Dec 4, 2008

Black Friday

I'm not a shopper. So my obsession with Black Friday came as a surprise to me. It's my husband's fault. In my book, sleep trumps shopping any day, but he got me out one year and it became a sport. Extreme Shopping. No, actually, for us: Extreme Exaggeration. The ultimate scavenger hunt: How many wacky situations can you encounter in one morning?
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So the night before... we prepare. Scour the ads. Map the route. Verify store opening times. Spread false rumors to others and redirect the crowd. Stuff like that.
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The term "Black Friday" was first used in 1966 in Philadelphia & it was used by the police in relation to the traffic jams and overcrowding. They had terrible trouble controlling. . .
. . . jaywalkers.

Isn't it sad how far we've declined? In the '60's and '70's, the rush and multitude led to jaywalking, in 2008, it led to death by trampling (Walmart) and death by fighting (Toys R Us duel). Desperation, greed, selfishness, illplaced affections, stress, rush, ill manners.
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If you're going to shop at 4 in the morning, you are going to look suspicious, sneaky. It wasn't to intimidate anyone. Really. Stealth Shopping. Under the cover of darkness.
Marj: "I got my game face on."

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Call us naive, but we were stunned when we arrived at Khol's and there were no parking spots available. I was stunned Starbucks wasn't open, what a business they would have done, so disappointing. As we familiarized with the store, I did my people watching.

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Within minutes of arrival, Patti secured us a spot in the check-out line which had already reached clear around the store & into the back. We took turns shopping & standing in line holding our place. We did not, however, take turns making Starbucks coffee trips like I've done in past years (KATH!). Bad, bad Starbucks.

Honestly, the sales weren't very good. Definitely not worth getting up at 3 and waiting in hour long lines. I just don't get it. I really don't understand why so many people do this. There are rare "door busters" that are worth it, but they are few & far between & usually become family folklore for many years following.
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But Black Friday is.... well.... a national tradition. Did you know Black Friday even had a presence on twitter this year? There were several websites dedicated to Black Friday shopping & of course many books capitalizing on the term.
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More recently, Black Friday has taken on the idea of being the time of year when stores go "in the black" - start making a profit. It's hard to imagine them not making profits all year long with prices being so outrageous.
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But anyway... I do like the rush. The adreneline. The (eventual) coffee stops. The break for breakfast.
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I love watching how crazy people can be. At one store, I wanted to buy a sports-team hoodie. It was one for $35 or two for $30. I told him I really, seriously only wanted one. I didn't like the sports teams advertisted, except this one, and it was a gift. "One is $35, maam, I can't change that," he says, all authority like. They paid me $5 to take a hoodie. Yeah, profits must be real good and managers a little low on brains. So I ended up with 2. (and some of you guys out there will see these babies wrapped up under the tree)
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So that's my summary of Black Friday.
Like I said....
I'm not a shopper.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Remember when we went out on Black Friday here in NY!!! I went out this year also, to find out what I wanted was already sold out, they probably only had 2!!! So I came home and ordered them on line and paid less!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so proud of myself I finally figured out how to post on here!!!! It's taken me awhile, and I've kept so many comments to myself!!!!

Anonymous said...

Well, I guess I don't have it perfect yet!!!

Poof said...

C'mon, Anonymous, let it out. Share some of those comments! Welcome aboard!

Poof said...

Fern.... memories are flooding.... we've done Black Friday together, haven't we? Something about.... oh yes.... chicken speidie pizza for breakfast?....

Anonymous said...

For somebody that doesn't like shopping those bags are pretty full. FOUR O'CLOCK are you crazy!

Anonymous said...

WOW - HOLY MACKERIAL - HEAVENLY - Aunt Fern has figured out how to post on your blog from heaven. I wonder who is next going to figure it out - maybe Aunt Becky?

Anonymous said...

Sorry, to disappoint you driftwood it isn't Aunt Fern from Heaven!!

Poof, I forgot about the chicken/spiedie pizza!!!!

The Seeker said...

I think anyone who goes out for Black Friday has a screw lose! I'm just sayin...the really good deals are few and far between, and you generally see the worst in people out there - pushing, @&#*%$&ing, and now...killing...yea, great stuff. But that's just me....I'll be looking for that sports team sweatshirt under my tree!

Anonymous said...

Well, you've obviously hit a nerve with this post. I HATE shopping. Hate, hate, hate it.

Only once did I go to Joann Fabric on Black Friday. Never, ever, ever again, even for grandchildren.

Did I mention I hate shopping?

What I meant was I hate shopping in stores. I love shopping online. The only way to go!

Anonymous said...

Whew, thought I was going crazy thinking it was dearly beloved & dearly departed Aunt Fern on here! Whew, glad I'm not crazy! But I did venture out for the 2nd time on Black Friday--it wasn't TOOOOO bad, course I went at 3PM!! ha ha!! Gotcha!!!

JMaslar said...

Black Friday is for the ladies and a few extremely brave men. Note that one man was killed by the mobs shpping at Wally Mart. Now, here is sometning about the men do on Black Friday.
http://www.troutu.com/blog/black_friday