Black Friday

[Dodie16]

Well, "Black Friday" is fast approaching, and you all know what that means? Crazy deals with even crazier shoppers!

For those that don't live in the US, it's the day after Thanksgiving, where shopping centers open really early in the morning and offer really good deals for consumers.

So, how many TFFers are going to be out and about in the wee hours of the morning to get in some holiday shopping? Have you ever been before? And is anyone stuck working on that day?

To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm going to do any shopping on that day this year. I might go just to take a look around though. My family has always planned a shopping trip on that day, so I'll probably just tag along with them.

[Rocky]

I haven't seen any big sales for anything that interests me as of yet but I also haven't taken the time to look through the paper for said sales. I have some money from my birthday that needs to be spent so I'll be looking. I need to get a new ipod so hopefully theres a good sale for one, mine is taking a dump atm and needs to be docked on my laptop everyday or else it stopes working

[Taco-Calamitous]

I've gone every year since I was in like fourth or fifth grade. My big bro used to call it "Dia De Los Socks," because of the fights people used to have... over socks (and still do!) I used to get most of my Christmas shopping done that day, but then I discovered Amazon. Now I just go for the coffee and donuts, and because the majority of my family goes too, and y'never know; I might snag a sweet deal on a DVD or game or something. Then again, standing in line for an hour at Target and navigating hallways filled with people in such a way that you must walk in one direction or not at all might be something I could do without... Anyhoo...

Wuv, Yer Mom

EDIT: I need a new iPod or MP3 Player too; stepped on mine last week. (Though it's probably a Christmas wishlist item for me...)

[kupo]

i'll be waking quite early this friday.........to catch a plane to atlanta.....
i think ive done the whole "black friday" thing once and its a little too ridiculous for my taste. now i get stuff a few days before thanksgiving or online.

[loaf]

I used to love working on Black Friday when I was working at Best Buy. I mean, working warehouse and merchandising all we did was stand in normal clothes and stock or do what I did and do nothing and blend in because it's pointless to stock things haha. 12 hour shifts of doing nothing waaaat? 2 years ago I just stood at the emergency exit...an exit that took 30 seconds to unlock.

I haven't actually gone to one for shopping. I don't ever see much interest in what is cheap.

[GypsyElder]

Working on Black Friday is a friggin zoo. I remember my first day of work EVER was on Black Friday. My legs were so sore by the end of the day and it didn't help that I had to close, so I had to sweep and everything -_-

I need clothes really bad. REALLY BAD ;_: I'm hoping my dad will let me mooch off him since Black Friday would be the best day to do so

[fierytempest]

I just realized I work on Black Friday. >.> Luckily I'm just a poor McDonald's employee, but still.

I might. The shopping place in our area has thing thing that the first 1000 people get a $25 free gift card to the stores in the pavilion, and it's only redeemable until 3am. Last year my friend and I went and waited for like 4 hours, and my feet were completely numb. It was FREEZING. But so worth it. I bought some boots I really wanted, which may come in handy if she and I decide to do it again this year. :3

[Matthewop]

I hate Friday working Friday. It is true about "Black Friday". While in another, it is a day nearly free. so two different feelings!

[Pete]

I avoid it like the plague. I went once, a few years back with my ex, and it's safe to say that it's something I'll never do ever again. You could offer me a free sandwich, beer and a blowjob to go, and you still would not find me anywhere near a store that day.

To me, the deals are great for the people who want to go nuts for them, but it really brings out the worst in people for material goods. Christmas isn't about who can give someone the biggest or hottest gift of the year. It's about family and being with the people you love and give a shit about. The gifts should be an expression of that, saying "I appreciate you," and not a competition.

Long story short, **** black friday.

[DragonHeart]

Totally agree, Pete. Did you see that story either last year or the year before about the Wal-Mart employee who got trampled to death on Black Friday? What the hell, people. Damned glad I only work in a pharmacy retailer, but still. We do a lot of Black Friday deals too, even if ours generally suck. People still buy them. The longer I work in retail the more I hate consumerism, honestly. It's all so ridiculous.

Sadly, I am working it this year. I forgot to ask for it off in exchange for working on Thanksgiving. /sigh. I think I'm working night that day though so if I'm lucky people will be mostly shopped out by the time I get there.

I never participate in the shopping aspect of the day, at least not by going out to stores to shop. I'll probably just see if Newegg's got deals on the stuff I need for my mom's Christmas present. I'm building her and her fiancee a new computer this year. Cheaper than buying a new one but still runs a decent bill up. Good timing too cause hers just kicked the bucket a few days ago. I hope she doesn't act rashly and buy one before then, I want to keep it a surprise for as long as possible.

~DragonHeart~

[Merlin]

Years ago you could find good deals on high-end gear. Nowadays, sales fall into two categories: stuff that is marked up higher than it really costs or most often, absolute CRAP. The former is straight up dirty. They mark up the "retail" price of items to unrealistic numbers then put the items on "sale" for the regular price or higher. People think they are getting a good deal when in fact they are getting suckered. People still fall for this every year, usually those that don't know better or don't think to compare prices online.

For the past several years I have scoured through the ads in advance looking for a good deal on a TV or speakers, etc and every year the stuff on sale is garbage. If you're lucky they might have the crap marked with high-end names on sale, but its still crap.

I was almost victim to the scam one year. They had Klipsch tower speakers on sale for dirt cheap. But after five minutes of research on the good ole internet, I quickly realized they were cheap "only good enough for Best Buy". Dell does the same thing, along with quite a few other big named companies. They sneak garbage products into stores like Best Buy to sucker people who hear their friends talking about their awesome home theater, etc. People buy these products thinking they are getting high-end equipment when in fact its just trash with a name mark-up.

So instead I waited a few months until the speaker product lines were switching to the "latest and greatest" and bought my tower speakers online. I was able to get speakers that retailed for $1500 a pop for $300 each, just because they were last year's model and companies were doing anything they could to dump them to make room for the new stuff. They were the exact same as the new ones except the case was different and the stats were about 1% better. I got my TV the same way. $2,000 TV for $750 just because it was the last year model.

Don't waste your time looking at the FAKE sales on Black Friday. Do your research and find out when the product you are interested in is switching out and buy it then. /soap box

[Lily]

I really really wish we had this, especially as I need a new tv

Envy ]:

[Tallulah]

I just realized I work on Black Friday. >.> Luckily I'm just a poor McDonald's employee, but still.

I bet that's horrendous, especially if your restaurant is right near a shopping centre or something. :/

As we don't really 'do' Thanksgiving over here it's not much of a problem but every weekend in December, especially the first weekend (That is when the Christmas market is) can get really hectic. Our restaurant is near three of the biggest housing estates and is within a shopping centre and industrial estate, so it gets busy from shoppers, people coming from work, and young families looking for something cheap(ish) to eat. At the best of times it's either really busy or dead. Nowhere in between.

[sayian]

im in that small group of ppl that hate crowded places... everytime someone asks me if i wanna go somwhere my question is...."is it gonna be packed?" and thats one of thosed days that everyone in america will be out and pushing thru doors at 4am to buy toys and whatever.. last year one guy got KILLED at walmart because he was at the front of the line and fell and the rest of the people jus stepped and stomped all over him ...... jus effen retarded

[~FANTASY-ENDER~]

I have to work on Thanksgiving, but luckly I'm off on Black Friday. My girlfirend has to work on Black Friday, hate to be her lol. I'm planning to be at Wal-Mart by 12am on the 26th and spending like crazy. This will be the 3rd time in the last 5 years (deployments that I was on that I had to missed this fun in 2006 & 2009) that I will be doing this crazy shopping thing.

[Tallulah]

Update: They are actually trying to bring it in over here.

I think it is just Amazon.co.uk pushing it at the moment (I received an e-mail entitled 'Black Friday' something-or-other this morning), which would make sense as it is a US company/also operates in the US.

[Alpha]

I've never heard of 'Black Friday'. To me that's just a Friday the 13th.

The commercialisation of Christmas. They're at it again. Merry Capitalmas!

[Sinister]

Oh, you non-Americans...wow. You can't imagine, it's the greatest thing ever. I LOVE Black Friday. It's fantastic. Plenty of years, I've just driven out to a Walmart at 3 AM on Black Friday...not to buy...just to see people. Watching people shop on black friday is more psychologically significant and vallid than any case study or art film.

It's true that one year I was actually duped into shopping on Black Friday, but I was doing it more as a favor.

Some years they actually do have a few items, I'd like to pick up...and I do. But it's ultra rare. (happened twice, I believe)

Anyway, long story short...It's a spectator's sport extravaganza the likes of which you should not pass up. Mankind, en masse, at it's Grinchiest, greediest, materialistic and vapid as hell. Makes for a good show and it makes you feel tons better about yourself, so long as you don't find yourself struggling with the crowd.

-Sin

[OceanEyes28]

I prefer Cyber Monday. I can stay home and get great deals online. No, the sales aren't as extreme as Black Friday sales, but I've still gotten some pretty great deals for none of the hassle.

Large dumb crowds turn me into a person I'm not proud of.

[Merlin]

What is even better is the day after Black Friday. Back when I had to work Black Friday in Wal-Mart you see mad dashes of people snatching up TVs guaranteed to work until you took it home and plugged it in. Next morning? The same people are lined up out the door around the building waiting to RETURN it.

My friends... there's a reason it is on sale. BECAUSE IT SUCKS. The key to Black Friday is this: If it is worth buying, it isn't on sale.

[Josh_R]

McDonald's called me in to work from 3am-3pm. So basically I am f*cked. It is gonna be a hectic day. Lunch will be kinda slow, but breakfast is gonna be f*cking crazy.

[Merlin]

What you quickly learn working in fast food is... if you don't pick up the phone, they can't call you into work. Of course once I became an assistant store manager I couldn't use that excuse. /sigh

Unfortunately I get to chauffeur my mom around on Black Friday since she injured herself and can't drive at the moment. Just what I wanted to do... get up at 3AM in the morning, stand out in the cold waiting on stores to open, and fight crowds of greedy dumbass people thinking they are getting good deals just so my mom can get the free gift at JCPennys.

I know I'm a hater, but I personally hate Thanksgiving in general. Probably has something to do with the fact that it always involves spending the days doing yard work and/or hanging obscene amounts of Christmas lights, followed by helping decorate the inside of my parents house as well. Yeah. Sounds like a blast. I sooo can't wait for tomorrow. Shame I just fixed my car or I could've used that as an excuse to not go... I need to decorate MY house dammit. lol

[Josh_R]

What you quickly learn working in fast food is... if you don't pick up the phone, they can't call you into work.

I am a crew leader, and am doing my training for management now. So when they call me I have to come in, or no management job for me.