examples, but you get the picture.

[DanielBenoit]

I think Weisy described it, but here are some youtube clips of the event.

People actually go shopping pre-dawn.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqINKMuKjTQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJq-qbrE_XY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNmZAiBB78k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZJVZ2p223o&feature=related

Certainly extreme examples, but you get the picture.

Absolutley ridiculous. So funny and yet so sad. The people trampling over that one women proves that most Americans value their materialistic addictions over human life.

[soundofmusic]

Never, It's like throwing yourself in front of a train;) I like Christmas shopping by computer; I keep my holiday spirit that way. If I want really low prices; I shop Overstock or Ebay.

[Homers_child]

The people trampling over that one women proves that most Americans value their materialistic addictions over human life.

Most Americans? I would say it has to do more with the group mentality and excitement/rush than the fact that we are Americans. No one in their right mind would do that.

[DanielBenoit]

Most Americans? I would say it has to do more with the group mentality and excitement/rush than the fact that we are Americans. No one in their right mind would do that.

Yeah, it just seems that we Americans of all the nations in the world, are the most obsessed with our television shows, our Blu-Ray digital systems, our coffee makers, blah blah blah.

[Hurricane]

I'm not planning on shopping on Friday, but I'll probably forget, drive to the mall, and be wicked confused as to why there's thousands of people there.

[Haunted]

I would probably forget it's Black Friday and go out too. I think I'm going to put a sign on the door as a reminder, or even tape it closed...

[Scheherazade]

Is the sale only for one day? Why does it have to be on that day?

I have couple of friends who wake up at dawn to catch Next's or Debenham's sales but I don't see the logic. They say there won't be any good things left if they don't go early enough but so what? Our wardrobes would be one particular outfit short?

Don't get it.

[Hurricane]

Is the sale only for one day? Why does it have to be on that day?

Sometimes the sales are only for that day. I'm not sure why that day became the designated shopping day other than it's convenient--a lot of people get the day after Thanksgiving off from work/school to make a long weekend, so more people are available to shop.

[Haunted]

I have couple of friends who wake up at dawn to catch Next's or Debenham's sales but I don't see the logic. They say there won't be any good things left if they don't go early enough but so what? Our wardrobes would be one particular outfit short?

Don't get it.

Some retailers do have unbelievable markdowns, but with one caveat: "while supply lasts." So if there're only 50 large plasma tvs for that price, you want to be among the first 50 people on line, even if it means camping outside the store the night before. Most people are in for big ticket items and to them the money they save is worth the hassle.

[papayahed]

Is the sale only for one day? Why does it have to be on that day?

I have couple of friends who wake up at dawn to catch Next's or Debenham's sales but I don't see the logic. They say there won't be any good things left if they don't go early enough but so what? Our wardrobes would be one particular outfit short?

Don't get it.

Traditionally most people have the day after Thanksgiving off so it's always been the unofficial start of the christmas season and people tend to start shopping. I've heard it's called black friday because that is the time when most shops/stores break even, I don't know if that's true.

Anyways, I think the whole black friday craze, lining up to stores at 4 am is relatively knew thing - I don't remember people doing that until the last few years.

[Niamh]

you are all mad! I'm with Scher... I just dont understand it.

[Virgil]

Is the sale only for one day? Why does it have to be on that day?

I have couple of friends who wake up at dawn to catch Next's or Debenham's sales but I don't see the logic. They say there won't be any good things left if they don't go early enough but so what? Our wardrobes would be one particular outfit short?

Don't get it.

I think that the sales go on for the most part, but given the volume of customers the quantities run out. So people are in a rush to get an item before it runs out. To be honest I have no idea how this evolved. I don't recall this when i was growing up.


Traditionally most people have the day after Thanksgiving off so it's always been the unofficial start of the christmas season and people tend to start shopping. I've heard it's called black friday because that is the time when most shops/stores break even, I don't know if that's true.

Anyways, I think the whole black friday craze, lining up to stores at 4 am is relatively knew thing - I don't remember people doing that until the last few years.

Yes I bleieve that's true. The stores get in the "black" for the first time of the year. Supposedly.

[skib]

To answer Kevvy, yeah. I think I'll go out and intentionally start human stampedes.

[kevinthediltz]

I actually didn't start this thread, the guy that did disappeared and now my name is under it... hmmmm....

My plans for thanksgiving weekend... Work, ski, work, ski, work, ski, work, ski and so on....

However I do like Skib's idea, basically start a mother mosh pit, I won't go home untill I see someone use a baby as a weapon to ward off other mothers from the only "Tickle Me Elmo" left.

[Janine]

Personally I hate the whole thing. I don't recall it when I was a kid or even when I was in my 20's, 30's.

One year, when I had some energy, I went out that evening and I did get some bargains; but not truly sure I would not have gotten them anyway on another day closer to Christmas. I went late; so I avoided the crowds. This year I have no desire to go out to shop on Black Friday. I hope to stay put at home and relax instead. I did read there are some sales online that day; so those like me; who would rather not venture out in traffic and crowds, may be able to take advantage of some online deals. I am a coupon shopper anyway. I usually wait until a store sends me a terrific coupon such as Penny's will send me a 10 dollar one if you buy something for at least 10 bucks. I have charges at a few stores that do the same thing. They obviously hope to reel the fish back into the store so you buy more. Sometimes, I can keep my will power under control, walk in the store, go right to something I know will cost 10 dollars or maybe twice that and therefore, get a bargain without buying anything extra. I did that yesterday. I bought a cute costume jewelry bracelet and only paid 2.50 for it when it started out being $18.

I agree with Haunted. People who camp out do it because they want big ticket items and hope to be the first fifty to enter the store; so I guess it's worth the hassle for them. I am not in the category of being able to buy big ticket items so camping out over night sounds totally ludicrious to me.

[*Classic*Charm*]

However I do like Skib's idea, basically start a mother mosh pit, I won't go home untill I see someone use a baby as a weapon to ward off other mothers from the only "Tickle Me Elmo" left.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA oh goodness. The two of you are dangerous.

I don't partake in the shopping, though I have family that drive down to the US every year for it. I'm told that you age a few years waiting at the border crossing.

[OrphanPip]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA oh goodness. The two of you are dangerous.

I don't partake in the shopping, though I have family that drive down to the US every year for it. I'm told that you age a few years waiting at the border crossing.

Well with the dollar at near par right now it's a good time to do it, that US economy won't stay down forever.

[qimissung]

I'm with Janine. If I had some money, then I'd go, but it wouldn't necessarily be on Friday. I've never gone on that day, and don't plan to. What a horrid day to shop.

[Dori]

There's something invigorating about waiting outside at 5:30am, only to be 10th in line at best at the doors. Also, when there's waiting at 5:30am, there are bound to be donuts!!!!

And a large breakfast after the slaughter--I mean, shopping.

It's almost like survival of the fittest, or at least I like to think so. :D

[Niamh]

Are you guys sure the term black isnt to do with the mass of crowds? Its a term we use here if a place was busy. "Town was black with people".

[Haunted]

Are you guys sure the term black isnt to do with the mass of crowds? Its a term we use here if a place was busy. "Town was black with people".

The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day. More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers go from being in the red (i.e., posting a loss on the books) to being in the black (i.e., turning a profit). Source: Wikipedia

I heard from news sources that 30% of annual sales occurs on the Friday after Thanksgiving which put them "in the black", thus "Black" Friday. It's usually make or break for retailers. If they didn't make the sales expectations, they won't be able to make it up later. A number of stores went out of business last year because of this. Sales fell short because of the recession and they were still "in the red" after Black Friday, sustaining a loss in profit which they couldn't recover.

[Patrick_Bateman]

Do these people not know that we have computers now

[Janine]

Actually, I see where there are lot of Black Friday bargains one can take advantage of online this year. I think that's a very good idea. I wonder if there will be an overload on servers on Friday...hummm..that could be problematic. I might check out the online sales myself. I did check a few today but so far nothing much I would care to buy, but you never know.

[papayahed]

Do these people not know that we have computers now

Not the same.

[Leannain]

Not the same.


Yeah. The multitudes of people going around, the high chance of getting 'accidentally' mugged, the endless lines - people will wait hours for a coveted item, the heat inside malls and shops, the air conditioner(that will create a damp on your health when you leave the shopping facility), the possibility of catching something nasty - with all those folks going around.

The difficulty to get somewhere because too many people are in a small area, the fact that you, sometimes, can't find what you are looking for: the shop's stock is drained. Come back another time.

The prices. People think the items get their prices lowered but I've found objects much cheaper on different occasions(not holiday related), rare and strange deals for almost no euros.

I hate shops. I hate malls. I most rarely ever set a foot inside a mall. I find them to be terribly full of teenagers(who have nothing better to do with their time) or wives and girlfriends trying to get their partner to buy something for them.

Not that I have something against those two groups... But, they are annoying to me.

Basically, I don't shop on a black Friday.

I don't shop during the holidays, period. Physical possessions aren't that high on my family and friends wishlist and I appreciate the space my money occupies in my wallet :).

on the other hand, when I am to shop for something, I mostly do it online. 90% of what I buy equal books. There are some pretty sweet online bookstores; selling their wares with a good discount, or a good, baseline price, while not asking for shipping fees and sending the goodies to my home, without me having to get out of the house.


;)

[Paulclem]

I wonder how long before we get Black Friday here in jolly old England? Do you get the day off for shopping?

The government were looking for another bank holiday to stick in the year. It could be just the thing to boost the economy. It'll be competing with Trafalgar day, which might seem a tad triumphalist and outmoded given our closer ties with Europe now.

I'm all for it anyway. Might even jump in the melee.

[Virgil]

I wonder how long before we get Black Friday here in jolly old England? Do you get the day off for shopping?

The government were looking for another bank holiday to stick in the year. It could be just the thing to boost the economy. It'll be competing with Trafalgar day, which might seem a tad triumphalist and outmoded given our closer ties with Europe now.

I'm all for it anyway. Might even jump in the melee.

Well, it's linked to our national holiday of Thanksgiving, the last Thursday of November. If it will catch on in England it would have to be linked to something I would presume. Or one could just label the last friday of November as Black Friday. I do think it's linked to the economy, though exactly how may be nebulous. Some companies give the Friday off, since everyone is off on thursday. Others, like me, just take a vacation day on that friday. But I don't take off to go shopping. ;)

[Paulclem]

Well, it's linked to our national holiday of Thanksgiving, the last Thursday of November. If it will catch on in England it would have to be linked to something I would presume. Or one could just label the last friday of November as Black Friday. I do think it's linked to the economy, though exactly how may be nebulous. Some companies give the Friday off, since everyone is off on thursday. Others, like me, just take a vacation day on that friday. But I don't take off to go shopping. ;)

Thanks Virgil. My ignorence is limitless.

[papayahed]

Others, like me, just take a vacation day on that friday.

You don't get Friday off???

[Janine]

Virgil, wow, that is amazing. I thought everyone had to get Friday off.


Thanks Virgil. My ignorence is limitless.

Paulclem, perhaps, as they say "ignorance is bliss"....:lol:

[Virgil]

You don't get Friday off???


Virgil, wow, that is amazing. I thought everyone had to get Friday off.

No. I get ten holidays. The Friday is not one of them. Black Friday is not a holiday. :lol:

[Helga]

never heard of this day before, but man I was annoyed yesterday when shops started advertising turkey for thanksgiving!! for a moment there I thought I was in the U.S...

[Niamh]

We, and by we i me Dubliners, would avoid Dublin city on the 8th of december as it is the traditional day for boggers and culchies alike to come and do their christmas shopping in "the big smoke".

[JuniperWoolf]

:lol: At the risk of sounding like JBI, America is a silly country. A whole holiday dedicated to SHOPPING?!? That's ridiculous.

[Paulclem]

:lol: At the risk of sounding like JBI, America is a silly country. A whole holiday dedicated to SHOPPING?!? That's ridiculous.

Isn't that what xmas has become?

I'm not really that cynical - I do like Christmas.

[Haunted]

:lol: At the risk of sounding like JBI, America is a silly country. A whole holiday dedicated to SHOPPING?!? That's ridiculous.

Ever heard of shopaholics?

Can't think of a better cure than Black Friday. :p

[papayahed]

:lol: At the risk of sounding like JBI, America is a silly country. A whole holiday dedicated to SHOPPING?!? That's ridiculous.

The holiday technically isn't about shopping. The holiday is for Thanksgiving, to celebrate when the pilgrims took the land from the Indians. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday and most people, except Virgil, get thursday and friday off for the holiday. Sooooo: day off + Christmas approaching = shopping on friday.

[Shalot]

I'm not going. My sister-in-law was talking about the $200 laptop you could buy at Wal-Mart last year...they had like 5 for sale...so all these people go and wait in line so that they might get these super deals. But the deals aren't all that. You just camped out so that you could not get the $200 laptop or whatever it was, and they only had 5 so you didn't get one. I guess some people like the thrill maybe? Me personally, I could have gotten into that at one time, but anymore, I just don't care. I might not even put a tree up this year so there's no way I'm going to stand in line to go shopping. I hate shopping in crowded places. Shopping is one of those "survival of the fittest" activities. I love it when I'm trying to look at something at the store and some woman comes up and gets way too close to me in an effort to will me away from what she wants to look at it. I used to get upset and take it out on someone else, then I decided to see how big of an arsehole I could be and i would just stand there or place my back to her and obstruct her view of what I was looking at. Now, I just don't really shop that much. It might be because I've become more spiritual and I don't need material junk to make me feel whole :D

[Haunted]

With Black Friday now a long faded memory, is anyone looking forward to Cyber Monday? :eek2:

[Shalot]

With Black Friday now a long faded memory, is anyone looking forward to Cyber Monday? :eek2:

I was wondering if anyone was going to bring up cyber monday.
I probably won't do any cyber shopping either. I'm having a bah humbug kind of November this year.

[papayahed]

I'm quit pleased with my black friday purchases, I stocked up on work clothes - How can I go wrong with tops for $8 and my jeans for $15??

[Janine]

I'm quit pleased with my black friday purchases, I stocked up on work clothes - How can I go wrong with tops for $8 and my jeans for $15??

Papayahed, Glad you braved the crowds and made out well.
Last week, before the Friday sale, I bought 38 dollar jeans at Penny's for only $15. I was wondering if the sales will continue and only get better towards the holiday. I was looking on Amazon at the Black Friday sales and then checking each day for the price changes and so far they are holding to the BF sale price. I wonder if they will keep that price until Christmas is over....hummm

[Virgil]

I was trying to find this thread the other day and ask if anyone went shopping black friday. I didn't.

I too was wondering about cyber Monday. I'm so tempted to get myself a Kindle. :D I'll have to go check out the prices.

[Haunted]

there's a website: cybermonday.com (http://www.cybermonday.com/)

A few more hours left... Hope they use Pacific time :D

[kilted exile]

We had our 3 day sale starting on "black friday" not called that here though. was insane - the only thing worse than shopping crowds is trying to help the huge rushes of people find what they want......