"Black" Friday

[Karen]

Everywhere I look there are ads for "Black Friday" and it seems everyone is making a fuss about it. Even non-traditional retailers seem in on it!

Do you do a lot of shopping on Black Friday and hit the sales? I never have but know some people get up in the wee hours to do so!

Or do you have to work that day and not even have the option?

Just curious, and it seemed to complicated for a usual poll ...

[pomtzu]

I NEVER go shopping on Black Friday - not worth the hassle to me. My son and DIL used to be avid BF shoppers, but it seems the past couple of years, he has gotten all the super deals that are offered in the stores, on line in the sneak preview and pre-BF sales. So much easier that way, and they both have to work that day anyway.

[Freedom]

In the past - setting up my first apartment, after we bought this house - I will make a list and head out. I am not an early bird, never have been, and that does NOT change on BF, lol. Some of the 'deals' would be sold out by the time I arrived. That's ok.

Past few years it is mostly a non event for me. I may browse a flyer or 2, but that's it. The Target ads this year -- with that ditsy lady going nuts over their prices - seem to be running continually and I am so sick of them!

One of the restaurants we frequent is offering gift certificates, $50 for $25 on BF only, so I will try to wander over there - it is close by.

I do get a kick out of going and sitting in a local mall parking lot and looking at all the crazies! LOL

[chocolatepuppy]

I never went out on Black Friday until a few years ago. I only went to a few places and never bright and early. Not sure if I'll go out this year.

[robinh]

The last time we did a Black Friday, I was standing in a store looking at an item - had it in my hand - and a woman came up, took it right out of my hand and took off. I was so shocked. She said "You didn't want it anyway" and walked away. My only reaction was to say "Merry Christmas" in a snarky way. Never again. I shop on line - it's easier.

People seem to have forgotten the reason for the season. So sad.

[phesina]

Another reason I love CBC:

On a news break today they reported on a study done on people looking forward to holiday shopping. I forget the overall findings, but what stood out was "8 percent said they would rather have a root canal than go to the mall on Black Friday!"

[moosmom]

When it comes to Christmas shopping, I am a procastinator!! I wait till the last minute.

[catnapper]

I work that day. I can not remember the last Black Friday I had off since I've worked retail since high school.

I don't mind working black friday - I even think its fun and exciting running around hte store.

[aTailOf2Kitties]

i did the whole BF thing once, a few years ago. That's when I realized it wasn't worth standing outside of the mall freezing my butt off at 3AMjust to save a few bucks. :rolleyes:

[anna_66]

I always work all day. But I wouldn't get up and go out at 4 am for it even if I didn't:p

[krazyaboutkatz]

I've never done it and I never will. I hate to shop for most things on a normal day any way. The only BF I would ever do is to shop online. I think some are starting theirs on Thursday.

[Alysser]

I went last year to a mall in Delaware (no sales tax) to buy a Macbook. It came with a free printer and was $70 cheaper. Me and my brother were headin' to DC for the day anyway so we were driving through. I haven't shopped full on for BF in a number of years though, but if I do find a good sale on an Iphone 4S at a local store you best believe I'll be checkin' it out.:D

[caseysmom]

They already have people camping out here...its ridiculous....ticks me off the workers have to work basically thanksgiving night.

My daughters friend goes to work at midnight, if were up we may go just to see her...my other daughter that just had twins wants to go out, not sure if she wants me to go or not....

[kitten645]

I work in retail and Black Friday is a disgrace. Most of us have to work and it gets more ridiculous every year. This year Best Buys is making employees come in at 10PM Thanksgiving night to set up! That is just wrong and I hope there is a special pox on those that support this foolishness by waiting on line go get in first. Our priorities have gone to hell in a handbasket. Shop local and support your neighbors. There should be a balance between big box prices and local decent living.Grrrr.

[RobiLee]

I am not a BF shopper. I think I did it once when my son was young to try and get a couple items that were on his christmas list.

This year I am working. Yes, even the bank that I work at is getting involved with Black Friday!! We are setting up a table OUTSIDE a store so that we can promote our bank and try to get some new customers. We are serving hot chocolate and will have some silly little bank give aways. A few lucky people that find our wallets hidden in the store will receive $15 gift cards. I volunteered to do it so that I can get off early that day. I have to be there at 4:30am. I live a half hour away so for me that means I have to be up at
3am!!!! Whew, that's early!!!! LOL

[smokey the elder]

I am inclined to avoid the stores which are opening on Thanksgiving this year. I don't do Black Friday; haven't since college when that was basically my only opportunity to do Christmas shopping. It didn't seem as bad *ahem* years ago.

If you can (and I hope to try) shop Small Business Saturday on the 26th; help out local businesses rather than big chains. There are heaps of shops in downtown Peekskill, and free parking to boot!

[rosethecopycat]

A radio commercial by Winn Dixie (grocery) poses that if you have fussy, demanding in-laws coming over, that you should buy your entire fool proof Thanksgiving day meal from Winn Dixie, to impress them. The best part, they say, is that you don't have to 'lift a finger'!

Isn't that what it's all about anyway? Not showing any effort for anything.

It's about standing in lines to spend money, and theoretically save a few bucks, and be the first one to have the next latest thing on the market.


Thanksgiving is officially canceled.
It will now be known as BLACK THURSDAY and it will last 2 days.

[IRescue452]

I have to work Friday morning after thanksgiving, even though my workplace is closed all day and there's no reason we couldn't come in later except majority vote of people who want to get done early. I have to strip a gym floor and wax it.

I don't do black Friday. I don't spend big money on electronics unless I research them and where to buy them so I don't get stuck with a lemon. You can find better deals when its not holiday or tax return season, when stores are more desperate to make a sale.

[redbird]

I haven't shopped on Black Friday in many years. I can't deal with the crowds because I have back and leg problems. I haven't shopped much at all in malls or anywhere else. I have now just stayed home and shopped with QVC or HSN, it's a lot easier and safer for me.

[redbird]

In the past - setting up my first apartment, after we bought this house - I will make a list and head out. I am not an early bird, never have been, and that does NOT change on BF, lol. Some of the 'deals' would be sold out by the time I arrived. That's ok.

Past few years it is mostly a non event for me. I may browse a flyer or 2, but that's it. The Target ads this year -- with that ditsy lady going nuts over their prices - seem to be running continually and I am so sick of them!

One of the restaurants we frequent is offering gift certificates, $50 for $25 on BF only, so I will try to wander over there - it is close by.

I do get a kick out of going and sitting in a local mall parking lot and looking at all the crazies! LOL

What a coincidence, my sister and I were just talking about those Target commercials, we can't stand her either. My sister just mutes her TV when she is on. She makes you not want to go to Target, that commercial backfires, lol.

[jennielynn1970]

Do you do a lot of shopping on Black Friday and hit the sales? I never have but know some people get up in the wee hours to do so!

Or do you have to work that day and not even have the option?

Just curious, and it seemed to complicated for a usual poll ...

I REFUSE TO SHOP ON BLACK FRIDAY. I don't even leave my house if I don't have to!!!

I don't have to work on that day, thank god for being a school teacher!!!

[sasvermont]

Tomorrow, at noon, I have an appointment in downtown Burlington, to have my hair cut. I didn't even think about Black Friday when I agreed to the appointment. I hope I can find a parking place/spot. I don't plan on shopping anywhere - just the hair cut and leave. I hope the wild shoppers are all tired out by 11:30/noon so that I can get to and from without popping a gasket!

Ugh.

I don't like all the gift giving for Christmas, anyway, and this frantic behavior from some of the shoppers just gives me more reason to feel this way. Oh well. To each his own.

:rolleyes:

[Roxyluvsme13]

I HATE Black Friday. There are good deals, but it's not worth all the danger, crazy people, and the hassle of driving in the horrendous traffic.

A lot of people don't get to enjoy their Thanksgiving now because the deals started on Thursday, and I don't think that's right at all.

There have been people camping out at the Best Buy here since TUESDAY to get some of their deals. I think they are freaking INSANE.

[sana]

My cousins in America are going to the Black Friday place, as I have heard and we've told them to get some stuff for us. I think we're getting a laptop and a kindle. Not sure.

[pomtzu]

My cousins in America are going to the Black Friday place, as I have heard and we've told them to get some stuff for us. I think we're getting a laptop and a kindle. Not sure.

LOL :D
Sana - Black Friday isn't a place - it's a term given to the first "official" shopping day of the Christmas/holiday season - and is always the day after Thanksgiving - today - Friday.

The term "black" comes from the concept that the stores will operate in the "black" - meaning that they will actually make money. When they operate in the "red", that means they aren't seeing any profits and claim that they aren't making money thru out the year. So stores have super sales on everything, with the hopes that it will bring lots and lots of people to their stores, and that they will be "in the black" - making lots of money on the products that they sell.

And with these super sales, people tend to go kind of crazy and wait in lines for hours to get in the store and get all kinds of products at super low prices. It's really crazy, but if you like the mob scene and don't mind driving around forever to find a parking place for your car in the mall, then I guess it's not bad. Not my idea of fun tho. Electronics and toys are a BIG attraction that draws people out on this crazy shopping day. :p

[caseysmom]

I always thought the term black friday came from the shopping madness...I think nobody is really sure of the origin of that term.

[pomtzu]

I always thought the term black friday came from the shopping madness...I think nobody is really sure of the origin of that term.

It's actually both. It originally started out meaning the massive traffic and mobs associated with it, but then became a profit or loss issue in later years. And wouldn't you know - it all boils down to the almighty dollar. :rolleyes:

[rosethecopycat]

LOL :D
Sana - Black Friday isn't a place - it's a term given to the first "official" shopping day of the Christmas/holiday season - and is always the day after Thanksgiving - today - Friday.

The term "black" comes from the concept that the stores will operate in the "black" - meaning that they will actually make money. When they operate in the "red", that means they aren't seeing any profits and claim that they aren't making money thru out the year. So stores have super sales on everything, with the hopes that it will bring lots and lots of people to their stores, and that they will be "in the black" - making lots of money on the products that they sell.

And with these super sales, people tend to go kind of crazy and wait in lines for hours to get in the store and get all kinds of products at super low prices. It's really crazy, but if you like the mob scene and don't mind driving around forever to find a parking place for your car in the mall, then I guess it's not bad. Not my idea of fun tho. Electronics and toys are a BIG attraction that draws people out on this crazy shopping day. :p

Can you imagine children, say 100 years from now, asking about the origins of Black Friday?

Well kids, it all started when the drive to purchase merchandise and small gadgetry peaked in the early 21st century. It's origins are from the celebrations right after the former Thanksgiving Holiday, when people thought we still don't have enough to be thankful for. Small groups of folks camped out in front of stores, to have a chance at the 'latest, greatest' products when hysteria slowly set in. Eventually the stores never closed. Thanksgiving became another work day and lost popularity. The merchandizers knew, when to hold out items and always dangled new products before the peasantry. That's how we got our Pod commercials for the Springtime promotional drive, that everyone loves so much, and how we got products like the NEW Im1PmegKind-L42-aPodversion2127G(slim).
Eventually everyone succumbed to the mind numbing lure of the Black Friday Holiday and that's how we got Tent Villages, the ALF (Anti-Looting Force) and the CRF (Civil Redirection Force for crowd control) And that's how we came to celebrate our beloved Black Friday, the second week of June.

[Karen]

The term "black" Friday doesn't have to do do with the crowds or the traffic. It is the beginning of the retail "Christmas" season, where stores make the most profit, so it put them "in the black" (making money) instead of "in the red" - losing money.

[pomtzu]

The term "black" Friday doesn't have to do do with the crowds or the traffic. It is the beginning of the retail "Christmas" season, where stores make the most profit, so it put them "in the black" (making money) instead of "in the red" - losing money.

It is both, Karen, and originally it was in reference to the heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic on that day - the start of the holiday shopping season. It originated in Philadelphia in the 60's and spread, and eventually took on it's other meaning of the profit/loss scenario.

[cassiesmom]

Last year I had to work. When I came home from my mom and dad's last night there was already a line of people waiting to get into Target. The only place I went today was the supermarket, for just a few things.

[Karen]

It is both, Karen, and originally it was in reference to the heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic on that day - the start of the holiday shopping season. It originated in Philadelphia in the 60's and spread, and eventually took on it's other meaning of the profit/loss scenario.

I heard a story today on NPR - Black Friday was a term in the 1950s - when factory managers called it "black friday" because so many people called in "sick" that day, they compared it to the "black death" - a.k.a. the bubonic plague. Then in the 1960s, it was adopted by the Philadelphia police as you mentioned, the 1970s it became the financial meaning I mentioned, and in the 1980s it transformed into the shopping event it is now, and was adopted by retailers as a positive connotation and name for sales.

So we were both wrong as to how it originated, and both right in a way, we just didn't know about the first usage!

[Marigold2]

Oh I love love love Black Friday. I got up at 3:00 am got to the dollar store at 4:00, stood in line for two hours.
Got great deals, they marked these items down to .99 pencils, chalk, sponges, paperclips.
My Christmas shopping is almost done.
99 cents, whoa baby......

[snakemama]

I love Black Friday shopping! One of my favorite things to do is go to the "Midnight madness" sale at the outlet malls nearby. Alas, I had to work today so I skipped it. The local humane society has a holiday craft fair every year around thsi time, so I'll just hang onto my shopping money until then!

[sana]

LOL :D
Sana - Black Friday isn't a place - it's a term given to the first "official" shopping day of the Christmas/holiday season - and is always the day after Thanksgiving - today - Friday.

The term "black" comes from the concept that the stores will operate in the "black" - meaning that they will actually make money. When they operate in the "red", that means they aren't seeing any profits and claim that they aren't making money thru out the year. So stores have super sales on everything, with the hopes that it will bring lots and lots of people to their stores, and that they will be "in the black" - making lots of money on the products that they sell.

And with these super sales, people tend to go kind of crazy and wait in lines for hours to get in the store and get all kinds of products at super low prices. It's really crazy, but if you like the mob scene and don't mind driving around forever to find a parking place for your car in the mall, then I guess it's not bad. Not my idea of fun tho. Electronics and toys are a BIG attraction that draws people out on this crazy shopping day. :p

Haha! Thank You for letting me know :) I was confused earlier when i was posting about where the Black Friday actually takes place :D and so, I just said "Black Friday place" :o

[pomtzu]

I heard a story today on NPR - Black Friday was a term in the 1950s - when factory managers called it "black friday" because so many people called in "sick" that day, they compared it to the "black death" - a.k.a. the bubonic plague.

I never heard of that one and it looks like Wikipedia hasn't either. Maybe you should send it to them so they can update. :)

Out of curiosity, I did a search to see how many others showed up, and I only found reference to this "plague" in one article. It seems that someone in the very early 50's, published an article in Factory Management and Maintenance magazine on the subject of worker absenteeism, and the day after Thanksgiving was mentioned. The subject appeared to die off until the Philadelphia use of it kicked in, in the 60's.

So who knows??? All I know is that it's a day for me to stay home and do any shopping I might want to do, on line.

There were other meanings applied to BF also, one being that after the Civil War, that blacks were allowed to shop in retail establishments on Friday only, but of course that would have absolutely nothing to do with the current holiday shopping meaning. I'm certain that there's plenty more out there that nobody ever heard of too.

[Grace]

Black Friday, indeed. Makes us look like a bunch of barbarians to the rest of the world.


Black Friday (http://news.yahoo.com/battle-black-friday-deals-includes-pepper-spray-shootings-165358707.html)

[lizbud]

Oh I love love love Black Friday. I got up at 3:00 am got to the dollar store at 4:00, stood in line for two hours.
Got great deals, they marked these items down to .99 pencils, chalk, sponges, paperclips.
My Christmas shopping is almost done.
99 cents, whoa baby......


Marked down Dollar store stuff to .99 cents, WOW, what a bargain.:D

[phesina]

Black Friday, indeed. Makes us look like a bunch of barbarians to the rest of the world.


Black Friday (http://news.yahoo.com/battle-black-friday-deals-includes-pepper-spray-shootings-165358707.html)

Yes indeed, the season of peace, love, and good cheer is here!

[chocolatepuppy]

Whew, no way, just look at all those people!:rolleyes: I stayed home except for a walk!:) I found this on FB.;)
http://petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=360&pictureid=4920

[sparks19]

I did not go out. Not my thing. Afriends hubby went to walmart and waited for hours gor an xbox with kinect for $199. I stayed home and got an xbox with kinect for $199 plus a $50 credit (xbox 360 with kinect is normally $300+). No crowds no lines no getting up early or staying up all night. Pj's, coffee and the computer were all i needed lol

[sana]

I did not go out. Not my thing. Afriends hubby went to walmart and waited for hours gor an xbox with kinect for $199. I stayed home and got an xbox with kinect for $199 plus a $50 credit (xbox 360 with kinect is normally $300+). No crowds no lines no getting up early or staying up all night. Pj's, coffee and the computer were all i needed lol

omg! That is awesome :D :D

[Asiel]

All I can say is that we don't have it out here and I hope we never get it . this year some of the stores were hinting at picking up the tradition but I pray it's only gossip.
No way would I ever get caught up shopping in that kind of frenzy - shopping is bad enough on normal days.

[RICHARD]

Black Friday-Steely Dan.

When Black Friday comes
I'll stand down by the door
And catch the grey men when they
Dive from the fourteenth floor
When Black Friday comes
I'll collect everything I'm owed
And before my friends find out
I'll be on the road
When Black Friday falls you know it's got to be
Don't let it fall on me
When Black Friday comes
I'll fly down to Muswellbrook
Gonna strike all the big red words
From my little black book
Gonna do just what I please
Gonna wear no socks and shoes
With nothing to do but feed
All the kangaroos
When Black Friday comes I'll be on that hill
You know I will

When Black Friday comes
I'm gonna dig myself a hole
Gonna lay down in it 'til
I satisfy my soul
Gonna let the world pass by me
The Archbishop's gonna sanctify me
And if he don't come across
I'm gonna let it roll
When Black Friday comes
I'm gonna stake my claim
I'll guess I'll change my name

---------------------

Growing up I used to HATE the holidays.

Ma worked for the huge toy store with the "R" in the name and they made her work some ungodly hours. She would get out of work at i-2 in the morning and she would come home so tired and broken that we could not enjoy the time with her........

That was back on the 70's, too bad it's come to getting pepper sprayed at Walmart by some wacko during the holidays.

[Alysser]

I actually wound up at the local mall last night with a few friends. It was still packed and the mall was open till 11 PM. I quickly remembered WHY I normally don't go out on black friday. Two women got into a screaming match in sears over something in the electronics department. They were yelling profanities at each other. Me and my friends left soon after that! We had no clue what it was about, it was unbelievable! Almost like something out of a movie:eek: To think it was after the Black Friday rush as well :eek:

[AdoreMyDogs]

I actually did the Black Friday thing for the very first time ever this year. It was at Walmart, and it actually started Thanksgiving night at 10PM, so I got there at about 7:15 to start waiting in line. They only had 41 of those trampolines in stock, and I was only 8th in line, so it was perfect. As it got closer to 10:00, the line behind me was over 150 people long, and I'm sure the people who got there later became more angry and violent, but the folks both in front of me and behind me were friendly and happy. It was tremendous fun actually. I went with a good friend of mine, and we worked as a buddy system. I bought a trampoline that's normally almost $500 and it was on sale Black Friday only for $158. That's the kids' big gift from Santa. Had it not been for that BF sale, there was NO WAY I could have afforded that gift. Thanks to that amazing BF sale, my kids will have a great gift from Santa that they will love for years.

Then I hit the clothes after I paid for and loaded the trampoline in my car, and I got 8 really nice long sleeve t's for the kids at only $2.96 each, a pair of slippers for my boy at just over $2, and blue jeans that were under $5, a Cars bedding set that was normally $50, I got it for $24. I scored everything I was after. The only down side was that I was absolutely miserable the next morning. I got home about 2am, it took a while to fall asleep, and had to get up with the kids at 7am. I would have hit up Target if I had someone to help me with my kids, but I didn't, so I skipped going there.

Lots of fun, lots of savings. I would not have gone without a friend though. You need that buddy system for both company and team work.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Oh, and the reason I had such a good time, is because I really had the "good line", of all the lines in the store. They break up the different sections and have different areas and lines for all of them. The line I was in was full of very happy, fun, interesting, helpful folks. One lady asked me to save her spot while she used the restroom and I did. She trusted me enough, which was nice (and I guess pretty rare on Black Friday...I'm told it brings out the primal beast in people). I bought a newspaper and let the folks around me have the section of their choice.

Aparently the laptop line was crazy, and a fist-fight broke out, and there were LOTS of people kicked out of the store for trying to swipe and hide items before the sale hit. I didn't see anything bad happen, it never happened near where I was. There were armed officers everywhere. Someone accidentally bumped their buggy into my ankle and it really hurt, I said "OUCH", and she came over and hugged me and told me she was so sorry. I guess I just had really good luck and I created only good things from my shopping experience.

[pomtzu]

Oh I love love love Black Friday. I got up at 3:00 am got to the dollar store at 4:00, stood in line for two hours.
Got great deals, they marked these items down to .99 pencils, chalk, sponges, paperclips.
My Christmas shopping is almost done.
99 cents, whoa baby......

I seriously hope that this is a joke.........:eek: