I have never been one to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving. I have heard about the craziness, but never experienced it myself. It always made way more sense to wait until a more reasonable time to shop. I know there are some great deals for those willing to shop at 6 am, but I also know good deals can be found year 'round if you know where to look. For example, smart shoppers frequent sites like Deal of Day to find the best bargains online. (Yes, its a shameless plug...)
However, I thought I would wake up early this morning to go and observe the scene for myself. I got up at 6:30 and drove to the local Best Buy, since that is my favorite electronics store.
I arrived around 6:45 am and found the parking lot mostly full. I immediately scanned the store and found the checkout registers to be fully staffed. I then noticed the line of people beyond the registers. As I walked through the store, I was amazed to see the line continue back further and further. I reached the back of the store and the line continued, making a curve to the right in order to accomodate more people.
There were at LEAST 150 people waiting in line, perhaps with the number being closer to 200 or more. They were clutching $11.99 DVDs, $599 laptop computers, and free-after-rebate recordable cd-roms. Certainly, they felt they had landed deals worth waiting for.
I saw no such deals. I could not, and would not, rationalize waiting in line for 90 minutes to save a few dollars. I was AMAZED at the number of people eager to wait an irrational period of time to get the gizmo or gadget on sale. A few employees asked if they could help me. I asked one gentlemen if there was an express register for those wanting to purchase one or two items. He informed me that there was not, and I informed him that I would not be buying anything. Oh, well.
Hey, this is America, and I am glad to see our economy alive and kicking. You folks who braved the early morning hours and long lines are to be applauded!
But I came upon this story and was saddened by the lengths that some people will go to get that "great deal".
ORANGE CITY, Fla. -- A 41-year-old woman was knocked unconscious and then trampled by a mob of shoppers who continued to step over her as she suffered a seizure during a Friday sale at Wal-Mart in Orange City, Fla., according to Local 6 News.Authorities said that Patricia Van Lester arrived at Wal-Mart at 3 a.m. for an early sale on a DVD player for her mother. When the store's doors opened at 6 a.m., Van Lester grabbed the DVD player but was quickly overcome by hundreds of shoppers rushing into the store.
The poor woman just wanted to get a good deal on a DVD player! How pathetic that the human cattle shopping at this store wanted to save a few dollars so badly that they stampeded this woman? Sigh... You can read the rest of the story here.
I have nothing more to say about it. Your comments?
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
November 29, 2003 04:43 AM
Online shopping is the only way to go! ;-)
November 29, 2003 11:41 AM
You haven't said anything in the first place.
Nobody LIKES being in crowded shopping malls. Some people HAVE to look for the deals. Not everybody has a fat savings account with which to avoid having to save a few dollars here or there.
How many stores DIDN'T have a trampling accident? Hundreds? Millions? You're being just like the media when you focus on one instance and try to pander it off like it's the norm.
November 30, 2003 12:41 AM
Oooh... touched a nerve in the old Twonkster...
1) There are much more reasonable ways to get great deals. Odds are you can find comparable prices on new items from dealers on Ebay. In fact, I found many DVD players available for $20-$30 on ebay.
2) I did not play off the trampling incident as though it happened everywhere. Nowhere did I make the conclusion that shopping on Black Friday was hazardous to your health. I merely pointed out that this situation was quite sad. Do you disagree?
3) Bitter, table for one please!
November 30, 2003 09:46 PM
Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
Is this "Twonky" character for real or just playing out an exercise of "devil's advocate?" That was quite the little rant, perhaps someone should consider pulling back on the caffeine intake, hmmm?
The lady trampled in shopping frenzy item hit the news services up here where I live also, just an hour west of Toronto, Canada. I would concur with Joel, a very sad situation. It presents a sad commentary on our materialistic society today. Too many "material girls living in a material world" metaphorically speaking, I'd say.
Personally I get out to the malls once a year, pre-Christmas to purchase a few gifts. Beyond that it's Walmart 4 or 5 X's a year for dog food and automotive items. I did hit The Future Shop, our equivilent to Best Buy, for a cheap RAM upgrade but something about the rows electronics, cd's, dvd's, refridgerators, ovens, air conditioners & microwaves disturbs me. Haven't quite put my finger on it as of yet.
It disturbs me almost as much as Twonky's rant which gave me a pain . . . not in the neck ... substantially lower.
December 1, 2003 10:35 AM
1) Wow. You mean there are better ways to do certain things? I never thought of that. There's not just one place to buy stuff? Weird. Yeah, you and I and other internet savvy shoppers can probably find lots of better deals. Not everyone has a computer in the house and even then not everyone knows how to hunt for deals online. This lady probably looked in the paper at all the deals there and figured she did her due diligence. Oh, and congratulations on your searching skills.
2) You didn't. But look what Steve Green (not WHAT singer?) said just after attempting a witty comeback. "It presents a sad commentary on our materialistic society today." Thanks Steve, you illustrated my point exactly. Yes, that specific situation was sad. But it was just that specific situation, not all of society.
3) Highbrow table for one (or two now) has already been seated.
Oh and Steve, try selling real estate for a living. It may be the only place where you could actually make a point or two.
December 1, 2003 03:30 PM
Wow is right.
December 5, 2003 05:14 AM
Thanks Twinky, your real estate advice might be just the ticket. Changed the name, does that help you dear? There,is it better for you if everyone just agrees with your "points"? Hmmmmm?
December 5, 2003 08:58 AM
Wow patriot. You're a clever one. I see how you changed my name from Twonky to Twinky. How long did it take you to come up with that gem? Several days most likely. But good for you. Anything to get that pride swelling for a job well done.
I see you're down to making no points at all. How long does it take to learn that skill or is it just something you're born with? It really weird. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to NOT make a point.
December 6, 2003 04:45 AM
LOL! Just saw the "Twinky" typo, you did notice that the I & O are together on the keyboard didn't you? Are you normally this sarcastic or have I received special treatment, I'm just wondering? There seems to be some obsession for you in making "points" in this forum??? Sorry, that really wasn't my goal. I have had some lively discussions with people here within the Mayor's Blog though which is much more enjoyable than this petty discourse which we seemed to have become embroiled in. My apologies if I have bruised your feelings. Have a good weekend!
November 7, 2004 06:29 PM
You all are cool...grow up!