who's braving the crowds on Black Friday?

[junebug]

i know i'm getting up at the crack of dawn to get a 46" sony bravia tv from Best Buy. and i'm scared, lol. i would like to do more shopping that day, but i don't know how DH feels about possibly getting stuck with the kids ALL DAY.

[Shawna]

I've only went to Best Buy once on Black Friday several years ago and will never do it ever again lol!! The lines were insane and wrapped up and down all the aisles, people were being pushy and rude.

The only place I might go is Walmart to pick up a few Toy Story items they'll have on sale. But I'm going to check with my stepmom first to see if she can get them for me, she's been working there part-time for the last several months but I'm not sure what their policy is for employees w/BF items though.

I'm also planning on getting a new Christmas tree at Kmart, but it's a 2 day sale and I plan on putting the tree I want on layaway ahead of time so all I have to do is have them price match and pick it up which I can do later in the day!

[MamaBee]

Eek... I hate crowds so I won't be going out unless I have too... I usually put up the Christmas Tree on the day after Thanksgiving.

[digideb]

Well, to me, BF is part of the Thanksgiving holiday! My Mom & I have shopped BF together every year since I was 3 or 4!(except one year I didn't get to come home from college, and 2 years ago, when she was recovering from her mastectomy.) We won't get to go together this year. But, I'll definitely be dragging DH out to go w/me! :)

[nun69]

I will be heading out because I like to hit up Old Navy {since the one near us is not very close by} because they always have a good sale on clothes and I might hit up Wal-Mart...depending and Fred Meyer {Love their sock sale!!!!]

[Sharon Kay]

...hmmm...will I? Nope...no way...can't BRIBE me well enough to get me out ... not even for a FREE laptop would I brave that madness! I have heard too many horror stories...and hearing about the Wal-Mart employee trampled to death over people wanting a sale?! I'll stay home and scrap...thank you very much.

Usually I have all my shopping done before Thanksgiving...but no one has given me a list yet ... so...they may get $ instead of what they would like. too bad so sad... I'm not fighting anyone for the last toy or a good sale...if I can't order it online...it's not happening that close to Christmas.

That being said...I have gotten I think everything for my youngest (14) all done...the 15yo ds almost ... the 20yo (will be 21 the week before Christmas) I have bought a mousepad and one other small thing... what he wants is way above our budget. ...if dh wants to shop he can...otherwise we might go out on a Friday and see if we can find things during the day...

I'll be spending most of my time at home scrapping...and printing...and assembling calenders...and enjoying the calm.... lol

[Nikki Epperson]

I'm usually a shopper, but this year I'll be working it. =(

Have fun to you that are getting to go though!

[Leila]

Hells no! I worked retail for way too many years to add to the current retail employees pain and suffering. Black Friday, while rough on shoppers, is 1000x rougher on the store staff. Add in the "only three per store" deals and forget it. We will be staying home and enjoying family time!

[Paula]

Not me. I just finished my Christmas shopping today!! Now I can relax and enjoy. =)

[Stacey42]

If I were going to be home in my small town I might hit Wal Mart, target & Coles, but we're going to be visiting my folks in Naples FL and there are just too many people there for me to deal with it. I do most of my shopping online anyway. There hasn't been anything only offered in stores so far to make consider going to one.

[gypsystar]

I *might* go. I'm usually not too into that kind of thing and I hate the idea of fighting to get things but there are a few items I'm interested in and I think they might be low key enough for me to get in and get out with out too much trouble.

I picked up a couple of toys 2 years ago on Black Friday and had no problem whatsoever. I didn't even get up at 4 am to get them lol! I went as soon as I woke up at 7. I'm kind of hoping for something similar this year....if I don't chicken out lol :p!

[4noisyboys]

No. I just don't like crowds, and I've done it in the past and it just brings out the worst in people.

[lauren grier]

helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllz no. that's what they invented the internet for. lol

[aggiefamily]

I am! I will be at my parent's house and will hit up their small town WalMart for a few items. I might venture on into Houston and go to Old Navy and Hobby Lobby but not sure yet.

[jaylensmom]

i was planning to go but it looks like we'll be traveling on Thanksgiving to my uncles house which is 3 hours away...not sure if I'll be up for an early morning after that long drive...I may go at 8am (heehee) instead of 5am this year...Not that I really need much but I like all the craziness...My sister and I have been going for years...

[junebug]

i'm really not looking forward to it. DH won't go, so he's making me, lol. i dont' know if i want to get up that early and hope to get in and get out. that day does bring out the worst in people. i may look into ordering online and shipping, or maybe there will be deals on Thanksgiving day?

[ColleenSwerb]

Hells no! I worked retail for way too many years to add to the current retail employees pain and suffering. Black Friday, while rough on shoppers, is 1000x rougher on the store staff. Add in the "only three per store" deals and forget it. We will be staying home and enjoying family time!

x2! I worked at one of the biggest outlet centers on the east coast for a long time, and I voluntarily go out on Black Friday or the rest of the weekend. Jordan's family however, LIVES for Black Friday, lol. And not even for presents, just to shop. So if we're in Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving I'll sometimes go with them, but only because I don't want to see like a debbie downer. We don't get to spend a lot of time with that side of the family, so I feel obligated to spend as much time with them as I can.

[junebug]

i love to shop, so i'll love the deals. but i just don't wanna get trampled lol. i doubt i'll get my but out of bed to be there at 5 am though, lol. we really do need a tv. i want one of those new led lcd ones, that are like credit card thin but WOW are they pricey!

[lauren grier]

there are always black friday deals online corey.. I dunno about that particular tv.. but yeh, tons.

[junebug]

i just don't think DH wants to wait for shipping, lol. me? i dont' care. he wants the giant 46" one. i'm happy with just 40". there are deals right now for 40" ones. we just won't have the money til wednesday. i'm just going to get what i want, when i want it, lol. maybe he should brave BF if he wants that big one so bad.

wait, forget that. he has PTSD. he'd probably seriously hurt people that pissed him off :D.

[Nettio]

i love to shop, so i'll love the deals. but i just don't wanna get trampled lol. i doubt i'll get my but out of bed to be there at 5 am though, lol. we really do need a tv. i want one of those new led lcd ones, that are like credit card thin but WOW are they pricey!

5 am might not even be early enough. I heard at some Best Buy's people start camping out at midnight. :blink: The tv would have to be like 50% off or more before I'd even consider dealing with that craziness.

Last year we went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and took advantage of their 20% off your entire order until 10am. We had two carts full of stuff, it was fantastic. Plus the store was actually less crowded than on a normal day.

This year there's a drill I want on sale at Home Depot but the sale is good through Monday I think so I'll probably just wait. Although I highly doubt there will be a mad frenzy at Home Depot. :D

[ColleenSwerb]

My cousins go to Best Buy at 2am to get in line. And they are never, EVER first.

[Angie4b1g]

That TV would have to be free before I'd show up there even at 5am, nevermind EARLIER. :D

[kscwgirl]

Buncha weenies. :p

I looooooooooooove Black Friday. Seriously. I do. LOVE. IT.

I'll be going to TRU about 2 am.. they open at midnight but I'm not that desperate. :D

Old Navy at 3 am.

Kohls at 4.

Target/Walmart at 5.

Yay!!!

I live for this. I love it. SO. Much.

[junebug]

i wish i could find someone to go with me! i tried to get my mom too but since she's broke she said no way plus she hates the crowds and the waiting, lol.

[Angie4b1g]

My time is worth something to me, and that something outweighs saving $20 on a VCR. :D

[junebug]

My time is worth something to me, and that something outweighs saving $20 on a VCR. :D

true :D

[kscwgirl]

I have to say.. I've been doing this for... 13 years now.. cuz I wasn't allowed to go with my mom & aunt until I was 21.. and.. you couldn't PAY me to set foot in Best Buy on BF. Could. Not. Pay. Me. No way in hell.

[Megan Turnidge]

I only went BF shopping one year... when DH and I were engaged. We were addicted to the 24 TV show and Best Buy was selling the DVD sets for SUPER cheap so we stayed up all night on Thanksgiving and then left at like 3 am (thinking that was early enough since BB didn't open until 5 am). The line outside the store was RIDICULOUS!!! If I had wanted any of the "big ticket" items, we definitely wouldn't have gotten it. So if you really want that TV, you might want to seriously leave your house at midnight. lol We had fun because we were engaged, but I don't think I could get DH to do it again. lol

Anyways, I'm done with Allie's gift shopping anyway and DH is hoping to get a really inexpensive used motorcycle from someone in town (we only have one car) so I won't be shopping for him unless the motorcycle falls through. We're most likely getting me a Canon Rebel XSi and a lens... and since the ONLY store we have in town is Walmart, we'll be ordering it online. There's no way I'm driving 2 hours to go BF shopping. ;)

[pewtertm]

Last year we drove by Best Buy on Thanksgiving Day around dinnertime (ie 5:30pm), and there were already people waiting out front. There were lawn chairs, some pup tents, and and several sleeping bags out there. That's one store you couldn't pay me to go into on Black Friday.

Target has a 32" flat screen on sale for like $250...I know DH wants one, but nah. Sales will continue throughout the season, and we don't really NEED one.

So I MIGHT get out and look around, but I'm not planning on anything at this point. I'm leaning towards Cyber Monday shopping (and waiting on Sweet Rewards here LOL)

[Julie Billingsley]

I will be braving the crowds... from the other side of the counter. My other job is working in retail clothing. So I'm working 10 hours that day. Sigh.

PLEASE be nice to your cashiers and sales people. :) When you go to check out and they ask you to donate to St. Jude's or whatever charity, don't give them a lesson in your finances or explainations. Just "no thank you" is fine or have a few one dollar bills to divide amongst your shopping that day. BELIEVE me, they don't want to ask you about donating money but they are required to. And smile at your cashier. I swear most of the time it looks like people are being tortured by shopping. If it hurts that bad, don't go! LOL And bring your patience and an ipod or whatever to pass away the time. :)

[ColleenSwerb]

x2 Julie, good luck!!

My other advise for those going shopping? READ THE SIGNS!! Lol! I can't tell you how many times we used to get screamed at for something ringing up wrong, only to have to go find it in the store, and then show them they were buying pants when the sign said shirts, or whatever.

[rachaelsscraps]

My mom & I have been going BF shopping for a few years now because it's kinda fun to us! But we don't get there as soon as the stores open though! We wait a little while, so by the time we get there all the really good stuff is already gone, but at least we don't risk death trying to get in the doors! lol!

[crystalbella77]

Maybe....I heard that some of the deals will be available online on Thursday, so I am gonna check them out. If not..then yes. WE have plans to just not sleep..my mom, sis and I. We will go to Toys R Us at 12 am then hit ON up at 3 and Khols at 4...lmbo Unless..I can get the same deals online on Thursday, but I have like zero money, so I gotta be frugal and I will tough it out I think. :)

[rach3975]

I like BF! I think it's fun. But I don't go hoping to get 1 specific thing that everyone wants. I just head out about 7, try to hit a toy store, an electronics store, and sometimes a clothing store, and enjoy being out BY MYSELF :) getting some good deals. Or maybe my enjoyment of BF is because my whole family is around to watch my kids, so I have the rare treat of disappearing guilt free. I'm home before lunch, then I hit the digi-scrapping BF sales.

[lovely1m]

I usually go shopping. This year, I have to be to work at 8am though so I might hit 1 store and maybe online. Not sure yet. Have to check out the sales first.

[wvasweetness]

Yes! I can't wait!

[Darcy Baldwin]

I make it a point to NEVER shop on BF. Working in retail for so long ruined it for me.

[Sarah8914]

No WAY!

but DH goes! We get a paper and look through all the ads and if there is anything we want, he'll get it! :)

[junebug]

I will be braving the crowds... from the other side of the counter. My other job is working in retail clothing. So I'm working 10 hours that day. Sigh.

PLEASE be nice to your cashiers and sales people. :) When you go to check out and they ask you to donate to St. Jude's or whatever charity, don't give them a lesson in your finances or explainations. Just "no thank you" is fine or have a few one dollar bills to divide amongst your shopping that day. BELIEVE me, they don't want to ask you about donating money but they are required to. And smile at your cashier. I swear most of the time it looks like people are being tortured by shopping. If it hurts that bad, don't go! LOL And bring your patience and an ipod or whatever to pass away the time. :)

ditto!! i have worked in retail a lot and completely understand this! i always hated when i was forced to ask people if they want the store credit cards and stuff, but they make you, lol. just last night at Sears this girl had to ask me like 3 different things, Kidvantage, the sears card and something else, lol.

i really don't think i'm heading to Best Buy on BF. i'm going to look around on Wednesday when we get paid and see what i can find and on Thanksgiving day too. i just think Best Buy will be one of the worst places to go. :D

[lauren grier]

why is everyone saying thursday online.. LOL there are actual Black Friday deals online every year.

[nesser1981]

I'm going to Joann's, Target and probably Kohls & Michaels with my MIL & SIL.

I usually go to Joann's on Black Friday.

[Megan Turnidge]

No WAY!

but DH goes! We get a paper and look through all the ads and if there is anything we want, he'll get it! :)

Awwwww!!! What a good hubby! :wub:

[junebug]

why is everyone saying thursday online.. LOL there are actual Black Friday deals online every year.

part of the problem with this is that the other day when i tried to buy some clothes off of Aeropostale they said there was an issue with my mailing addresses not matching my debit card or something. which is odd. cause i used it last week at TRU online just fine. so i'm afraid i wouldnt' be able to order online because of that. plus, i don't wanna pay shipping. or wait on it, lol.

[lauren grier]

there will be a lot of free shipping deals too.. you're the one who said you'd look online on thanksgiving goober :p lol

[kim21673]

I'm sending DH out!! :thumbup:

I have to work at 7am so DH is the designated early shopper!!! We will head out after I get off work at 3. The boys are staying at my parent's house for a few days so we can finish up on our Christmas shopping and have a date night, which he haven't had in years!!!!!!

[junebug]

there will be a lot of free shipping deals too.. you're the one who said you'd look online on thanksgiving goober :p lol

i know, but i meant i'd look online and see if they carried them in the store as well, lol. i may try to order online but it just may not work :D

but i am still a goober :D

[hollyxann]

I normally don't leave the house on Black Friday...however for the last 2 years I've had to work. So this year I will be where I was at last year...work. Thankfully though I don't work in retail...I'm a server...I have a feeling that this year is going to be slow because no one has money and everyone that has any money is going to be spending it @ Black Friday sales.

[Julie Billingsley]

why is everyone saying thursday online.. LOL there are actual Black Friday deals online every year.

I found several deals online on Thanksgiving last year. It's a day of lost sales for brick and mortar stores, so sometimes their online stores will offer sales so at least they make some money that day!

[jorgies5]

why is everyone saying thursday online.. LOL there are actual Black Friday deals online every year.

Best Buy's online "Black Friday" sale starts at midnight on Thanksgiving day. But I am with you La, there is enough deals online to keep me home instead of getting no sleep, dealing with crazy people, and not even having the guarantee that you will get what you want. Plus I would end up buying more stuff that we don't need.

[scrap2day]

I used to love going out. Especially back in the good 'ol days (about 10-12 years ago) when you could go from store to store getting gifts just for showing up! That was a TON of fun. One year I came home with a free Elmo tin filled with Sesame Street cookies from KMart.

It was such a tradition for me that one year when my sister moved to another part of the country we both shopped separately together on Black Friday. We called each other back and forth on cell phones (where are you, what did you get, want to go in on this for mom, guess what I got for the house, etc.). Would have been much more fun together but it was still a lot of fun.

Not sure yet if I'm going out this year. I haven't seen anything that is just too good to pass up. I might do some online shopping. I'm looking forward to visiting the Sweet Shoppe on Black Friday.

Ditto to all of those who say the Best Buy is nuts. We have family leave our house on Thanksgiving and call us to let us know about the people already camping out -- and let's just say I don't live in Florida where camping out in November would not be a big deal.

Wishes for a safe and fun day for all those who decide to brave the crowds.

[crystalbella77]

I read somewhere that a lot of places might have their sales online starting Thursday night or evening which is why I am looking on Thurs. I have a few specific things I want so if they are not gonna be on sale on Thursday like I read then I will go out. I don't want to stay home and wait and see and then the online sites not have them ya know? Maybe it is just ten dollars here and there, but for me that adds up. :)

[Julie Billingsley]

B Plus I would end up buying more stuff that we don't need.

LOL :D I did that several years back on Black Friday. I was at Target standing in line forever and stood by this electronic dart board for long enough that it sounded like a good idea to buy it. So I add the dart board to my cart and now it lives in my garage, unopened and mocking me every time I see it. :p

[kim21673]

I will be braving the crowds... from the other side of the counter. My other job is working in retail clothing. So I'm working 10 hours that day. Sigh.

PLEASE be nice to your cashiers and sales people. :) When you go to check out and they ask you to donate to St. Jude's or whatever charity, don't give them a lesson in your finances or explainations. Just "no thank you" is fine or have a few one dollar bills to divide amongst your shopping that day. BELIEVE me, they don't want to ask you about donating money but they are required to. And smile at your cashier. I swear most of the time it looks like people are being tortured by shopping. If it hurts that bad, don't go! LOL And bring your patience and an ipod or whatever to pass away the time. :)


I totally agree Julie!!!! I work part time (which isn't so part time right now) at a department store and am not looking forward to the rudeness!!!!

[scrap2day]

So I add the dart board to my cart and now it lives in my garage, unopened and mocking me every time I see it. :p

Quick. Donate it. Gets it out of your house and it will never mock you again. Plus, there may be somebody out there who thinks it is a great present and you said it's not even opened.

[mummytothree]

I usually go out every year but not with a nursling this year :( Oh well there will be more Black Firdays!!!! :D

[lovely1m]

I totally agree Julie!!!! I work part time (which isn't so part time right now) at a department store and am not looking forward to the rudeness!!!!

Oh, be nice if you call to ask questions about your credit card, too. I don't change you interest rate or lower your limit. ;)

[junebug]

aha!! Best Buy is having a sale right now through wednesday. we get paid wednesday so i'm heading there to see if they have this gigantic tv (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+50%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9290117.p?id=1218075402383&skuId=9290117)! :D yay! maybe i can avoid BF and the wait if i buy online! woot! i will be all over wednesday looking for a tv if they dont have this one. for something this big i am not shopping for it on BF, lol.

[newfiemountiewife]

I'm a Canuck, so no Black Friday for me. But that's ok. Rae has no school that day, and the other two can walk on their own. I also have the day off work. I'm planning to get the kids off to school, then lie on the couch with my laptop and scrap, shop, be lazy. If anything happens to ruin it for me, I think I'll cry.

[Sari]

Not me! I used to loooove doing the crazy Black Friday shopping growing up but now I just hate dealing with all the crowds. Seems people get more and more rude (or maybe my patience just wears thin as I get older? LOL).

[schock77]

I hate shopping most of the time anyway, so probably not going. Maybe TRU if I feel ambitious, but I like online shopping.... no crazies (other than the ones in my house) and mostly stress-free. Dh thinks we "NEED" a new tv (one of the 4 is old)... but he has a large disdain for the general public, so I doubt we'll be shopping! :)

[WalkersMommy]

I am just running to Toys R Us so pick up the drum set we have picked out for DS. It's $40 off that day :) I might run to Joann's, which is next door to the toy store, to get some fabric to make DS a blanket, and hopefully some Christmas crafts, but we'll see how crowded it is first. :)

[carriesmom]

I'm going to Joann's to get more craft stuff (we don't have one where I live), wrapping paper and some ornaments and then to Walmart to get my oldest her Santa gift, a Sit and spin (the kid pushes me out of my office chair to spin!). DH and BIL are going to look at cars. Ick. That evening we are coming home, so hopefully I will have some time to hit the BF sales online for some digi supplies. I'm not going for some big ticket items so hopefully I won't have too much of a problem. Got our tree last year 50% Christmas Eve at Home Depot. The shopping is almost done anyway.

[maryinaz]

aha!! Best Buy is having a sale right now through wednesday. we get paid wednesday so i'm heading there to see if they have this gigantic tv (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+50%22+Class+/+1080p+/+600Hz+/+Plasma+HDTV/9290117.p?id=1218075402383&skuId=9290117)! :D yay! maybe i can avoid BF and the wait if i buy online! woot! i will be all over wednesday looking for a tv if they dont have this one. for something this big i am not shopping for it on BF, lol.

Just make sure you don't buy a BB warranty for that. We bought a huge Samsung and it went out after about 2 months. It was a NIGHTMARE getting it taken care of. BB wouldn't honor the warranty, Samsung wouldn't do anything without having it in their shop for 45 days. We went for months having to watch a crappy TV. Finally Samsung gave us our money back. Will never buy that brand or a warranty at BB again. There are gobs of websites out there warning of the scams BB does with their warranties. So buyer beware!

I'll be working on BF and checking out online deals myself.

[meganmecrazy]

I always go out Black Friday!!! LOVE IT!!!

[Beth Swann]

Just make sure you don't buy a BB warranty for that. We bought a huge Samsung and it went out after about 2 months. It was a NIGHTMARE getting it taken care of. BB wouldn't honor the warranty, Samsung wouldn't do anything without having it in their shop for 45 days. We went for months having to watch a crappy TV. Finally Samsung gave us our money back. Will never buy that brand or a warranty at BB again. There are gobs of websites out there warning of the scams BB does with their warranties. So buyer beware!

I'll be working on BF and checking out online deals myself.

We have had the same problems with Best Buy. We have boycotted the store for 9 years now because of it and don't miss it at all! LOL!

If it breaks or needs service within a reasonable time from the date of purchase, don't be surprised if they don't help you at all, even if you talk to the store manager.

Costco, on the other hand, has filled all our electronic needs and we LOVE them! :-) Their service has exceeded our expectations many times over!

Have fun out there everyone!

[junebug]

Just make sure you don't buy a BB warranty for that. We bought a huge Samsung and it went out after about 2 months. It was a NIGHTMARE getting it taken care of. BB wouldn't honor the warranty, Samsung wouldn't do anything without having it in their shop for 45 days. We went for months having to watch a crappy TV. Finally Samsung gave us our money back. Will never buy that brand or a warranty at BB again. There are gobs of websites out there warning of the scams BB does with their warranties. So buyer beware!

I'll be working on BF and checking out online deals myself.

we had a Samsung before and never had any problems with it. then when we headed to cali for a few months, not knowing if we'd stay there or move back here, DH sold it to his mom. so now all we have is a little tiny 24 inch samsung. works great, but i need atleast 40", lol. Sony's got a bad review at one website so i don't know if i want that brand either. Sams Club has a bunch of Vizio's that look good so i think i'll head there and check them out. but thanks for the heads up; i don't usually buy extended warranties anyway, lol.