Friday, November 22, 2013

Why I'm not hitting the mall on Black Friday


Next Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year.  And I love to shop (not sure if I've made that obvious on here).  Yet I never go out on Black Friday.  For me, it just isn't worth it.  So why am I staying home?

Who wants to shop when it's so crowded?
Ummm, not me.  When I was in high school and was done for the day obscenely early (like, 1:30 I think?  Did I even go to school?) I would do all of my shopping early in the afternoon before the crowds took over.  I just prefer not to fight for a parking spot, not to stand in lines, and not to have to beg for the sales people's attention.  The busiest shopping day of the year just does not sound fun to me.

It takes away from family time.
Every year Black Friday deals seem to start earlier and earlier.  Last year the mall in my hometown opened at 10pm, and I'm sure it'll be earlier this time.  Think about all of the people who have to go in and open the store before you rush in to shop.  I get sad every year when my family members who work in retail have to head into work while we're still stuffing our faces with pumpkin pie (or, in my case, sneakily searching for ice cream in the back of my grandma's freezer, - no pie for me, thanks!).  Every year that stores open earlier, it means the employees get to spend less of their Thanksgiving with their families.

Why hit the mall when I can shop online in my pajamas?
So last year I looked at ads and sale emails to see if I should change my tune about Black Friday.  And you know what?  A lot of the deals were the same, if not better, for online stores.  Now, I wasn't shopping for a new flatscreen or anything, for something like that you probably have to go to the store.  But for clothes and accessories and other little Christmas gifts, shopping online in my pajamas worked just fine.

So what about you?  Do you go out on Black Friday?  Or is it a shopping holiday you prefer to skip?




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10 comments :

  1. I've never gone Black Friday shopping- by choice. It's too much craziness for me!

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  2. I rarely go black Friday shopping–DEFINITELY not at 12am or something crazy like that! Last year I happened to stop by the mall with my mom, but that's the first time I've gone!

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  3. It's ridiculous that the malls open at 10pm! What a load of crap! I can't believe employees are working during a holiday like that. Not cool. Thanksgiving isn't the same time here as it is in the States but we still have Black Friday. I don't know though, I'm with you, I'd much rather shop online. Crowds aren't my thing either.

    Have a great weekend Kristina!

    Bold Subtlety

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  4. I usually don't go out for black Friday either. Last year (in the afternoon) I did head to pet smart for some doggy things and I didn't even get anything good!

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  5. Totally agree! I love to shop more than anything else but I never go out on black friday... too crowded and if you wait a little bit you will be able to score up some great deals anyways!

    -Alex

    http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com/

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  6. I completely agree! I've only been out black friday shopping once many years ago to see what the hullabaloo was about and since then, I haven't felt like I was missing anything. I still don't. The day I went I was just tired, grumpy, hungry, and sleepy and ony walked away with a cheap bracelet. This year is my first working in a mall, and now I have to come in 7pm on Thanksgiving Day. :(

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  7. Agree 100% - I think it's terrible that people have to work on Thanksgiving. Also, we usually travel/stay over family members homes, so we are all still hanging out on Friday! Cyber Monday is way more my style.

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  8. Man, oh man, this is right on. I have never been Black Friday shopping and I don't think I ever will. It just sounds awful!

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  9. I agree! My sapien did her shopping this weekend AND online already! Ck out my post for the nice deals she scored!

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  10. I am definitely not a hardcore black Friday shopper. I, too, hate crowds, and I usually hit the malls late Tuesday and Wednesday nights because I feel like no one is ever there. A few years ago, my mom, aunts, and girl cousins decided to go to an outdoor mall near us later in the afternoon, and it's become a fun tradition. This particular mall doesn't have a lot of stores with crazy black Friday sales, plus it's outside so you don't feel claustrophobic. I'm not even sure I bought anything last year! It's just a nice addition to family time while resisting the crazy crowds!


    Kaitlin
    www.teaandsequins.com

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