Black Friday

Gabe N Abby Mom
Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm just wondering how many of you are Black Friday shoppers?

I worked in retail management for many years and avoid shopping this weekend with a passion. Even with that experience, I can't manage to finish my own holiday shopping till the week before Christmas. And I still thank my lucky stars that I don't have to be out of bed at 2:30am to have doors open and ready at 4am.

For those of you who are Black Friday shoppers, go out an enjoy it, live it large!

But I have a quick request...please be kind to the cashier/salesperson...S/he probably didn't get enough sleep so s/he could be there early to serve you...S/he will probably work 10-12 hours often without sufficient breaks...s/he has probably already faced 100 angry, impatient customers...S/he is possibly a temporary holiday hire and only has a couple days experience...S/he will also go home tired. Last but not least, it really bothers me to hear on the news about someone trampled or injured so shoppers could get the sale price....That's the end of my not so quick request. (Maybe I should be calling it a rant.)

I should also say that I really like the current ad campaign American Express has going in support of 'Small Business Saturday'...with all that... happy shopping everyone!

Hugs,

Linda
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Comments

  • Jean T. Szabo
    Jean T. Szabo Member Posts: 193
    Black Friday
    Happy Thanksgiving! Avoiding shopping on Black Friday. Witnessed lines and shoving once and that was enough to make me not want to ever do it. Almost done with my shopping. Need to get tree up and decorate.
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member

    Black Friday
    Happy Thanksgiving! Avoiding shopping on Black Friday. Witnessed lines and shoving once and that was enough to make me not want to ever do it. Almost done with my shopping. Need to get tree up and decorate.

    NO!
    OMG! I have never and will never shop on Black Friday. I do have some girlfriends that have made a ritual out of it and always want me to go, but, getting up at 3 a.m.? For starters, NO, I won't do that. And, to fight the crowds? NO, I won't do that either. And, do I really need anything? NO, I have everything I want or need right here at home.

    For those of you that go...have a great time and be careful. And, GET those DEALS! lol


    Sue :)
  • lizzie17
    lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
    I avoid it
    I do not shop on Black Friday------I can't stand the people that I seem to encounter.
    And yes, the poor cashiers....There is no excuse for the rudeness they get at times.
    Also, I run into coughing, sneezing, germy people. No need to deliberately get so close.
    Trying to keep my immune system strong.
  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    Ritzy said:

    NO!
    OMG! I have never and will never shop on Black Friday. I do have some girlfriends that have made a ritual out of it and always want me to go, but, getting up at 3 a.m.? For starters, NO, I won't do that. And, to fight the crowds? NO, I won't do that either. And, do I really need anything? NO, I have everything I want or need right here at home.

    For those of you that go...have a great time and be careful. And, GET those DEALS! lol


    Sue :)

    No
    I don't do it either I really never saw anything i wanted that bad even though i get up very early anyway we cancer patients don't need to be in the crowd anyway, I had chemo today an one of the chemo nurses told all of us getting chemo we didn't need to be in the crowd,You know I hurry up and get to another isle when i hear some one coughing now i get up and go to wal-mart early before the pharmacy opens that's when all the sick people come in. I actually bought a gift card the other day (one that doesn't have hidden charges)to christmas shop with on line, I already have my Christmas present just being here! it's for my boys 13 and 19 they just pick what they want(i mean what we can afford) Happy Thanksgiving,I'm brushing my tongue and rinsing so maybe I could just taste a little something tomorrow LOL. MollyZ
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    Never have and dont' plan on
    Never have and dont' plan on every doing Black Friday..I am most done with shopping..usually wrapped by now..but my daughter and grandsons live with us..so hard to do with them around...I dont' like to shop so shopping in crowd is not my idea of fun
  • j2twin
    j2twin Member Posts: 28
    no
    I work in retail have to be there at 2:00am. If I was not working I would not go.
  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    I do not EVER shop on black
    I do not EVER shop on black Friday, It is aggravating to say the least. And I would tell some one off for treating the sales people badly. They cant do it, but they like it when I do LOL. To many people for me, I'll stay home. If I forgot anything I will live without it. For all those that do shop on Fri Good luck be careful. I'll hold the fort down here and see ya when you get back. Take care all Kay
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234

    I do not EVER shop on black
    I do not EVER shop on black Friday, It is aggravating to say the least. And I would tell some one off for treating the sales people badly. They cant do it, but they like it when I do LOL. To many people for me, I'll stay home. If I forgot anything I will live without it. For all those that do shop on Fri Good luck be careful. I'll hold the fort down here and see ya when you get back. Take care all Kay

    shopping
    I think I will still be in a stupor from all the turkey I plan on eating....I wouldn't shop on black Friday if they were giving the stuff away.....But anyway i always have to work on Fridays so thats where I will be...Happy Thanksgiving...I know I have sooooo much to be thankful for this year!!!!!Blessings!!!!!!!!!!
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    waffle8 said:

    shopping
    I think I will still be in a stupor from all the turkey I plan on eating....I wouldn't shop on black Friday if they were giving the stuff away.....But anyway i always have to work on Fridays so thats where I will be...Happy Thanksgiving...I know I have sooooo much to be thankful for this year!!!!!Blessings!!!!!!!!!!

    No way!!
    I am not a big fan of shopping under the best of circumstances! No way do I brave black Friday. I think I would just rather not get a good deal than fight those crowds. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • Scotch Freckles
    Scotch Freckles Member Posts: 273 Member
    Shopping?
    Are you kiding. Not only do I really dislike shopping I couldn't imagin getting into the mob scene. What a joke anyway. The next day the shelves will be restocked and ready for another mob. I sort of gave up Christmas shopping due to the constant bring it on earlier each year. I prefer a quiet no hassel Christmas season. But, to all have a wonderful holiday season and be safe.
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    I'll step up to the plate &
    I'll step up to the plate & admit it: My name is Heather, and I'm a Black Friday shopper.
    I'm not one of the fanatics, though -usually I just do Toys r Us and Walmart - I go strictly for deals on presents for my kids. I'm not doing Toys R Us this year, although im done with chemo I can't wait outside for an hour before the store opens, etc. I am going to Walmart at midnight tonight but that's it -they're going to be open already, and it's never too much of a mob scene at the one I go to on black friday.
    As for the cashiers - I worked retail from high school through college. I do not stand for people trashing the cashier -and actually since my diagnosis (seems I can't keep quiet anymore about things that bother me!!) I've told a rude person more than once "being rude to the cashier isn't going to help you any". I've completely embarrased my husband by doing that once before but I dont care - being a cashier you have the most interaction with the customers, so you're first in the "line of fire" when one of them is ticked off. People have no manners anymore.
    So yes, I will be out there shopping in the middle of the night - I'll make sure there are no mistreated cashiers on my watch ;)
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    Seriously, if the economy
    Seriously, if the economy was sooo good that stores were giving it all away for free, I still wouldn't go! I have never been a mall-rat; I like to frequent small specialty stores. My major shopping is done online; I have the gifts sent dierctly to my family members. Last year, I told the kids ( 19,22,25) that instead of buying them anything major, I was using the money I would have spent on them and bought food/formula for 3rd World children through Unicef. We of course had stocking stuffers, and I always make their favorite breakfast~ crepes with fresh strawberries and warm syrup and powdered sugar.

    But, of course to any of us who are going shopping~ Be nice to the sales staff! Who knows what drama they have going on in their lives~ perhaps they have just been diagnosed with BC, or their sister or mom has. Or the myriad things we know we can have happen on an everyday basis with kids, spouses, co-workers, traffic, bills, etc. They no doubt can use a little extra patience, a silly joke and us being kind...they have a long weekend ahead of them!!!

    Hugs and Happy Turkey Day!
    Chen♥
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    chenheart said:

    Seriously, if the economy
    Seriously, if the economy was sooo good that stores were giving it all away for free, I still wouldn't go! I have never been a mall-rat; I like to frequent small specialty stores. My major shopping is done online; I have the gifts sent dierctly to my family members. Last year, I told the kids ( 19,22,25) that instead of buying them anything major, I was using the money I would have spent on them and bought food/formula for 3rd World children through Unicef. We of course had stocking stuffers, and I always make their favorite breakfast~ crepes with fresh strawberries and warm syrup and powdered sugar.

    But, of course to any of us who are going shopping~ Be nice to the sales staff! Who knows what drama they have going on in their lives~ perhaps they have just been diagnosed with BC, or their sister or mom has. Or the myriad things we know we can have happen on an everyday basis with kids, spouses, co-workers, traffic, bills, etc. They no doubt can use a little extra patience, a silly joke and us being kind...they have a long weekend ahead of them!!!

    Hugs and Happy Turkey Day!
    Chen♥

    Black Friday shopping in my jammies!
    Over the years, I've cultivated a deep spiritual belief, which I shall now share with you all:

    If I Have To Get Up Off My Butt To Buy Something, It Probably Isn't Worth Buying.

    In other words, I'm a devoted, committed, how-did-I-ever-live-without-this online shopper. And online retailers have some great Black Friday deals, too, so you'll find me tomorrow exactly where I am right now -- in my jammies, in front of my computer, a cup of tea at the ready, shopping like a maniac!

    And Linda, I like that it's getting easier to shop online with small businesses, too -- an artist friend who makes handmade gifts is having a BOGO Black Friday deal tomorrow on her etsy site, as is my favorite fair-trade coffee and tea place, Equal Exchange, on their website.

    And my co-workers get alternative gifts similar to Claudia's idea -- also bought online, from Alternative Gifts International. I think it's so important to Think Outside the Big Box for shopping when we can, and I love that the internet lets me do that.

    Traci
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    waffle8 said:

    shopping
    I think I will still be in a stupor from all the turkey I plan on eating....I wouldn't shop on black Friday if they were giving the stuff away.....But anyway i always have to work on Fridays so thats where I will be...Happy Thanksgiving...I know I have sooooo much to be thankful for this year!!!!!Blessings!!!!!!!!!!

    No way either! I have
    No way either! I have friends that have already been shopping today for 5 hours. LOL


    Happy Black Friday!
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    TraciInLA said:

    Black Friday shopping in my jammies!
    Over the years, I've cultivated a deep spiritual belief, which I shall now share with you all:

    If I Have To Get Up Off My Butt To Buy Something, It Probably Isn't Worth Buying.

    In other words, I'm a devoted, committed, how-did-I-ever-live-without-this online shopper. And online retailers have some great Black Friday deals, too, so you'll find me tomorrow exactly where I am right now -- in my jammies, in front of my computer, a cup of tea at the ready, shopping like a maniac!

    And Linda, I like that it's getting easier to shop online with small businesses, too -- an artist friend who makes handmade gifts is having a BOGO Black Friday deal tomorrow on her etsy site, as is my favorite fair-trade coffee and tea place, Equal Exchange, on their website.

    And my co-workers get alternative gifts similar to Claudia's idea -- also bought online, from Alternative Gifts International. I think it's so important to Think Outside the Big Box for shopping when we can, and I love that the internet lets me do that.

    Traci

    This is one day I would
    This is one day I would never go shopping. I hope that anyone that does has a stress free day and gets lots of good bargains.


    Hugs, Megan
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    Not me
    I went years ago with my sister and in the afternoon would go to a movie but not since the world went crazy. We don't even drive close to the mall.
  • meena1
    meena1 Member Posts: 1,003
    Marcia527 said:

    Not me
    I went years ago with my sister and in the afternoon would go to a movie but not since the world went crazy. We don't even drive close to the mall.

    I went to the Mall today!!!!
    I went to the Mall today!!!! with my daughter a hubby, it was mobbed! Most of the stores we could not even get into, but the sales were awesome. I got what i needed. then i went to walmart, which was not bad at all and i got a few things there, so i did pretty good. Tonight we had turkey sandwhiches and tomorrow my hubby is taking me to dinner. Great day
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    NO Way
    Went Christmas decoration- sightseeing today in our own city. I won't shop in the large stores on Black Friday; the crowds,pushing and shoving, really kill the fun of shopping for me. We stopped in two small shops to pick up a few things this morning and to mail the Christmas ornament out at the Post Office. No lines and no fuss; we had a wonderful day. We briefly walked through 34th Street near Macys to see the decorated windows. The place was mobbed.Needless to say, we didn't linger in the area...
    Hugs,K
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    Marcia527 said:

    Not me
    I went years ago with my sister and in the afternoon would go to a movie but not since the world went crazy. We don't even drive close to the mall.

    Are you serious? LOL
    Are you serious? LOL Never would I go shopping on black friday. There is nothing that I need that badly. LOL


    Leeza
  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    KayNYC said:

    NO Way
    Went Christmas decoration- sightseeing today in our own city. I won't shop in the large stores on Black Friday; the crowds,pushing and shoving, really kill the fun of shopping for me. We stopped in two small shops to pick up a few things this morning and to mail the Christmas ornament out at the Post Office. No lines and no fuss; we had a wonderful day. We briefly walked through 34th Street near Macys to see the decorated windows. The place was mobbed.Needless to say, we didn't linger in the area...
    Hugs,K

    I have in the past but opted
    I have in the past but opted out this year! My bed is too comfy to crawal out of and fight the crowds. Also thought with just having surgery and having to ride the go cart deal it was not a good idea.

    I gave my oldest daughter my list and she got everything I wanted all while I slept!!!!!

    My plan is to start shopping after my procedure on Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!