Is it even worth it to go shopping the morning of Black Friday?!

[beansmom]

Imo NO not even if they were giving things away. The crowds r unbelievable and rowdy.

remember 2 years ago when the man was trampled to death at wal-mart? Yeah, it's not worth a few bucks saved.

 

[StephyDee]

I think Black Friday has gone insane. I remember going at 6am 12 years or so ago and it was actually fun and enjoyable. Now its total chaos. If you can find a parking space, you then have to fight the crowds who seem like they are just out to watch vs shop. I think its awful that retail workers aren't even able to enjoy their holiday. I hope at least they are given an option if they want to work or not. Like other posters have said, your sanity is worth a few bucks.

I work in retail, actually, so I can answer this...

No, you don't get an option. You can only HOPE you aren't put on the schedule for BF, but 98% of the time, you will be.

I know this for a fact, because every year for the past four years, I've tried to request off for BF (and Thanksgiving....since our store was actually open Thanksgiving day...). You try to request off, and the computer will flat out say "Request denied. Reason being: Black Friday sales". Believe it or not, from now until a couple of weeks after Christmas, the computer will not allow you to take off in general for ANY reason (besides medical or emergencies). The managers can't even adjust the computer to allow someone off work. It's like a HUGE No-No! for us.

I'm kinda mad about these midnight sales. I have to be at work when the store opens at 4AM BF, and my family who's visiting won't be leaving till late, so I will get, at the most, 4 hours of sleep. I will most likely be working till around noon, and then I finally get to go home...after all the sales are gone. I have no time whatsoever to go to Target or Walmart, but it makes me sad because I only need ONE thing. Target has an android phone for $50 that my brother hinted at wanting for Christmas. It's normally $130, and when I got mine (exact same phone) it was hard to find and around $175. I know I'll have no chance on getting the phone, since it'll probably be gone within the half hour in all stores. That's what makes me upset. Not being able to get any good deals because I'm too busy working on BF. People in retail really do miss out sometimes.

Anyways, sorry for the rant, but I hate seeing an opportunity for saving money flying by me.

I went BF shopping years ago but never again. It was for a laptop. Now I shop mostly thru Amazon. Last year Amazon was price matching all the ads (just lowering prices to match those in ads such as Target, Best Buy, Walmart, etc.). So convenient. Like pp have stated, I feel bad for those who have to leave their family to go work on Thanksgiving.

Do you know if Amazon is going to do price matching again this year? because if so, that might solve my Target-phone problem. I love Amazon, so I don't have a problem ordering through them.

 

[anna08]

As I hate crowds, I was thrilled last year with all the deals that came to my inbox from companies that I shopped from throughout the year. They seemed to keep coming right up until xmas too. Hoping this increases even more this year. Stay safe all you late night shoppers!

 

[21hearts]

I went at midnight last year because Toys R Us had a great deal on a train table for my son. Our Toys R Us didn't get in enough one of the tables that was in the ad so they subbed a bigger & better table instead. I got a $300 table for $150. Made the whole trip worth it to me.

 

[kinntj]

I will be doing the same! I have my Walmart list for BF deals, and if I can get them online, then WOOHOO! If not, then I guess I will miss out on them. My goal is to be done shopping by Dec. 1.

Sounds like a great goal! I don't look at the ads until Thanksgiving morning.