Lucky Mom
Nov. 27, 2009
Black Friday
In my 44 years, I have (had) never participated in Black Friday.
The mere thought of parking miles away from malls and other shopping venues has always been nothing short of pure misery.
Then, the crowds inside - repulsive. (oh, with the exception of the Grand Opening of the Nordstrom Rack here in Austin last month - I'm not completely stupid, though I only made it about 20 minutes until I started getting crowd panic).
I've always hated queuing up for anything unnecessary. Not that my time is all that valuable, rather I just can't stand still that long. I get all jittery, a bit cranky and start making faces at people who aren't looking. It's simply all wrong.
Not this year. I decided to experiment. I'd have the kids all swept away to some 1/2 day camp thingy, Christian would continue his 24/7 job search and my mother and I would partake in the festivities and madness of this Black Friday shindig.
Maybe it'd be fun, I thought.
I'm certainly not in the market for anything (uh...see above regarding husband's job search), I would just watch all the crazies going nuts over bargain tv's or Wii's or whatever else constitutes a 'door buster'.
My mother agreed to join me on my 'experiment'. I wanted to witness it and say I was there.
I wanted to see if people really do walk over the dead to get their 1/2 price DVD player from Walmart.
We had our plan. We'd go to the mall, Target and Walmart! I was sure to observe at least some good arguments, or maybe a bit of pushing. I'd take my camera.
We made it to the mall. We parked right in front of Nordstrom. The lot was about 1/2 empty! WTF?
Inside, nothing. Huh. Walked into the main mall area thinking the surprise party must be there. We saw some shoppers, but I'd say less than what a standard Saturday was like. It was rather quiet. Nobody rushing around, just peaceful shopping going on.
What a disappointment. We actually went into a store which will remain nameless and we both found a few bargains that we couldn't deny. Not much of a queue to pay and they gave us a free item; I guess because we showed up.
I asked one of the employees if we were just late; was the mob there earlier? She said 'no, pretty slow day'.
We decided we had to go to Target. That would certainly be busy.
Nope. Nothing. My mom even finished her Christmas shopping there.
In November, on Black Friday.
We still had over an hour before we had to pick up the kids. This was all going so wrong.
We hit Walmart. A sure thing.
Same story. Normal day. Picked up a couple things and left with time to spare.
So my first official Black Friday was a bust. It was so productive, it was sad.
Maybe we're not the only ones finding themselves with no income during the holidays.
Is Black Friday just a myth? Was everyone at the Domain or Galleria? What did I do wrong?
5 Comments Posted (Add Yours)
I,too, have never experienced Black Friday. I can barely stand to shop on a normal day, no less one filled with crowds, pushing, shoving and Christmas carols blaring in every store. No thanks. I thought I'd try it today, as well, just to partake in the experience and people watch. I went to yoga first. By the time I was done, I was in such a Zen state, I decided there were better things to experience. My time is valuable.
I,too, have never experienced Black Friday. I can barely stand to shop on a normal day, no less one filled with crowds, pushing, shoving and Christmas carols blaring in every store. No thanks. I thought I'd try it today, as well, just to partake in the experience and people watch. I went to yoga first. By the time I was done, I was in such a Zen state, I decided there were better things to experience. My time is valuable.
Sonja - I think maybe the people are just too chill here. Plus, they're so nice, they'd probably give you their purchases if you just asked. : )
Didn't have the stomach for it myself but,I have first hand feedback from my sister and her sister-in-law. S-I-L was at her store of choice by 5:30, (yes, that's A.M.), and was scolding herself for being a 1/2 hour late since the store actually opened at 5 A.M., (Best Buy). Some crowds but, not bad. She said that she made her purchase and things were starting to heat up as she left. My sister went very early to her store of choice, (I think it was Old Navy) and said that the actual shopping part went well, (no bodily injury, that she could see), But, by the time she got to the check out line, it was an hour and a half wait. She dropped the goodies and left.
I'll stick to my favorite holiday shopping routine, on-line shoping!!
Well, Kristine, I think you went to the wrong Walmart. You and Liz should have gone to the Walmart where they threw all the customers out because they were fighting over everything! Wish I had paid attention to where that was. Maybe Austin isn't "low-brow" enough for Black Friday. I will say you both deserve a medal for trying though. Better luck next year!!!!!
[#] Posted by: Sonja on November 27, 2009