Black Friday: Shop 'Til Ya Drop or Avoid like the Plague?

I avoid it like the plague!
I refuse to be sucked into the retailer frenzy and react to the bait all season.
I scoff at doorbusters, midnight madness sales and the retail coupons in general.
I like a good deal as much as anyone but I don't think there's any place out there giving such amazing deals that you can't match/beat them with common sense and in a much less chaotic atmosphere.

So, count me OUT on Black Friday. It's all hype and I hate crowds.

AVOID! ;) I can shop through 'my marketplace' online and get the specials plus earn up to 15% back just for shopping. And most online shopping offers free shipping right now

Wow...I must be lucky to live in a small city! There are about 60,000 people where I live and Black Friday is never very bad. My mom and I always have a blast going out!

Avoid. Like. The. Plague.

Avoid like the plague - ever since a store worker in my area was trampled to death by a surge of shoppers 2 yrs. ago - I refuse to be part of the frenzy :(

I have to admit that I enjoy it! I love to go out on Black Friday. I think it's a lot of fun. My girlfriend and I plan out our plan of attack and hit the stores like a military invasion! LOL While our husbands and children sleep, we are actually looking forward to our 'girlfriend event' on Friday.

I love to go out on Black Friday. I think it's a lot of fun. My mom, SIL and I go out to do some shopping at 5 am then get breakfast and do more shopping. Last year we were out from 5am until 8pm and I was 9 months pregnant! I literally shopped until I dropped! :)

It's actually not even like it used to be years ago (at least where I live). Stores started opening on Thanksgiving and earlier on Black Friday to prevent injuries like there has been in the past. If you've never done it, I say do it at least once.

As I am in retail, AVOID like the plague. A) there is nothing I need so desperatly that I have to join a mob of people B) there will be sales all season becasue the retail biz has not gotten back into fiscal shape C) I feel for the poor sales people that have to deal with often rude, unappreciative people and yea they chose that job but really would anyone tryuly choose retail if there was a better option out there? C) That poor security guard tampeled to death at Walmart for him alone I refuse and mostly because I am over the WANT WANT WANT of the season and just want to deal with the NEED and that is my family, my friends and others I would like to help who have less than us. Even though I am in retail I would be the first person to join a petition to boycott it in the future. If I see one more ad for Kohl's opening at 3am. Walmart open all day Thanksgiving and sale starts at midnight and 5 am, I will scream.

To me, there is nothing enjoyable about the Black Friday rush- crowds, agendas, "plan" of attack... no thanks. The hubs and I enlisted my BIL and his girlfriend to babysit a couple of weeks ago, went out to dinner and did our shopping leisurely on a Friday night. It's done and we got a date night out of the deal too!

Last year I went out and shopped on black Friday and was able to get gifts for my 4 brothers, 2 sister in laws, one girlfriend in law, one niece, and both of my parents. I spent about $100 for everyone. It was great!
I will be braving Black Friday again this year, last year the mall wasn't really that bad! Going to Walmart or Toys R Us however would be absolute hell, I have stupidly done that and it did not work out very well.
My husband and I go through everyone's list, look at all the ads and then work out a plan of attack for me, since he stays home with the boys. The only difference this year is taht I am 34 weeks prego, so I may be moving a bit slower!

Love it - I don't even think the deals are that great and most of my shopping is done and wrapped by then anyway. It's just a tradition started when I had true purpose -seeking the hottest toys of the year - so it has sentimental value for me. I think because I'm not usually hoping to score anything so I don't have to line up outside and I don't necessarily have to be there when the doors open (although I'll still do that if there's something needed for the grandkids!), it's just a pretty relaxed day of extended shopping where I can just follow my whim and most things I buy are for me!

avoid avoid avoid! besides, i'm done shopping, just got all my decorations up, gifts are wrapped and under the tree, santa stuff is in the attic - nothing left to shop for :)

Avoid like the plague- I hate lines and crowds, rude people, unhappy checkout clerks, and limited amounts of the stuff you want. I went and did the Best Buy early morning garbage about 8 years ago -- what a mistake -- stood out in the NJ morning COLD for an hour or two and was so far back in line that anything that was a super sale was sold out! Just not fun!

I loathe shopping period, so I am definately not getting up before dawn to go do it! Not worth saving a few bucks, as far as I'm concerned.

I admit I enjoy it.

But you have to go out with an open mind and with a bunch of friends. Makes it fun and not a disappointment. I go with the mindset, if I can get a deal great if not its not meant to be. I don't go in throwing elbows or pushing anyone. I also avoid that type of crowd....one of the reasons I stay away from Walmart. I think its more about the experience with my sister, SIL, and a couple friends.

I find nothing appealing about getting up early in the morning to fight for parking, smell morning breath and stinky ladies restrooms.
The commercialism tactics they use to get people to shop the day after Thanksgiving is insulting. But like with any religion, it has it's cult following. You can recognize them, most have on no makeup and their hair is in a ponytail ;)

AVOID!!! you can get all the same deals online. I have friends that get up at 3am to stand in line. Never in a million years would I do that for anything. They ask me every year and every year I just laugh.....

I've never done it and I don't think I ever will...I'm all about cyber Mondays!

I'm in the avoid like the plague category but I think that "shopping warfare" mentality definitely appeals to some and I'm glad the uber-shoppers can get it out of their systems once a year.

My 'soon to be' SIL and MIL have already collected everyone's wish lists and jumped on every bit of friday special leaks that have been on the internet over the last few weeks. I'm highly amused with the emails I've received from them on their shopping strategies. Good Luck to all the women who will be braving the shopping malls in Springfield IL, you are going to need it if you'll be shopping next to those two!

despite the savings are AWESOME! i worked at wal-mart on a black friday once, and let's just say I STAY AWAY!, my husband and i are going tree shopping either tonight or saturday

people are rude they are out of half the stuff you want ne ways, and fights break out, if you have a popular item you have to literally guard it with your life so someone doesn't take it from your basket........ugh....so commercialized! Why does it have to be the day after thanksgiving ne ways....some people (like me) are broke from thanksgiving meals and prep's that i dont' have the money to spend on black friday ne ways...if a deal is really a GOOD deal...why can't it be through the christmas shopping season, instead of ONE stinking day.

to sum it up.....
i stay away lol

i'm crowd-phobic so definitely in the 'avoid like the plague' group. the deals do look terrific and i'm so cheap i squeak, but it's not worth it to me.
khairete
S. the grinch

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Avoid it :)

Last year & this year I've seen enough of the Black Friday ads that I don't want to see a sales ad for a looong time!!

The company I work for is a site that posts good deals for things year round. When Black Friday Season rolls around, we work overtime like crazy when the "leaked" ads come out - writing up each deal from ads to post on the site & our app. I've worked 114 overtime hours since Nov 5, with no day completely off!! ahhhhh!!! lol (money's good tho! ha!)

So yeah, I shop online if I want to look for something. I am going to be checking tomorrow online for a few of my daughter's Christmas gifts to see if I can get a discount. If not, I'll try again on Cyber Monday :)

If you are interested, this is the site I'm talking about: http://dealnews.com/black-friday.html

And the app (iPhone & Android): http://dealnews.com/black-friday-iphone-app.html

Unless it is a matter of life and death, I will not set foot in a store before Sunday. I did it one year, and hated every second of it, and I even waited until later in the day thinking the worse of the crowing would be over, but I was wrong.

Avoid like the plague - too many nutty people out there who flip out over parking and fighting over items. No thanks!

stay home do christmas decorations. Unfortunatly though there is two things at walmart from 5 to 11 i really need to get for that price because we are really set on a budget so i will be doing that and than coming home

I always go out on Black Friday! I love it. I go more to people watch than for the bargains any more. My kids had to always stay home when they were little. Now 5 out of 6 of them will be going to the early sales. That includes my DD who just had a baby! We live in a smaller town and while people may crowd, I don't see people getting mad over not getting the 1 item that they had to have very often. If you go out with the idea that if 'it's' gone, you weren't supposed to get it at that price it can be fun!

Thanksgiving is about family. We don't live close to them, so we either visit or are visited by family. So, the question is, what does the FAMILY want to do. If its a shopping marathon, then we go for it, if not, we enjoy spending time just hanging out or working on a project (this year its going to be family pictures). Thanksgiving looses its meaning if you just focus on shopping to the exclusion of more meaningful things.

A majority of the answers were to avoid it....SO WHO ARE ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE LINES??!!

No way you can get me out on a Black Friday, my black fridays are days when stores have sale not on the black friday day, people are crazy rude to get bargains, crowded and by the time to get there, the real deals are gone, just not worth it.

I don't get into the hype of things electronics why bother I don't need them if I do i'll get it later...However this will be my 3rd yr going to Walmart to get Toys,clothing,slippers,pjs,hoodies,maybe a few DVD's that are really cheap other than that I don't need much of anything else..I typically leave after 5 am still have what I need never left empty handed...Most go for the BIG ticketed items anyway then their off to another store..
It's a chance for me to get out without the kiddos in tow get some items on my list & things that they need for winter

I'm already done with my shopping I'm so glad all the main stores had great deals before black friday this year plus I saved more now than I would if I waited till then.

I am not feeling it this year. I have done it for the past 5 years and really l enjoyed it but just don't want to deal this year. Plus-I think the retailers are really diluting the incentive to get out there on BF with all the deals they offer prior to it and also online. Just no good reason to go now.

Avoid Like the Plague!

There is no deal that is worth it to me to give up precious sleep or to be among those crowds. Plus I like hanging out in my jammies 'til late, eating leftovers, and scouring internet deals where I can - it almost seems equivalent to the deals that are available in-store, no? (with Ebates and coupon codes and sales) But I can see where some enjoy the "sport of it". Definitely not me though!

Happy Thanksgiving, Mama!

I am def like your SIL, i have it mapped out where I will be, but this year will be the first time i am going to The childrens place, and am not sure of what their sales will be like.... So we will see, but yes, i like the rush, and experience of it, i like shopping anyway, so...

Heck no on getting up at 4 a.m. The deals are not that spectacular and BTW most of the price points are still effective in the system for a few more hours once you check out. Besides you get better deals waiting for the coupons the retailers send you online and in the snail mail....:)

I've gone a few times. One year I saved over 75% off my total bill. I bought large ticket items on super sale, had coupons, got rebates, and used my credit card for additional savings. So it really depends on what you need to buy and whether or not it's on sale. You also have to be willing to head out at 3:00 am to make it worth it.

Are we related - that sounds like my SIL, too! LOL!

I've only shopped on Black Friday one time - last year I stopped at Lowe's on my way to work and picked up some poinsettias that were on sale!

A few years back, son got up and went into Sears to buy a tree - dropped it on mom's back porch and was probably back to sleep by the time I was heading to work!

IF there are deals that I need then I plan my attack like a military invasion....started at Toys R Us last year at midnight and was finished with all my shopping and in bed by 7am......if there isn't anything that I need in the sale papers then I spend the day decorating.....I don't do much shopping online cause I like to feel the quality of what I am buying (clothes, bedding, etc.) though I can shop the store then buy the item online if I need to

Avoid like the plague.

I have a friend who has to work that Friday at 8am, but is planning on not going to sleep Thursday night and doing all her shopping until she has to be to work. CCCRRRRAAAZZZYYYYYY! I fall into the avoid it like a plague category but this year we *might* go to 1 store for a smokin deal. But it would be only 1 store and only 1 item...lol so I am wondering, is it even worth it? =)

Avoid! I am not big on shopping to begin with and then you add in crazy people rushing and shoving and crying and yelling and fighting....not for me. Plus, I don't like crowds...they make me nervous. I guess I do not enjoy being one of the herd.

I like to stay home and be glad l am not part of the insanity. I appreciate a good bargain, but it's gone too commercial and earlier and earlier to be the crush of people. Never used to be like this. I tend to think there's a problem with this mindset. If no one got up to go shopping...now even 'invaded' ThanksGIVING day....the stores would take notice and knock it off. It's pathetic they're preying on the consumers.

I prefer to shop from the comfort of my own home :)

Around here, it can be dangerous. Stupid people are out at midnight and 4 a.m. I avoid it like the plague. There aren't enough good deals in the world for me to miss sleep, stand in lines in the cold and race for merchandise.

My 13-year-old daughter, however, loves to shop and thinks it sounds like fun. Maybe someday someone will take her out there for me!

AVOID!! My husband goes though :o). haha...he can do it faster and without as much hesitation as I do, plus he goes for what is on the list. And I sleep in with the kiddo's! This year he is going to Sears. Otherwise, we only need 2-3 more toys for each kid and we are DONE!! Never been done this early, but I'm excited. Even my nieces are taken care of. And my husband is getting two of his gifts from Sears...good thing he knows we are Santa!!!

I've Never participated in it! I Swear tho, one year I will be one of those crazy people :-) lol

I look at the ads and if there is a sale on something I'm *planning on buying anyways* then I will go to that store, but not super early (usually not til 7-8). I don't just buy to buy b/c it's a good deal. I will look through the ads for ideas for someone if I don't already know what I'm getting them.

I'm already done buying for my ODS, and only need maybe 1-2 more small things for YDS. My DH only wants an exhaust system for his motorcycle, so that's easy since he has to get it. I'm done for one of my SIL's. I've even gotten a few things for myself;) I need to shop for the rest of the fam, but it's like pulling teeth trying to get a list from them before a week before Christmas:-/

I semi-avoid it like the plague. I don't like the crowds, especially when they get surly. I don't like not finding a parking space in a ten-acre lot. (On the other hand, the people-watching is great.) And my goal is to have most Christmas gifts already taken care of by this time, so my major shopping is done.

But if I need something fast, I will try to run in and run out very early in the morning. Last year it was picture frames - and not until I had taken the pictures did I know what sort of frames I needed (the photographs were for Christmas presents, and they had been taken only the day before). I was home by 10 a.m. Ahhhh!

I never go to an actual store.... for that. Hate the crowds and parking hassles and long lines.

I have already done, all my holiday shopping... getting things on good sale prices and events.
I hate.... shopping in stores.... during holiday season... and do everything... online.
Amazon + free shipping

all the best,
Susan

I am right there with you. I'm not willing to die for the $5 TV at Walmart! All I picture on Black Friday are the news casts of people getting trampled when the stores open. Eh, I'm good! I try to get as much of my shopping done before Thanksgiving...and any left overs I'll try to get online. I hate the Christmas crowds.

I shop till my fingers drop, but mostly on cyber monday :) Huzzah for amazon.com. My soon to be SIL is like yours... she starts out at Oh-Dark-Thirty. It's one of her favorite days of the year. I love watching the joy and sparkle she gets even talking about black friday. <grin> To each their own!

((At age 9 we made the mistake of trying to drive from LA to Misson Viejo. 6 hours on I5... including 2 pizza deliveries on the freeway and riding bikes/playing hopscotch with other kids in between the lanes on the parkinglot....er...freeway.... taught me not to leave the house on black friday.

I hate it, though I have never shopped on black friday, I work retail and cant stand all the fuss. There is nothing I need that bad.