Last night, I sat down to plan my shopping strategy for this morning. After going out with the masses, here are a few things I noticed:
- There was no one hot item worth standing outside in the cold weather for.
- Stores are opening for their door busters earlier and earlier, but the door busters are garbage.
- This is the time of year people take advantage of the discounts to shop for themselves.
- Robes seem to be the gift to give right behind netbooks.
- As many black Fridays as I have been going to, many stores still have no idea how to manage a crowd.
- The wait to check out gets longer and longer every year.
- Shopping online is becoming more appealing as each year goes by.
Honestly, if the stores truly cared about the consumer and our spending dollar, they would spend more time making the shopping experience a good one. I am serious considering doing all of my shopping online from now on. Outside of having great black Friday battle stories to tell, I can not say I walk away with a ton of great deals anymore. Even still, I do enjoy seeing all the festive decorations and some people do try to be a little friendlier at this time of the year. So, I guess the insanity of standing in line for one bargain is worth it just to experience the festive holiday spirit.
+ - 4 comments
ABCcreativity - i am so intrigued by this. we don’t have black friday in canada and our thanksgiving was a month ago. but we do have a giant sale on boxing day, the day after christmas. everything that didn’t sell for christmas goes on sale – i stock up on art supplies (everything is at least 40% off at my favourite art supply store).
Sherry - We don’t have anything like your Black Friday here in Canada (for which I think I’m grateful!) and I like your observations. I suppose for certain big ticket items it might be worth all the hassle, but what I see is a huge commercialism in the whole thing. I’ve reached a point where I like giving handmade, thinking more about who the gift is for (and not the gift) and spending within budget. With my children being older now that also makes it a whole lot easier!
Love this self portrait!
Chookooloonks - I came to that conclusion several years ago: starting on Thanksgiving Day, I don’t set foot in any mall until after January. I do all my shopping online, or at independent, out-of-the-way boutiques. The crazy just makes me crazy.
And Happy belated Thanksgiving, friend.
K.
Larry Voss - You must be shopping in the wrong place. I got up at 4 AM on Black Friday and bagged a new washer and dryer for my family. I saved $800 off the best price I could find over the last four weeks. That pays for Christmas. [am I allowed to say Christmas?]
Take care,
Larry