Black Friday
 

Ok, so last year was my first attempt at shopping on Black Friday, and it was a horrible experience. I was in line for a zhu zhu pet at 7pm t Toys r Us, and the first 100 in line were guarunteed one if they wanted it. I was one of those first 100 when I got there, but by the time the store opened at midnight, I was like #500. There were fights in the parking lot, the cops showed up, a 500 lb man was tased - it was a good time! I went into the store just to see what else was on sale, because I knew I wasn't getting a damn zhu zhu for my daughter that night. I found a few items, and the line to check out wound all the way through the store. As I stood there, I realized that if the store caught on fire, we'd all die because they were way over building capacity. Had a nice little mini-panic attack and got the hell out of there fast.

This year, I think I'm going to attempt Target, which opens at 4am. We'll see, I might have to be drunk first.

Any Black Friday stories? Good deals? Strategies or gameplans?

Strategy: Use the internet only.

I wouldn't be able to stand the shopping thing.

internet only. would never think of going to a brick and mortar store.

^^^Lame.

I haven't mapped out my strategy this year; I usually wait until the ads come on Thanksgiving. That being said, I am a diehard Black Friday shopper. I usually pull an all nighter, head out aroud 4 am, and go all day.

Avoid Walmart like the plague. Best Buy and Toys r Us are usually pretty bad, but if you're not looking for a doorbuster, you can get the same prices just a couple hours later with almost no crowd.

I can't wait!

lame? that's what you'll be when u get trampled.

Black Friday is always my favorite. Last year, I got to be the greeter at the store I worked at because the other six girls weren't nearly as cheerful at 6:30 in the morning or so.... But the important thing was that I made it out in time to go to the football game.

This year, I start work two hours earlier at 3:45, so I am pretty excited... But once again I am off in time to catch the game.

My advice for getting the best deals would be if you want the good deals at Target, Best Buy, Toys R Us and the like, try going to one that isn't known for being nearly as busy. Like, if there's two Best Buys near your house and one is fifteen minutes away, but near a big mall, and the other one is twenty minutes away, but in a less busy area, definitely go for the one twenty minutes away.

I can't really think of a horror story, per se, but my Black Friday last year was a horrible case of over scheduling. I started work at five, tailgating by 12:30, at the game by 1:30, and then drove back to have a date with my then boyfriend where we went shopping at the end of Black Friday. I'm really not sure how I did it, haha.

Oh, but when I worked at Target, it was the year the Wii came out and that was pretty terrifying. People would call the store six times in one hour to get the same information. I remember telling customers that the information hadn't changed since we last talked. I actually didn't work on Black Friday that year; I have no idea why, but I am so glad.

Yea, I only shop online for BF. Not worth the hassle of going to an actual store.

I have never been in the mix for Black Friday, but I love the capitalist hysteria surrounding it!

Unfortunately, I don't have the money this year to do the spending I would like, but I do enjoy reading up on all the deals, especially on things like external hard drives.

Here's something creepy that makes me want to stay far, far from any shopping venue on Black Friday.

The OSHA.gov website has a bunch of documentation for keeping retailers safe during major shopping events such as Black Friday. Things about not blocking egress, how not to get trampled, setting up lotteries to avoid rioting...

Now, I work for a company that does compliance training for things like HAZMAT, Bloodborne Pathogens, Confined Space Hazards... so I understand that bad things happen in the workplace.

But the idea of someone who makes $6/hr having to prep on the finer points of crowd control? That is MESSED UP.

And I'm not a snob - I have worked plenty of holidays in retail. I'm just saying $6 isn't hazard pay.

I LOOOOVE BLACK FRIDAY! I'm all for competitive shopping. Such a rush! I literally chart out my day. Maps, lists, schedules, ads...whole 9 yards.
I go home from my family thanksgiving (around 5-6pm), fall into a turkey coma, get up at 10 and go go go!
Last year I left my house at 10pm and started at toys r us (opened at midnight), and got home around 2pm the next day (after 6 stores).
Looking forward to this year. Already have a few stores planned thanks to www.blackfriday.info !

I worked Black Friday and Green Saturday for 17 years, so I had to go out and experience it the last 2 from the other side. That being said, I've decided it's not worth it and prefer to shop with less crowds. In fact, I picked up some great deals this summer combining coupons and ads. In addition, a lot of stores are offering Black Friday specials early this year.

Only the weak get trampled.

Except for the doorbusters, the prices don't really change between Friday and, say, the next Tuesday or a week after that. If you're not one of the people who thrives on the chaos, wait a while. And if you can stand to procrastinate, wait until a week or so before Christmas. The deals are better. I think Cyber Monday has surpassed Black Friday in sales. It's just so much easier.

And really, isn't Festivus a much better holiday to shop for? And better yet, New Year's Day. AWESOME day to go shopping. Says the girl with no Christmas list and no plans to make one. And here's a little thing that makes you go hmmmmm. The malls in Dubai are all decked out for Christmas.

I avoid the malls as much as possible from Thanksgiving until after Christmas. The thought of going shopping on Black Friday is enough to make me curl up into the fetal position.

The first year I went black friday shopping I was in Louisville, KY & went with my Aunt. I was really wanting to get my boyfriend a GPS, so I was back by where they were at like 3 AM or whatever time we got there. It was by the electronics and someone wanted like a PSP or some video gaming thing. And they switched the side of the counter it was on like 1/2 an hour before opening. Some lady was complaining and in her very DEEP southern accent was like "Ya'll know, I'm usually a nice person, but I've been here since *blah blah time* and if I don't get what I want Imma punch somebody" Well I just about died laughing because for me (a Pennsylvania girl) the accent made that 500x funnier.

Last year I went with my dad in our local area & plan to again. It was fun, kind of laid back... we ended up being a little late to Walmart so we pretty much gave up there and then just walked around the mall a few hours. My favorite part was getting donuts at this local donut shop I love and heading home talking to my mom, who internet shopped, and dad while enjoying the donuts & coffee at the kitchen table. :)

This. I used to work at a department store, and I quickly noticed that the deals are just the same as ones all the way up to Christmas. You just have to keep watching. And if you're not after a doorbuster, go shopping Black Friday evening. Everyone's conked out by then, but a lot of stores stay open extra late. I pulled the night shift one year and I was shocked that the place was practically empty by 7, 8 p.m.

One of my former coworkers posted on FB recently that they're opening at 4 a.m. this year. Yuck. I bet within the next couple of years, most stores will open at midnight. The outlets near my parents and a few other places already are.

I'm taking my daughter this year. She has never been. Kohl's is opening at 3 am and we're going there first, then to a huge outlet mall about an hour a half away.

You would have loved my mother! Her voice went to Deep South when she was flustered, and one shopping season, she was comparing two sweaters when someone tried to grab one. She drawled, "Darlin', if you want to keep that hand, you best drop that sweater NOW!"


I'm a combo shopper out of necessity - we each have to provide a list by Thanksgiving. No one ever makes the deadline. :rolleyes: So, I usually do the online shopping along with that last minute, adrenaline-filled Christmas Eve Gift Conquest.*

And if you think not doing Black Friday is lame, just you try the Christmas Eve Gift Conquest!


*If you're looking for something NOT at a major or mall store, Christmas Eve is the ONLY time to shop! They're so happy to close their stores, you can actually barter. I found that out when I stopped in at a camera store, and rather than try to figure out what I needed, they GAVE me a $500 camera! I've since heard several other similar stories - but always at the smaller stores. A friend once said, "I love this sweater and this scarf, but can't decide between them," and she was given the scarf!

Wow. The whole thing sounds absolutely crazy!

I've heard outlet malls are great on black friday, but I've never been. Ohio outlet malls leave a lot to be desired.

Here are some of the ads: http://www.blackfriday2010.com/

Come on up to Michigan :) I'm thinking about doing Great Lakes Crossing, which is up by the Palace (where the Piston's play). It's an indoor mall and is a mix of outlet stores and "real" stores.

Bump

Anyone eyeing any good sales? Already this week my fiance's parents scored a 46" tv for $498, and I got a good deal on a DVD set I've been wanting (all the "Vacation" movies!) Can't wait for the ads tomorrow!

Dammit. Why did you have to tell me that. Now I have to go lol

I saw a 32" plasma for $198. It's taking every ounce of energy within me to stay away from that. But I'm weak :o

Those appliances are total junk. I have the toaster and it doesn't even toast a full slice of bread. The top of the bread sticks out the top of the toaster (mental note to include a good toaster on our wedding registry).

Ah, my fiance is practically dying over that deal, lol. He's gone back and forth on it at least 5 times just today.

Hahah. This is why I try to stay busy on Black Friday. I don't need that TV at all, but hell, how can I pass up that deal???

Shooooooooot. I'm still gonna pick up 4-5 items lol

As my mom says, there's nothing I need badly enough to deal with the crowds. (Which is not always true, but this year it is...which is a relief...no feeling guilty for not getting the lowest price because I hate 4am). I LOVE clothes shopping, but hate crowds. Crowds can suck it. Everyone is pushy and rude.

My parents badly want to replace their ancient and horrible den tv with a huge flat screen, so I'm very much wondering if my mom is going to make one of us go try to get one...I'm really hoping they'll be satisfied with sales that don't involve 4am. She won't buy things like that at full price, so I'm nervous for my entire family.

Have them look into the online deals.

Oh I've tried that. Neither of them will buy anything expensive online. They just flat out refuse. Sigh.

^^^That's too bad. Fiance's parents got their TV deal on Amazon. Much easier than fighting the crowds for TVs on Friday, especially with some of the deals out there (although we did that last year and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting).

FOR SERIOUS?! I need a new TV and I was thinking about a 19" to replace the big booty TV I have now. $198!

I wouldn't go out on Black Friday if I were getting stuff for free. Y'all are crazy!

However, I might consider going with Kappamd. She's clearly kicking ass and taking names: