Who is going shopping on "Black Friday?"

[judy]

I never did the day after Thanksgiving shopping, but so many people do.
I don't really know why - I would guess there are fabulous sales.

Is anyone going to tackle the crowds this year?

[Gina]

Nope I am with you Judy on this one. I never ventured out it is crazy. I am sure there are lots of good sales out there. Especially this year with the economy so bad.

[gja1000]

Sometimes we go, sometimes we don't. It kinda depends on what we are in the market for. We have stayed up till midnight and gone to the mall that opened at 12:01. It was fun, but I didnt' last long. The good thing was the crowds were horrible, but busy, but not horrible. I think we'll probably do it this year too.

[Marilyn]

Nope, not me, never have. I've heard that this year, the retailers and manufacturers will not be offering their best sales the day after Thanksgiving. There will be sales, but on more of the off brand stuff. The big sales will come closer to Christmas when they begin to panic because sales are down this year and try to capture as much of the business as they can.

We buy most of our presents online, and will probably be on the computer on Thursday and Friday seeing what sales the online stores have to offer.

Last year, I was parked at Target, I think it was Christmas Eve, was first in line when the store opened, and ran to electronics as soon as they unlocked the door to exchange an Xbox 360 that I had bought for a different model. I found out I'd bought the wrong one. That's the only time I can remember running to beat people to a product. I had called ahead and they had one of what I needed and it was a very popular item. While they were processing my transaction, others came up asking for it, and another couple was very happy to get the one I was returning. I felt so victorious and made my then future son-in-law very happy on Christmas morning. Funny what we glory in, isn't it.

[2tiredmom]

I went once will not do that again. People are so RUDE. Taking things from other people. Not a nice day. I'll be home putting up the Christmas tree with my kids.

[Janet]

I went once with my best friend, her daughter, sister and sister-in-law. We had the best time. I don't even like to shop but I had a blast. We got up I think around 4 AM and headed to the stores in another city with all our ads with us.

They had great sales and it was when Ricky was really young so we all got great deals on toys and things like that for our kids. We didn't get home until after 10:00 that night.
But our vehciles were loaded.

[DianaB]

We only have a small JC Penney's store and Wal-mart that are near enough to get the specials unless we want to drive 100 miles so I'll be staying home. It's just not worth it to me. We went to Wal-mart years ago and, we did get some good buys, but it was soooo crowded, people were rude, and you couldn't get through the aisles.

[Ponyup]

We've been going the last couple years just because there is nothing to do at my in-laws. It hasn't been too bad, but maybe that's because we're not really looking for anything. Usually we're just giving them ideas for things to get us. I usually have all my shopping done by this time of year anyway & this year is no different. I finished up things yesterday except my one aunt & grandma, but I know what they are getting & where to get it. I also have to order my hubby a few things off amazon. But then i'm done & free to enjoy the holiday season.

[Tiramisu]

I've never tried it and probably never will. I'm an impulse shopper and would definitely be pressured into buying TOO much with the lower prices. The last two years, I have taken MIL to one stand-alone clothing store to help her shop for the kids, but it's never crowded.

[HALEY]

I'm going need those specials this year, minds well i'm off that day...

[judy]

Poor Haley! I can't imagine going to a toy store that day. Wear boxing clubs.

[HALEY]

Poor Haley! I can't imagine going to a toy store that day. Wear boxing clubs.

now i have to look for a 19 inch tv too, my tv is shot in my bedroom it keep buzzing, oh well i got that tv when i was in college some 19 years ago, i got my money out of it at least... it was an RCA tv its so old you can't even hook a DVD player to it... haaaaa... LOL

[Nina]

I never go because I can't handle the crowds. My daughters sometimes go, and they said people actually fight over things. Not for me lol

[Dobie]

I definately avoid the stores the weekend after Thanksgiving! Over the past few years, I've tried to do as much shopping as possible on line.

[HALEY]

its funny the last time i went i was pregnant and miserable... everyone stayed out of my way !!!

[DianaB]

I got my Wal-mart sale ad for Friday and they have a lot of things that are a good buy. I'd love to get the Cricut Expression and that's a really good price for one!!! I'm wondering if I can talk someone who's already going into getting one for me!!!!! Hmmmm.......I'll have to check with my family!!!!!

[donna1990]

NOT ME!!!!! Some stores open at 4AM.

[judy]

now i have to look for a 19 inch tv too, my tv is shot in my bedroom it keep buzzing, oh well i got that tv when i was in college some 19 years ago, i got my money out of it at least... it was an RCA tv its so old you can't even hook a DVD player to it... haaaaa... LOL


I got a 19" flat screen, LED, HDTV in Walmart about a month ago for about $225.
I bet they're on sale for even less now. It's a Panasonic and is just fine.

[Shada]

I went one year and swore never again.
It was horrrible!!!! People were shoulder to shoulder...

wellI got talked into it!!!!!!!!!!! A friend is on her way over and we are going out of town shopping on Black Friday!!! I just know it is going to be horrible again. I don't know why I let myself get talked into this. My shopping is darn near done, no real reason to get out on this day of wild people.

Wish me luck... only good thing about it is that I will get a good meal out of it.

DEEP BREATH here... it will be ok... egads, I hate crowds!!!!!!

[Janet]

I was thinking of going to Wal Mart this morning, but checked online to see if the Frankfort store had the items. I was looking at the Digital Picture Frames, 8" for $39....great price and so any of you know if the Garmin nuvi 200 is any good? They are $97. They are probably gone now, plus online the prices were higher.

[gja1000]

Well, I WENT at MIDNIGHT!!! We went to the outlet mall that opened at midnight. It was a MADHOUSE - but a lot of fun. We were in the first group to get into the Coach store - it was WALL TO WALL PEOPLE! OMG! But we were able to grab a very cute purse for my granddaughter at 70% off. Everything in the store was 30-70% off, pretty good!

When I left the mall at about 3:00 people were still lined up to get in there! They had to have lots of merchandise, because it was amazing at the amount of purses going out that door!!!

My daughter got some great deals on things at Gymboree - a kids clothes store. My granddaughter got some cute clothes at the Gap, we all got some other things for self and gifts.

There were waaaaay more people there than I expected!! And the lines to check out were so long! But most stores had lots of registers open and it didn't take to long to get out.

I came home and slept for a few hours, Granddaughter and I are going to another mall for a while today. I'll be dead by afternoon.

[DianaB]

My son and daughter-in-law were here visiting last night until 1:30 and then she was getting up and driving to a nearby town so she could be there by 5:00. She was going to pick up a few things at Wal-mart for me. She went with her SIL. I bet that she's dead tired!! I'm home with the kids!!!

[Gina]

Nope!! I slept late till 9:30 and it felt wonderful. I will venture out later. I do need a dryer and a new Christmas tree but I was to lazy to wake up at 3 A.M.

[highlans]

I never did the day after Thanksgiving shopping, but so many people do.
I don't really know why - I would guess there are fabulous sales.

Is anyone going to tackle the crowds this year?

Why Black Friday??

[donna1990]

Why do they call it Black Fri.

[Janet]

If I remember right...some of the stores are operating in the 'red' (in debt), but on this day, the day after Thanksgiving when everyone is out and shopping for the best deals, it puts the stores back in the 'black' and make more of a profit.


Isn't this right ladies???? I'm sure someone could explain it better...lol

[2tiredmom]

Yes Janet, Your memory is still working Congrats. This is the time of year that they make the most money. And Christmas eve.

[Ponyup]

We went. It wasn't really a lot of fun. We go to this town about an hour a way from my in-laws house. I got car sick on the ride there. Then we went to Bed Bath & Beyond. It was crowded but not too bad. I took Logan in with us in a carrier, everyone loved him. Then we went to target. I took Logan with & got kicked out. The lady was pretty rude about it & followed me to make sure I left. It was just an absolute mad house. It's usually not that crowded down there, but this year was just crazy.

[donna1990]

We went. It wasn't really a lot of fun. We go to this town about an hour a way from my in-laws house. I got car sick on the ride there. Then we went to Bed Bath & Beyond. It was crowded but not too bad. I took Logan in with us in a carrier, everyone loved him. Then we went to target. I took Logan with & got kicked out. The lady was pretty rude about it & followed me to make sure I left. It was just an absolute mad house. It's usually not that crowded down there, but this year was just crazy.

I can't believe you go kicked out.

Janet, thanks for telling me, I guess I never paid attention before.

[judy]

Janet,
The Garmin 250 is good. I don't know about the 200, but if it talks to you as well as showing the directions, it will be fine. The only thing is that you can't use the radio because the Garmin's volume isn't loud enough. I run mine through the radio and transfer audiobooks or music onto it's mp3. The music stops and the spoken directions are given, then the music goes back on. Check out the 200 for that feature, otherwise it's pretty boring driving without the radio.

[Ponyup]

I can't believe you go kicked out.

Janet, thanks for telling me, I guess I never paid attention before.

Targets are sketchy. Sometimes it's fine sometimes it's not. I think it depends how crowded they are.

[Janet]

Janet,
The Garmin 250 is good. I don't know about the 200, but if it talks to you as well as showing the directions, it will be fine. The only thing is that you can't use the radio because the Garmin's volume isn't loud enough. I run mine through the radio and transfer audiobooks or music onto it's mp3. The music stops and the spoken directions are given, then the music goes back on. Check out the 200 for that feature, otherwise it's pretty boring driving without the radio.

Thanks Judy. I do save all year in a Christmas Club so I'll have money to buy gifts, but it will depend on how much more a 250 costs than a 200. I'll be checking around for sure. I knew you'd be able to tell me something. The 200 does talk, the ad says, but I'll make sure I speak with a salesman too.

[Janet]

If the Target was a Super Target then they don't allow dogs or pets because of the grocery store. Dumb to me...but hey...they didn't ask me...LOL

[Ponyup]

If the Target was a Super Target then they don't allow dogs or pets because of the grocery store. Dumb to me...but hey...they didn't ask me...LOL

It wasn't a super target. I know any place that sells food is questionable so I never even attempt those. This one was just the regular old style target, but I still got booted.