If something I wanted to purchase for myself or someone else that fits in my budget is on sale for a great price, I'll get it. But I won't go into a store where I know the shopping would be more emotional than anything and could potentially create a problem for me financially.
I tend not to do black friday in big mall-like stores because I don't like to shop with the crowds and there's rarely anything worth it to get up and go in at 3, 4, or 5am. I have done it in the past however, and there's a possibility I'll do it this year, b/c Target has a couple things for great prices that I would like. But, I won't be there at 4am, I'll likely be there at 6-8pm instead. And I know exactly what I want, and don't plan on buying anything else.
The only other place I love going to that day is a local bookstore that has a "customer appreciation" sale that day of 55% off - that is worth getting up early and heading over for their 9am start.
I absolutely do black friday. But only with a plan and a strict budget. I have a list ahead of time for what I plan to buy, and for whom. I only get those items, no impulse purchases allowed, no matter how great. And I try to do as much of it online as possible.
DealExtreme is a great place for LED flashlights and magnets, among other things. Their prices are great and I've always been satisfied with the quality. They are in Hong Kong and shipping is, literally, on the slow boat from China (two to three weeks minimum), but if you can wait for your items and do your research beforehand, you can get some great deals.
The one thing that might have tempted me - because I tried to get it last year and it was sold out everywhere - I bought it this week. The rest of my shopping will be little things. I'm looking forward to getting the shopping done early and just enjoying the season and the 3 F's (food family & friends).
I do black Fridays, if the prices are right. I normally find the stores that do giveaways. In the past, some stores would give away $10 giftcards, Id go with my family and get something decent (4 people X $10 = something we can all use that's decent)(surprised stores would honor it!)
Last year I did not go since there were no real good sales that I wanted to spend money on.
I noticed too that some stores did giveaways, like Christmas ornaments or free samples. If you can find a decent mall w/ a few stores, it works better then having all your eggs in 1 basket.
I agree w/ Dory.. you can only put up with people for so long, but my Black Friday is for stuff for me, and not for Christmas shopping anyway, so there's no stress about needing to get gifts for people.
We will do it if there is something that we need. We check the leaked BF ads ahead of time, compare to online prices, and if its still a worthwhile deal with significant savings we give it a shot.
When did this start, anyway? No! I detest crowds & don't find it at all fun & hung around malls during the holiday season only because I was WORKING there!
I do black friday normally in the afternoon. I end up going out sometime during the day, but not necessarily first thing in the morning, and typically not to get stuff for presents, but instead for gadgets for myself.
I usually go on a long bike ride or hike; this year I think I'll be snowboarding. The stress of the crowds and trying to find some amazing deal just isn't worth it.
I used to work retail and was on the clock for several Black Fridays. That's part of the reason I do not shop on Black Friday. Also, I never really see any deals so awesome that it's worth getting up early (or staying up from the night before), waiting in line, fighting the crowds, etc. I prefer to Christmas shop on random weeknights about an hour or two before closing when there are a LOT fewer people in the stores. I also do a fair amount of my Christmas shopping online (and I don't usually do that on Black Friday either). After Thanksgiving with my relatives and my in-laws I just make the next day the most relaxing it can possibly be!
One thing to keep in mind about DX...it can take a while to get your goods. If you are planning on buying items for Christmas, it might already be too late. In my experience, figure a minimum of 2-4 weeks to receive your goods. DX is not for the impatient or "instant gratification" types.
but mostly for entertainment purposes! My sister and I sneak out in the wee hours of the morning for a warm cup of Starbucks and then giggle in our car watching endless people stand in line wrapped around department stores fighting for carts. We do snag a couple good buys throughout the morning but nothing is ever worth the long lines!!
after working in a major mall for a number of years, I don't go anywhere near one on Black Friday. Too many crazy people not even realizing how rude and pushy they're being.
Black Fridays are usually more disappointing to me due to the crowds and stores running out of stock. But once in a while I strike gold and that's why I keep participating. This year I'll try to do more online buying.
I do Black Friday if I am looking to buy certain things that go on mega-sale on Black Friday. For instance, I'm "doing" it this year because I need a large external hard drive and I know from the internets that those will be much cheaper then than they are now. Last year, I needed a good winter coat and went for the same reason.
If you're going out just to see what's around (I've done this in past years), it's a huge waste of money, time and energy. Much better to spend the morning sleeping off the carb hangover from the day before.
i do shop black friday, but i don't go out. i stick to online shopping only. i hit all the websites at midnight, when most of them start their BF sales. if nothing on my shopping list is on sale, i don't buy that day.
I think Black Friday is just another ploy to get people to buy more 'stuff', and stuff they don't need. I often hear "well I got a great deal", but even if you 'save' $40 on a $50 item, you are still out the $40. The question is... Do you really need a brand new ______?
If something I wanted to purchase for myself or someone else that fits in my budget is on sale for a great price, I'll get it. But I won't go into a store where I know the shopping would be more emotional than anything and could potentially create a problem for me financially.
I tend not to do black friday in big mall-like stores because I don't like to shop with the crowds and there's rarely anything worth it to get up and go in at 3, 4, or 5am. I have done it in the past however, and there's a possibility I'll do it this year, b/c Target has a couple things for great prices that I would like. But, I won't be there at 4am, I'll likely be there at 6-8pm instead. And I know exactly what I want, and don't plan on buying anything else.
The only other place I love going to that day is a local bookstore that has a "customer appreciation" sale that day of 55% off - that is worth getting up early and heading over for their 9am start.
I absolutely do black friday. But only with a plan and a strict budget. I have a list ahead of time for what I plan to buy, and for whom. I only get those items, no impulse purchases allowed, no matter how great. And I try to do as much of it online as possible.
DealExtreme is a great place for LED flashlights and magnets, among other things. Their prices are great and I've always been satisfied with the quality. They are in Hong Kong and shipping is, literally, on the slow boat from China (two to three weeks minimum), but if you can wait for your items and do your research beforehand, you can get some great deals.
The one thing that might have tempted me - because I tried to get it last year and it was sold out everywhere - I bought it this week. The rest of my shopping will be little things. I'm looking forward to getting the shopping done early and just enjoying the season and the 3 F's (food family & friends).
I do black Fridays, if the prices are right. I normally find the stores that do giveaways. In the past, some stores would give away $10 giftcards, Id go with my family and get something decent (4 people X $10 = something we can all use that's decent)(surprised stores would honor it!)
Last year I did not go since there were no real good sales that I wanted to spend money on.
I noticed too that some stores did giveaways, like Christmas ornaments or free samples. If you can find a decent mall w/ a few stores, it works better then having all your eggs in 1 basket.
I agree w/ Dory.. you can only put up with people for so long, but my Black Friday is for stuff for me, and not for Christmas shopping anyway, so there's no stress about needing to get gifts for people.
We will do it if there is something that we need. We check the leaked BF ads ahead of time, compare to online prices, and if its still a worthwhile deal with significant savings we give it a shot.
I have been shopping black friday for the last 4 years. I try to do most of my shopping online beginning on thanksgiving day at 12 am.
But, I absolutely will NOT go NEAR best buy. I have boycotted them for 2 years due to Black Friday shenannigans in their stores 3 years ago.
When did this start, anyway? No! I detest crowds & don't find it at all fun & hung around malls during the holiday season only because I was WORKING there!
I do black friday normally in the afternoon. I end up going out sometime during the day, but not necessarily first thing in the morning, and typically not to get stuff for presents, but instead for gadgets for myself.
I usually go on a long bike ride or hike; this year I think I'll be snowboarding. The stress of the crowds and trying to find some amazing deal just isn't worth it.
I used to work retail and was on the clock for several Black Fridays. That's part of the reason I do not shop on Black Friday. Also, I never really see any deals so awesome that it's worth getting up early (or staying up from the night before), waiting in line, fighting the crowds, etc. I prefer to Christmas shop on random weeknights about an hour or two before closing when there are a LOT fewer people in the stores. I also do a fair amount of my Christmas shopping online (and I don't usually do that on Black Friday either). After Thanksgiving with my relatives and my in-laws I just make the next day the most relaxing it can possibly be!
One thing to keep in mind about DX...it can take a while to get your goods. If you are planning on buying items for Christmas, it might already be too late. In my experience, figure a minimum of 2-4 weeks to receive your goods. DX is not for the impatient or "instant gratification" types.
-Robert
I've done Black Friday for years. Not as crazy as my mom was, but I also only buy things that are a great deal, and were already on my list.
but mostly for entertainment purposes! My sister and I sneak out in the wee hours of the morning for a warm cup of Starbucks and then giggle in our car watching endless people stand in line wrapped around department stores fighting for carts. We do snag a couple good buys throughout the morning but nothing is ever worth the long lines!!
I hate crowds and have no desire to struggle with sale mad shoppers. I prefer to find something fun to do with my family that is not about buying.
after working in a major mall for a number of years, I don't go anywhere near one on Black Friday. Too many crazy people not even realizing how rude and pushy they're being.
Black Fridays are usually more disappointing to me due to the crowds and stores running out of stock. But once in a while I strike gold and that's why I keep participating. This year I'll try to do more online buying.
I do Black Friday if I am looking to buy certain things that go on mega-sale on Black Friday. For instance, I'm "doing" it this year because I need a large external hard drive and I know from the internets that those will be much cheaper then than they are now. Last year, I needed a good winter coat and went for the same reason.
If you're going out just to see what's around (I've done this in past years), it's a huge waste of money, time and energy. Much better to spend the morning sleeping off the carb hangover from the day before.
I don't usually do Black Friday. I can't deal with the crowds. But I might do it this year. I need a new computer!
Just depends on various store offerings each year. @wisebread #WBAsk
i do shop black friday, but i don't go out. i stick to online shopping only. i hit all the websites at midnight, when most of them start their BF sales. if nothing on my shopping list is on sale, i don't buy that day.
yup. they ship worldwide :D
Black Friday is also Buy Nothing Day, so no, I don't do Black Friday.
I think Black Friday is just another ploy to get people to buy more 'stuff', and stuff they don't need. I often hear "well I got a great deal", but even if you 'save' $40 on a $50 item, you are still out the $40. The question is... Do you really need a brand new ______?