Do You Do Black Friday?

By drodriguez Nov 28, 2009

For those of you that were brave enough to wade through the crowds of Black Friday shoppers this year, you may have noticed that not everyone stuck it out all day long. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday evening that Black Friday started out strong, but slowly thinned out by afternoon. This is because shoppers were not willing to stick around unless they were seeing some major discounts.

A lot of the savings we were seeing this year came in the form of doorbusters and a good deal of sales on electronics. Unless you were lined up outside the door just as stores opened in the early morning, you may not have seen too many savings. The Wall Street Journal reports that Andrew Harris, a Dallas police officer, planned his Black Friday out perfectly when he showed up for a sale at Target at 3am, 2 hours before the store even opened, and bought a 32" LCD HDTV for $246 (a savings of $180).

Wal-Mart also saw lots of traffic, with some customers showing up the evening before to camp out in front of the store. Stores like Wal -Mart recognize the need to get shoppers in by enticing them with deep discounts since many consumers have expressed a need to spend less this year than last.

Aix Partners LLP released a study earlier this year with some data about the upcoming holiday season. They found that 88 percent of consumers planned to spend less this year than last year and 82 percent said that what they do spend money on will be purchased from value stores like Wal -Mart. Though the numbers sound bleak for retailers, the National Retail Federation is only predicting a 1 percent drop in U.S. holiday sales, which is up from last years 3.4 percent decline.

Did you venture out to the stores this Black Friday?

Do you plan on spending less on gifts this holiday season than you did last year?

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Comments

by AimeeAken | Omaha, NE

Dec 03, 2009

I did not because I was one of the lucky people that had to work a 10 hour day, but even if not I would not venture out. My hubby took the kiddos out to so some shopping, but that was WAY after the crowds were gone (like after 3PM) and a football game was on so the stores become empty. ( I love shopping during games) :) We do not watch football, so that works for us. My husband would never go out on black friday either. We tried it once for an item back before we had children, and it was a mad rush of people shoving each other and breaking items as they ran down the isles. It looked more like a zoo than civil people, so it is not my idea of a good time. I will buy what is on my list, and that is all. I do not go overboard and I do try to find bargains when I can. When children want something specific, that is hard to do when it is an item that never goes on sale..Everyone else is just happy with what I get them because the reason for the season is much more than just gifts.. :)

by cybrown551 | HOOKSETT, NH

Dec 02, 2009

I did not go shopping on Black Friday because I rather wait until Christmas Eve to see what is on sale at that time. I did get a chance to shop online for cyber Monday.

by Damned | WEST LINN, OR

Dec 02, 2009

I definitely do Black Friday every year. I stay up for the online shopping. Then I am up at 3 am to be at the stores by their 4 am opening time. I don't get the limited big ticket items though. With 4 children I am looking for the deals on clothing, jackets, etc. It also helps that I have a husband who will go with me.

by jlindseyc | LEXINGTON, KY

Dec 02, 2009

I go but not early...usually get started around 10. Mostly its a fun family tradition and finding especially good deals is a bonus!

by deenice22 | Horsham, PA

Dec 02, 2009

I agree it is not worth getting up that early. The majority of the door busters are very limited in quantity. I did not see a lot of really good deals this year. When I am in the market for electronics (especially desktop computers, camcorders, or TVs), I have stood in the lines to get these products. I didn't always get what I set out for but when I was able to get what I was looking for the savings were great.

by GuessWho | PHILADELPHIA, PA

Dec 01, 2009

Why shop on Black Friday when you can use the internet for Cyber Monday?

by chintel | plaquemine, LA

Dec 01, 2009

I went BF shopping for the first time this year and will never go again. It is not worth getting up that early in the morning to save a few bucks. I'd rather pay the extra money than wait in a line for an hour to check out.

by yousefloli | Spring Hill, FL

Dec 01, 2009

I did go BF shopping this year! I did not see to many great deals though!

by girl17 | EAGAN, MN

Dec 01, 2009

I thought about shopping this year. I usually never do because the crowds are unbearable. This year since I'm trying to be more frugal it was a little more appealing, but not enough to get up super early to fight the crowd. I did search online for deals though.

by luanlee54 | NORTHAMPTON, MA

Nov 30, 2009

I don't like the whole concept or name of Black Friday either. This year I am trying to mostly buy locally made items. There are some beautiful things available at farmer's markets, church fairs, craft coops, etc. That way we are supporting our neighbors and not sending our money to China. (Just wish one of our neighbors made flat screen TVs and laptops..)

by laine17 | Port Saint Lucie, FL

Nov 30, 2009

I hate Black Friday. I hate the crowds, the fighting for parking spots. Not worth it to me, Id rather pay the extra money than deal with the traffic and crabby people.

by Jcbuser | WINDSOR, CO

Nov 30, 2009

Black Friday - No way! Too early to rise, too many people, too much traffic. I got the same deals online - from the comfort of home!

by tmaier | MEDIA, PA

Nov 30, 2009

If the other shoppers were a bit nicer the experience would not be so bad.

by redkat3274 | McKinney, TX

Nov 30, 2009

I went but only b/c there was one particular gift I wanted to get my toddler. It wasn't too bad here in DFW but then again I was only in the store for 20 whole minutes!

by lfriday | COATESVILLE, PA

Nov 30, 2009

No, No, No.... Too crowded and I like to take my time and shop and not be rushed.