I Don’t Do Black Friday (Early Morning at Least)!
You are probably starting to see a lot of ads announcing Black Friday Specials. While I don’t mind posting them for companies I work with, I won’t be participating myself….at least not at 4:00 in the morning!
When I was growing up, my mom shopped every Black Friday. We’d get up at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning (yes I’m serious) and line up outside various stores so we were some of the first ones to get in. I remember being so tired and thankful that there was cool air outside, otherwise I would have drifted off back to sleep. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t forced to go, but wanted to go. I may have had $20 to shop with for my family and I was ready to get some of the good deals first thing in the morning…..such as movies, popcorn tins, barbies (this was a long time ago), and more!
As I have become a parent to 3 little ones, I have come to discover that I would rather pay the $1.00 or $5.00 more for most items than feel like a cow or sheep being herded into the store. There is a feeling of anxiety and as soon as the doors open (if you’re a kid), you’d better be holding on to an adult. There are just some adults that are focused on having one or two items in their hands and it doesn’t matter who they have to push over or shove to get to it!
I finalized the decision to avoid the early morning hours on Black Friday when I learned of a Wal-Mart employee who was trampled to death by a rushing mob of customers who broke down the store doors. I remember being younger, when Cabbage Patch Kids were “THE TOY!” I was with my mom at Target and I was standing by the cart. There were grown women fighting over dolls. Women pushing each other over to grab the dolls off the shelf. I even saw one woman steal a Cabbage Patch Kid out of another person’s cart.
When you go to many of the stores later in the day on Black Friday, you can see the aftermath of Black Friday Early Morning Sales. A lot of times there are clothes scattered on the floors, shelves de-faced, items in the wrong places, and employees that look like they had just run a marathon.
This is where I want to talk a little about Cyber Monday…the First Big Internet Shopping Day After Thanksgiving. Now, that’s what I’m talking about. I love the idea of being able to shop online, in the comfort of my heated home, wearing my jammies, and not having to be dolled up to make my purchase. Google Cyber Monday and sign up to be on various store lists!
I read about the employee from Walmart as well. This year Walmart is doing things differently they will not be closing the night before allowing shoppers in at any time.. they will form lines for wanted items and they will be handed out to the people as they come up in line… can’t follow teh rules you will get escorted out…
Wow-That’s INSANE-I participated in my first Black Friday last year and to be quite honest it really wasn’t bad. Event though we did get up at 4 to get out when the stores opened, we all had a good time. I don’t know if we’re going to do it again this year, but hopefully those who are will be safe!
I have done black Friday (EARLY) many years. THere was only 1 year we started at Walmart and never again. Well if they change it maybe. All these people from the parking lot that came up minutes before open came rushing in and pushed everyone down. So sad. Lucky no one seriously hurt.
I tried some Black Friday shopping two years ago and it was no fun! Out in the cold, with long lines and crazy shoppers. I think I will stick to Cyber Monday too… unless there is something I just have to have!
yeah, I’ll be in bed at 3 or 4 am as well! I am not dragging 5 little ones out into waiting and mayhem. that sounds nightmare ish to me
I have been a few times on black friday, but prefer not to go out. too many people and craziness
I don’t ever shop Black Friday, but I do hit up all of the day after Christmas sales, for good bargains on Christmas decor and gift wrap for the following year. It’s much less stressful than the day after Thanksgiving, and seems to be safer too!
I do go out, but usually to a factory outlet center about 100 miles away from my home….it is usually really crowded, but you can get really good deals…they have an Old Navy, a Gap, Osh-Kosh, Carters, and over 100 others. You are already getting great deals there and then add Black Friday deals and it is amazing. I think that I want to try to go to my Walmart this year, but I am undecided.
Plus, I’m just too exhausted now from my 10 month old to get up and deal with Black Friday. And have you looked at the ads? There’s nothing that I really want bad enough to get up that early. My mom, sister and I used to do Black Friday every year when I was younger. I’m over it. Hello Cyber Monday. Shopping in my jammies!
Only one time did I get up early for a Black Friday special, and found myself standing outside in a huge line of people enduring single digit temperatures in the pitch dark. Not fun.
I don’t plan on going out Friday, either… I have a hard enough time walking in stores on a regular day, and bringing my wheelchair on Black Friday would just be suicide. Unless I find the camera that I want at an outstanding price – NOPE, I’m stayin’ home!!
I do most of my shopping online anyway, so I can’t wait for Cyber Monday!!
agreed! Shopping online is the way to go for me, too. No way I’d stand in line at 4 AM…I worked at a Best Buy on Black Friday once…madness. Saw 2 women fight over a DVD player…
I want to do Black Friday early morning, but hubby is off work and will want to go to, and he’ll want to sleep in that day because on work days he has to leave the house at 5am.
I avoid Black Friday like the plague. I hate crowds. I hate rudeness. I hate being rushed. I’d much rather spend more to shop at my leisure than fight a bunch of obnoxious people looking for deals and behaving like there was a natural disaster that was imminent.
I’m a Cyber Monday Girl. 🙂