Black Friday Madness

[Moderator 8]

I was curious to see how the insanity they call "Black Friday" went for everyone that ventured out yesterday. I myself tried to cash in on the turmoil, but missed out because evidently I should've been at the store with a sleeping bag and thermos of coffee, at 10pm thankgiving night. LOL

M had a deal for the Nintendo Wii, where you'd get a $50 off coupon for your next purchase. The catch though, there was only 50 available for purchase. I had already planned on buying one for my girlfriend for X-mas, so I thought I'd try and get one there. The sale started at 5am, and I got there at 4:30. When I got there, there was a huge line. I'm all about cashing in on a good deal, but some of these people are nuts to say the least. Needless to say, I didn't get one there, but I did buy one yesterday elsewhere.

With all the businesses out on that end of town, it's a traffic nightmare. When passing W on the way at 4:30ish in the morning, their parking lot was completely full, with A and L J' lots full as well. I like the convience of having pretty much all the stores I shop at in one place, but days like yesterday you have to pay close attention to your surroundings with all of Marion and surrounding counties all jammed like sardines in one place. I didn't even go to W, but I can imagine the chaos that went on, and K for that matter too.

I guess I don't have the patiece neccesary to go out after Thanksgiving dinner and set up camp, to wait on the "super savings". LOL.

Hope everyone had a great and safe Thanksgiving!

[jellybean]

I went to a department store at the mall at around 9:30 AM to buy coats for the kids, winter boots, gloves, and some sketchers for me... none are gifts... just stuff I would have bought anyway so thought I venture out to get a better deal. It was not too crowded. You would have to PAY me to go to the W or any store like that. Then again stores like that don't have stuff I would buy for gifts.

Later on I shopped online for photoshop actions that were on sale for Black Friday... saved about $60 on those.

I had a very peaceful shopping day.

[Dean.]

I would never go out on Black Friday to shop. We rarely, if ever, buy at brick and mortar stores. I'm waiting for Cyber Monday! I already have a ton of fantastic offers in my email box. Did anyone notice the number of retailers advertising on television this year with their doorbuster items going on sale on Thanksgiving Day morning at the wee hours trying to get the jump on everyone else?

I sure hope this isn't the beginning of a new trend. I hate it when I see stores open on Thanksgiving Day.

[Blackjack]

We ventured forth at early hours with a list. We had specific items that we wanted (non-gifts) and decided to have fun with it. Nothing was essential. We took the little ones and after getting our items, we ate breakfast out. A treat for the kids since we rarely eat out.

It was pretty insane, but everywhere we went, people were calm and friendly. I think the right attitude goes a long way....


All in all, it was a good time.

[ohiostate4ever]

I usally don't get my hopes up on these "doorbuster deals". I know they carry a limited amount of said product, so if I get it I get it, if not oh well. If I don't have anything planned, I'll give it a shot. I jut can't see myself getting all worked up and crazed over something I have to be at the store waiting hours upon hours in advance.

I do buy things online as well. I got my Wii at the mall, but I ordered a extra remote and nunchuk contoller off of Ebay for it at more than 50% less than retail. There are some great deals online if you look around.

The whole Thanksgiving day sales are a bit overboard. I'm glad grocey stores were open, I needed a couple last minute items for dinner. But early AM sales are a bit too much.

[Dean.]

I wish that the state government would reinstate the "Blue Laws" and also force the stores to close on major holidays. I remember when election day was a closed day and you couldn't even buy booze or a drink.

If the stores took all of that money that they spend to promote items sold at or below cost and spread it out across the board then prices would be lower all over. I detest "shoppers cards" and "preferred customer sales" and "award perqs". Just lower the d*mn prices!

[motherof3]

My hubby and I ventured out on Friday morning...but NOT at 4 a.m. We left a note for the kids telling them that we went shopping and left close to 7 and returned home before 10 a.m. We got a few good deals, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood....I think next year I'll remember to take more coffee with me I was Soooo tired!!

[Frank Drebin]

I did this year for the first time in five years. I never though I would do it again because it's a pain in the neck to deal with crowds like that especially at 4am but- I'm a third shifter now so I was more tolerant and I only had one item to get. It was a great deal and it was worth standing in line for an hour to get. Also, it was kind of amusing watching how crazy people get over the deal!

[mommyof3]

This was the the first year I didnt go it was nice to just sit at home with the kids I was ahead of my own game this year I bought my kids last gift on Thanksgiving night off of the internet so kids were finished before Black Friday even rolled around. Just a few small things to get for the in-laws, nieces and nephews nothing worth fighting the crowds over.

[Frank Drebin]

This was the the first year I didnt go it was nice to just sit at home with the kids I was ahead of my own game this year I bought my kids last gift on Thanksgiving night off of the internet so kids were finished before Black Friday even rolled around. Just a few small things to get for the in-laws, nieces and nephews nothing worth fighting the crowds over.

I'm gonna try and do the same next year. Black Friday revealed a few black souls this year. ech!

[One]

We always go out for Black Saturday. The day after Christmas usually reveals the best deals for high end items that stores try and move before the end of the year. Although from what I have heard everyone exceeded their retail expectations this year. We are looking to get a newer LCD HDTV with 240Hz and moving our older one into the bedroom. Tomorrow the one we want will be 600 cheaper than it was last week, hopefully they still have one in stock by the time we get there.