Black Friday

[IrishLake]

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?

[Drolefille]

Strategy: Use the internet only.

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

[dreamseeker]

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

[Kappamd]

^^^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!

[dreamseeker]

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

[pearlbubbles]

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.

[knight_shadow]

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

[Senusret I]

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.

[BraveMaroon]

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.

[KSUViolet06]

I love Black Friday, but I'm an online only girl.

Getting up, clicking on the TV I want, and going back to sleep = WIN.

Did the Toys R Us thing with a friend before. Saw someone get knocked out (like Mike Tyson did that guy in The Hangover) over a Wii. I was done.

[TPA85]

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 !

[RaggedyAnn]

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.

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by dreamseeker

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

Only the weak get trampled.

[DubaiSis]

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.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

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

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.