Black Friday.

[Bugman]

I hope anyone here who waded into that morass came out unscathed. Watching the local news this morning, I saw no reports from outside the malls and big box stores that have been standard fare for years, and I haven't seen any reports of stampedes, fistfights and near riots from around the country. Could it be the increasing popularity of online shopping is taking some of the urgency (real or perceived) out of the day, and Black Friday will become just another day of the holiday season?

 

[llllllll]

I sure hope your theory about online shopping is correct. I only heard of 3 related shootings, all in different states, but I find the whole idea of the shopping frenzy ridiculous. I don't make much money, but I'd much rather pay a little more and not deal with the bargain sharks.

 

[Mitchell]

I never participate in Black Friday. I gave up retail shopping, years ago, for the most part.

Now, I do.. more than 90% of my shopping on Amazon.

Even though one has to wait up to a week for the merchandise to arrive, the difference in price of the bargains of Amazon, and the higher priced, frenzy of retail, makes it worthwhile.

 

[rdhd]

From what I have experienced, was more on-line orders, both last night and today. Not as much of the crowds as in past years.

 

[Mrcool]

Normally Id go nuts on black Friday, sadly money is the tighter then it has ever been. So most of my gifts are going to be from the interwebs, ether way I prefer to make my own gifts its cheap,fun and can't be bought at a store

 

[Bugman]

I sure hope your theory about online shopping is correct. I only heard of 3 related shootings, all in different states, but I find the whole idea of the shopping frenzy ridiculous. I don't make much money, but I'd much rather pay a little more and not deal with the bargain sharks.

Of course right after I posted this I saw a report of a man shot and killed in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart in Nevada, but it may be a case of road rage (a topic worthy of its own thread) and self-defense unrelated to shopping. As far as the rest of your post, amen brother, amen. I'm right there with you.

I never participate in Black Friday. I gave up retail shopping, years ago, for the most part.

Now, I do.. more than 90% of my shopping on Amazon.

Even though one has to wait up to a week for the merchandise to arrive, the difference in price of the bargains of Amazon, and the higher priced, frenzy of retail, makes it worthwhile.

Same here Mitch. I've been buying books, CDs and DVDs online for years, and I'm now buying most of my clothes online. One thing I won't buy online is shoes. I want to try them on first.

Oh, good luck with the new job. Hope it works out for you.

 

[Bugman]

From what I have experienced, was more on-line orders, both last night and today. Not as much of the crowds as in past years.

A report from the front. Maybe my theory does hold water.

Normally Id go nuts on black Friday, sadly money is the tighter then it has ever been. So most of my gifts are going to be from the interwebs, ether way I prefer to make my own gifts its cheap,fun and can't be bought at a store

Nothing wrong with that. A handmade gift can mean a lot more than something plucked off a shelf.

 

[Mitchell]

Understood, bug.

I recently bought a blanket on Amazon after my old one wore out. It's wonderful.

Thanks for the good wishes with the job.

 

[Mitchell]

One other comment I want to make about Black Friday.

I'll put this in a separate post.

Maybe it's because many of the people I know, don't participate in Black Friday.. That having been said..,

I don't exactly see what the hysteria is about Black Friday

Multitudes of people rushing to retailers.. to participate in frenzied shopping, to deal with crowds, long lines, and perhaps even, as I've see in some clips, dangerous conditions.

As someone I was very close to used to say.. when they didn't understand the reason for something like this.

What For?

A close friend and I were talking about this very issue just today.

This person told me that they already did most/almost all of their holiday shopping , and finished it early, for precisely this reason.

To avoid the rush of Black Friday/the holidays.

I couldn't agree more.

Of course, as always, I respect others rights to do whatever they want.

If they want to be involved in Black Friday shopping, that is of course, their right.

I've always chosen to follow the less hectic route.

I plan to stay away from malls/retailers over the holidays.

I just find such is the more prudent option for me.

 

[milagros317]

The last five years or so, 90% of my shopping is online. Why wait in long lines at stores when you can sit relaxed in front of your computer screen and pick out what you want?
😀