rashore Posted November 20, 2014 #1 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Commercialism is the King of Christmas... Or at least that's what some people think. Over the last few years here in the states the tradition of Black Friday has been creeping earlier and earlier into Thanksgiving... And dragging on into Shop Local Saturday and Cyber Monday. So a lot of bigger retailers have decided to open doors on Thanksgiving for pre Black Friday shopping. And a lot of people are mad about it, stating that Thanksgiving is meant for sharing time with family, not commercialism. Others think it's great to be able to get out of the house and hit up the deals on Turkey day. Some folks are irritated when they see Christmas start popping up even before the fall equinox, let alone Halloween. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around they are sick of the whole thing entirely- and still have another month to go before Christmas! And then you have the problems and stories about Black Friday of fights breaking out over Elmo's or people getting trampled or even keeling over without anyone noticing or caring because they are too busy looking for that great deal on a Christmas gift. So what's your take on Black Friday? Do you go out shopping on the day, take advantage of early shopping on Thanksgiving? Do you avoid going out in public at all for the whole weekend, choosing to stay inside and eat Thanksgiving leftovers the whole time? Do you think it's fair for retailers to have their employees work on Thanksgiving- or do you think it's fair, what those employees signed up for when they took the job? Or do you have other opinions on what is probably one of the biggest shopping spree times of the year here in the states? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XenoFish Posted November 20, 2014 #2 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Sums up my thoughts. I worked stocking at a Toy's R Us back in 1998 on Black Friday. Oh, the insanity. Went in at 1 am. People already waiting for the doors to open. Went into the mess once, just once and will never again. But unfortunately my oldest daughter has a job at Panera Bread, which means I may have to go head first into hell. People a truck loads of crazy. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted November 20, 2014 #3 Share Posted November 20, 2014 (edited) I worked fairly near a mall and I've heard all the horror stories I need to hear, from exhausted people who arrived at six in the morning or earlier to catch these "great deals". You couldn't pay me to go shopping the weekend after Thanksgiving. I don't mind stores opening on Turkey Day. There are usually enough employees who would rather work then spend more time with their family than they have to. If people would rather go shopping who cares? I've had people refuse to come to my house Christmas or Thanksgiving with football being the deal breaker. Some people just can't survive if they miss a game. Edit: The TV is not an option in our house when we have guests. If you want to watch it stay at home. My husband is more adamant about that than I am. Edited November 20, 2014 by Michelle 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aztek Posted November 20, 2014 #4 Share Posted November 20, 2014 retailers do everything to sell more, as it has been seen for few recent years, people are not buying\spending as they did before. those that have to work, well, someone has to, i'm sure there are many professions that would like to stay home with family but can't. cops, bus\train drivers, emt, fire dept......... i personaly do not go shopping on friday, i go to work every friday after TG for 20+ years now, (some years i did take friday off, when i could). as for peopel camping out the night before waiting for cheap stuff, i think it is more of a sport to them than real need, and what i do not believe, that they save anything, people usually buy useless things, just because they are cheap\on sale. save $300 on tv you do not really need, (how can you not buy 60" plasma for 400???) but buy another 5 ueless thing and waste those $300. that is how cc get maxed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imaginarynumber1 Posted November 20, 2014 #5 Share Posted November 20, 2014 And some of us still don't give a **** 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubbly_Dooright Posted November 20, 2014 #6 Share Posted November 20, 2014 (edited) I'm career retail, so you know I am familiar with Black Friday as a tradition. Yup, I will be working on that day this year, as well as been working it most of the times through out my adult life. There have been places I worked, that I didn't work Black Friday, and I thought that was weird. The thing is, that is where the crazy temporary savings and deals are. Some really do think it's worth it. Sometimes it can be very festive, almost like a party in places I have worked. And other times, it can get chaotic and even violent. I worked at a Walmart, that when it opened it's doors early one Black Friday, there were already a mob banging at the doors. The store manager at that time, even got slapped in the face! (now, I'm not proud to say this, and with the awful practices this man did in his job, we sometimes felt he deserved it, but that's another story.) It was still shocking that some lady had the gall to slap him. It was rumored that we would open late Thanksgiving evening, but that will not happen, and it's early in the morning on that Friday, I will be to work that day. I think it is crazy that some places will be open for Thanksgiving. I can understand the feelings that people feel it's a time with family. But, hospitals, a lot of restaurants, (understandable) and such will be open. So, where does one stand? I also agree, it's getting crazier with all the hoopla getting out earlier and earlier. I think I see a neighbor a street over already has the Christmas decorations up. Seriously?! Edited November 20, 2014 by Stubbly_Dooright 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patient Zero Posted November 20, 2014 #7 Share Posted November 20, 2014 Greed is one hell of a driving force. Retailers are greedy for the money of the greedy, deal hungry consumer. i see it every year, it's rather disgusting. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XenoFish Posted November 21, 2014 #8 Share Posted November 21, 2014 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilly Posted November 21, 2014 #9 Share Posted November 21, 2014 I never go near a store on Black Friday. I don't care if they're giving stuff away. Dealing with the crowds is just way too much for me. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xYlvax Posted November 21, 2014 #10 Share Posted November 21, 2014 You couldn't drag me out of the house Black Friday, couldn't pay me, nope. I've heard the stories and I would be the type to knock some crazy person out. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVG Posted November 21, 2014 #11 Share Posted November 21, 2014 I do feel sorry for the people that have to work on holidays. I worked a swing shift for 13 years that was 7 days in a row and only 1 weekend off per month, the plant never shut down and we worked every holiday. This had nothing to do with greed it was just the way it was like police, hospital workers and services that need to be there no mater what. What ever shift we were on during what ever holiday we celebrated at work one way or the other... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OverSword Posted November 21, 2014 #12 Share Posted November 21, 2014 This up coming black Friday I plan on doing what I've done many times over the years. I live within easy walking distance of the heart of the city and I'm going to go walk around and enjoy people watching. Actually that's not totally honest. I happen to work in an office building which is right where I'm going. The two women that work in the accounting department in my office have to work that day because it's month end so I'm also going to take them to lunch. I will not be doing any Christmas shopping that day unless it is spontaneous. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama13 Posted November 21, 2014 #13 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Edit: The TV is not an option in our house when we have guests. If you want to watch it stay at home. My husband is more adamant about that than I am. Friends come to my house for the express purpose of watching the games. Who wants to watch them alone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aztek Posted November 21, 2014 #14 Share Posted November 21, 2014 . I think I see a neighbor a street over already has the Christmas decorations up. Seriously?! i already see xmas trees in peoples windows, lol, not many, but few in my building have trees up already, there is prbly more, cuz i can only see trees that are by windows, and have lights on, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted November 21, 2014 #15 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Friends come to my house for the express purpose of watching the games. Who wants to watch them alone? That's great if it's your thing. Everybody knows the score when they come to our house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamato Posted November 21, 2014 #16 Share Posted November 21, 2014 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_of_Blades Posted November 22, 2014 #17 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I don't go shopping on Black Friday, but I do go out. It's actually a lot of fun to see what little humans will throw their humanity away for. The day after we give thanks for all of the useless crap we already own, no less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Serenity Posted November 23, 2014 #18 Share Posted November 23, 2014 (edited) On Friday I went to Target and got most of my shopping done. Today I got three more people done and tomorrow after work I'm going to get my dad. My shopping will be all done! Started super early because I didn't want to go after Thanksgiving/Black Friday. I always do it early December. Edited November 23, 2014 by Princess Serenity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+susieice Posted November 24, 2014 #19 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Last year we posted quite a few vids of riots and other crazy goings on for Black Friday. I think we can be sure there will be more this year. I'd never be in a raving crowd of bargain hunter. Fighting kicking screaming...not for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVG Posted November 24, 2014 #20 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I will be out on Black Friday with my daughter and Grandson. We shy away from the malls and head for downtown which only has one store left and no big crowds. We are not after bargains and we always stop at our favorite restaurant for a nice peaceful lunch. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiffSplitkins Posted November 24, 2014 #21 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Can you imagine if the Ferguson verdict is read smack dab in the middle of Black Friday? Things could get ugly very quickly nationwide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMelsWell Posted November 24, 2014 #22 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I live across the street from a mall. A mall that doesn't have enough parking on a Tuesday in July, much less on Black Friday. This means I will work from home because traffic will be too horrible to even get out of my house. I won't even walk over to the mall. We will be having TG dinner very early this year because my cousin manages a Coach store, her mall opens on TG evening and she has to work. Thanks for screwing up our family day greedy retailers. I was reading an article in our local news this weekend... There's one gent in this area who owns several computer stores, and he's refusing to open on TG... and opting to pay the steep mall fines for keeping his doors shut and his employees home. Good for him! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHaYap Posted November 24, 2014 #23 Share Posted November 24, 2014 After the success of Nov 11 ~ singles day ~ or Double 11 ~ 11 November 2014 Last updated at 16:41 Alibaba's Singles' Day sales exceed predictions at $9.3bn China's online retail giant Alibaba says it has pulled in $9.3bn (£5.9bn) in sales from its annual 'Singles' Day' shopping event. At the end of Tuesday, the firm said sales had reached 57.1 billion yuan, and that it had shipped 278 million orders - 43% of which were placed on mobile devices. Last year, Alibaba recorded sales of $5.75bn, shipping 150 million packages. Singles' Day is the world's biggest online retail sales day. bbc link now they are bracing for : couples day ~ Double 12 or Dec 12 ~ Oh those numbers ~ how those Wall Street players are squirming in their designer label boxers ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+susieice Posted November 25, 2014 #24 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Can you imagine if the Ferguson verdict is read smack dab in the middle of Black Friday? Things could get ugly very quickly nationwide. It's just been read. No indictment. Ugly might happen a little sooner though I hope not. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooklynGuy Posted November 28, 2014 #25 Share Posted November 28, 2014 Let the Insanity begin Shoppers fight over TVs, tablets and BARBIES in Thanksgiving havoc: Scuffles break out across the nation as bargain-hunters start brawls and stores expect to take $2.5billion by opening early Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2852381/No-time-turkey-nap-Black-Friday-starts-early-millions-holiday-shoppers-storm-stores-open-Thanksgiving-night-sales.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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