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Black Friday is almost here and thousands (if not millions) of people are going to hit stores in a wild frenzy to spend money and stock up on clothes, shoes, electronics, toys, stuff for furnishing an apartment … you name it. You would think that Black Friday was specifically created for people like me, big shoppers and fervent spenders. How can a shopping addict forego an abundance of stuff enhanced by early opening hours and seemingly great discounts?
If that’s what you think, brace yourself for a surprise. You are WRONG.
I don’t understand Black Friday. I despise it. I wish it would be banned. It is a consumerist nightmare created for naïve shoppers who believe in great deals and huge savings. I love shopping but I would rather stay home on Black Friday for very obvious reasons.
- I don’t want to pressure myself to be waiting in hoards of angry shoppers.
- People in those long lines scare me as they measure me up and down while deciding if they can tackle me down when doors finally open.
- I don’t want to die in Wal-Mart, or Target, or Best Buy. Black Friday reduces human life to prices on products.
- Black Friday gives people a socially acceptable excuse to punch a kid in a face, run over a pregnant woman with a cart, break a man’s nose or trample someone to death. All of this in the name of a $200 TV or a $5 dollar video game.
What a shopping enthusiast, like me, knows about Black Friday shopping deals:
- Top-brand laptops, TVs and other electronics will not be discounted so much that it suddenly becomes worth losing a few teeth in an attempt to break through a few gorillas in line. Dentist bills might be pretty high even if you have insurance. I’d wait till AFTER holiday sales, specifically for January-February. That’s when all the big and great sales happen. Especially when 2011 inventory gets so outdated that it needs to go fast.
- Winter clothes will be much better discounted in late winter or early spring. In fact, I stock up on my winter apparel when retailers prepare their store space for spring collections. That’s when you really get great deals on clothes and shoes. Instead of going to H&M for some $15 winter coat that falls apart after a week, wait a few months and hit North Face store in spring.
- Jewelry should not be an item on your shopping list because it does not get any decent discounts, especially during Holiday season. Why cut prices on something that is in high demand? The deals might sound good, but I recommend waiting for slow sale months. This is when you will see much better deals. Don’t propose during holidays, unless for some reason you have to!
Whatever is on your list for Black Friday, think about any additional potential cost that your so much desired item might carry. Is it really worth it?
We are not living in the shadow of World War II or times of hunger in the U.S. We don’t need to fight for our lives or for a piece of bread. People are hitting, trampling , punching and pushing each other in a savings-hungry rush to get to stuff, stuff and more stuff. Why aren’t we ashamed of the onslaught of consumerist debauchery that we, consumers, have created?
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Wal-mart is so dangerous on Black Friday! I hear too many stories of people getting injured in the store on that day.
Financial Success for Young Adults recently posted..Create a Vision Board for 2012
Exactly! Nothing can be worth of getting hurt or killed in a fight for what? Games and toys and electronics?
I also hope you don’t die on Black Friday! Please stay safe so you can continue to write interesting articles.
And I agree – especially on winter clothes. There are certain items that will be cheaper (2011 model electronics, anyone?) but some stuff can wait.
PKamp3 recently posted..Is College Worth It?
Honestly, pretty much anything can wait.
Excellent post. If you must shop on Black Friday, I highly recommend cyber shopping.
Melissa recently posted..Our Dairy Free and Soy Free Thanksgiving Plans
+1 to this. The last 2 years I’ve done all my Black Friday shopping online. It’s fantastic!
Jeremy @ Personal Finance Whiz recently posted..The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renting a Home vs Buying
I stay far far away from anything that resembles a store on Black Friday. No deal is worth the hassle for me, who doesn’t like crowds or waking up early or fighting. My husband has been known to venture out to see what he can score. He gets excited by the thrill of the hunt. But he’s never been hard core about it.
Last year, Target had good Black Friday deals on artificial trees, and they were still in stock by the following Monday. I’m hoping that’s the case this year too. I like the deals without the rush.
I am sure that whatever stores offer this year on Black Friday, it is still will be available later. Or even better – on-line!
At least I am not ashamed, I never bought anything significant on this day
SB @ One Cent At A Time recently posted..How to be Rich by Creating Value for Money
Walmart is on our do not shop list.
Employee treatment, destroying the small local businesses, corporate greed … I could go on and on.
You know us well enough that this isn’t our type of store. The benefits of paying $10 more on a $200 item from a local merchant truly support your local economy and in turn help people get good employment and they can spend money (hopefully not at Walmart) locally.
As for Black Friday. I won’t spend a thing. Canadians get the shaft, as always, on the best US deals.
Sustainable PF recently posted..5 Tips to Help you Downsize Your Lifestyle
I all for supporting local businesses. And I totally agree with you on Walmart, but I have to admit I do shop there on a rare occassion.
Oh common, what’s a tooth and a broken finger if you can get $200 dollars off a sweet new TV?!
Financial Samurai recently posted..What Are You Buying On Black Friday?
Haha! My teeth and fingers worth so much more, Sam.
I gave up shopping on Black Friday a few years back. Only shop online now and score just as good as deals. I won’t step foot in a Walmart on Black Friday for anything….
Dana recently posted..Great Gift Ideas for a $40 or Less Budget
On-line shopping is substituting in-store shopping more and more each year. It is def safer and easier!
Wasn’t it last year (or two years ago) when some poor fellow was trampled to death because Wal-Mart was selling discosunted TVs?
Tony @ Investorz Blog recently posted..American Democracy – Left for Dead
Yes! See Sandy’s comment. Horrible!
I completely understand your desire to avoid Black Friday like the plague – it is total chaos – but here’s why I wake up at the crack of dawn and participate in the madness: My sister-in-law and I go together and honestly have fun putting together our lists the night before and catching up while we stand in line (for hours…seriously.) My husband and mother-in-law watch our young daughter while I knock out the majority of our Christmas shopping and am back in time for lunch, and I avoid dragging her to the mall every weekend in December. We go armed with our coupons from the newspaper and emails and do score some great deals.
We go after the stores have already opened – no mad dash for the doors or big ticket items. We are generally shopping for toys, clothing, inexpensive jewelry – nothing that we need to be first in line for. Also – I have never experienced any rudeness, shoving, or elbowing out of the way – mostly everyone is smiling, laughing at ourselves for being up so early and in a Target, and helping each other find things. Maybe this is because I’m shopping in a medium sized town in the South and not a big city?
For me being able to get a bunch of gifts that would normally cost $30 – 40 each for $15 – 20 each and have a fun, kid free shopping trip with my sister-in-law is totally worth it, but hey, if it’s not for you absolutely stay home! I’ll be thinking of you all nice and cozy at home while I’m trying to find a parking spot at 6 am!
Good Cents Savings recently posted..How’s Your Fashion Cents?
You know I would shop with you! When I was reading your comment I was wondering where in hell do you shop with firendly people on Black Friday? lNot in my neigbourhood! lol Now it makes total sense! Small towns are much friendlier than big cities. I have a friend who does her Black Friday shopping in a small Montana town. She loves it. I bet your experience can turn me into a Black Friday shopper.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
my wife wants to go to target for black friday. i told her good luck! nothing will persuade me to go and deal with crazy people.
Charles recently posted..Not All Cheaper Gas Is Worth It
She is a brave, brave woman! I wish her luck on that crazy day.
We’ve Friday penciled down for a visit to the hacienda. May even plant a fruit tree if feeling ambitious.
101 Centavos recently posted..Why The US Dollar May Rally in 2012
I so agree with you on H&M. The quality is not worth the cheap price. Not really my style either.
I need a space heater and a dishwasher this year. Hopefully, I can get those before Black Friday. I’d rather sleep in.
retirebyforty recently posted..TotallyMoney Carnival #44: Thanksgiving Edition
I am sure you can get a good dishawasher and a heater before the hoards of people line up in front of the stores. Good Luck!
Broken fingers and teeth? No thanks! I participated in one Black Friday at Fry’s. We spent the whole day waiting in line to get a cheap computer ($100). My friend who bought it had nothing but trouble with it. Wasn’t worth it, but it was an experience. Never again!
Buck Inspire recently posted..Top Panelist Takeaways from BWELA 2011 Part 2
Haha! You are funny. Somehow I cannot imagine you in a line to get a cheap computer. But a $100 computer raises a lot of questions. I bet it wasn’t MAC Pro.
I think the whole thing is crazy…
Robert @ The College Investor recently posted..Credit Card Abritrage 101
I nearly fell off my chair at the title. Too, too funny. Sadly the person that was trampled to death at Walmart almost two years ago was from my neighborhood and it happened at my local Walmart! CRAZINESS.
Alas, I no longer shop, so no Black Friday shopping for meeeee.
Sandy @ yesiamcheap recently posted..Finance 101: Different Types of Mortgages
OMG this is horrible! I remebered that case when I was writing this post. Can you imagine this guy’s family? This is beyond tragic.
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I have never been out shopping on Black Friday (unless you count going to the drugstores in the afternoon with no lines)! As you said, it is much too dangerous, and it really shows us how important we think these items are to us.
They are just things, but we are willing to hurt and kill over them. It’s really sad.
Khaleef @ KNS Financial recently posted..How To Reduce Fuel Consumption By Avoiding These Bad Driving Habits
And look what happened this Black Friday. Violence! It seems that with every year violence is escalating. Not worth it, people!
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I didn’t go anywhere near those crazy people in the stores on Black Friday. I’m sticking to buying things online if I see any good deals, thank you.
Paula @ Afford Anything recently posted..Surprising Research Reveals How to Be Happier
I was so glad I stayed home especially after hearing about a woman in LA spraying somebody with a pepper spray. Embarassing and disgusting.
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