Just wondering if I am the only one that you wouldn't catch dead or alive on Black Friday. I can't stand the crowds and there is no way I would get out of bed just to go shopping. Don't get me wrong I love shopping and finding a great bargin makes my day but the thought of all those people and crowds...:eek:

Don't hurt me

LOL I dont think your the only one on this board who thinks the same way.
But you are definately out numbered. :lmao:

There is no way I would get up that early in the morning if I didn't also have to be at work at 7:30. I usually only hit 1 or 2 stores before I go to work. I think my husband would want to have my head examined if I told him I was going to camp out in line somewhere the night before :yup:

my dh and FIL dont go out on BF, they just give their "orders" to us women and out we go. for me,my MIL and SIL, its a tradition, lol. a couple years ago we were out from 330am-430pm. we came home and took a nap after, lol.

Just wondering if I am the only one that you wouldn't catch dead or alive on Black Friday. I can't stand the crowds and there is no way I would get out of bed just to go shopping. Don't get me wrong I love shopping and finding a great bargin makes my day but the thought of all those people and crowds...:eek:

Don't hurt me


I've done it years past, but I am growing weary and for the 1st time(gasp) have thought about not going out this year!!!:eek:

I used to feel the same as you, but now I cannot wait for BF every year. It has become a tradition of a day out with my and my best friend and we love it. My mother thinks I'm nuts 'to brave the crowds', I just think you need the proper mind set. For example, yes there will be crowds, be prepared for them, be amazed by them and they will fuel the excitement.

We also have a set plan, BF is NOT a day for aimless browsing.

But with some preparation, BF can be an extreme fun shopping day.

It all boils down to "to each his own".:)

haha, that's funny.

NO, you're definitely not the only one. Basically, my whole family is with you on that one. I've almost convinced my brother to come out with me before and my wife has come once or twice, but other than them, I'm outta luck when it comes to family recruits.

i just love the excitement of it all!!

I have started the tradition with my daughter 3 years ago. She is now 20, and she knows the rules.
Up at 3:30
Find Krispy Kremes
Have list and
No browsing.
She usually adds an item for herself per store we our in. If she can find it quickly.
Lunch
Nap

Most of all do as I say. If I say go stand in line NOW, I mean NOW.

You are not alone. I can't convince any of my friends to go. They just all think I'm insane. That's okay though, it's fun for me. My hubby is pretty good and will go with me if he HAS to. Last year I just hit a few places by myself because we didn't have a sitter and I didn't really want to brave it all alone. This year, my aunt may go with me. Either way, I'm going. All day.

It's only once a year plus the less people go, the more deals for the rest of us.

DH thinks I am crazy but thats okay he babysits dd4. I have recruited my DD19 and last year my DS23 came with me. He wants to go again this year. I think now that they want to Christmas shop or shop for themselves they see all the bargins I get that day and want to help. The one thing they cannot do is ask, "who is that for?" I was in line at Sears last year about 4AM. As far as crowds I expect it and try to be friendly to whoever is on line near me. This year DS20 and his girlfriend are going with me too.

Black Friday is great, last your my sister and I were in line when the stores opened at midnight. You wouldn't have believed the back up on the freeway for the outlet mall, it took 45 minutes to get off the freeway into the parking lot at 11:30 PM.The only thing I hate are people who bring there little kids and babies in strollers at 1 an 2 in the morning, they should be in bed at that time. Great deals at the outlet mall at midnight.

Even if you don't buy anything:gdbees: , you orta go for the heart pumping thrill of it at least once in your life!

I live for it every year...Even though this year I am almost done shopping for Christmas!

Can't wait:runaway:

There's always all the great deals the major chains have online. I think last year Best Buy even offered the cheap desktops and laptops online. However, waiting in front of your computer for that 'OUT OF STOCK' button to change to 'BUY NOW' just isn't the same as the experience of actually being there.

You are not alone. I can't convince any of my friends to go. They just all think I'm insane. That's okay though, it's fun for me. My hubby is pretty good and will go with me if he HAS to. Last year I just hit a few places by myself because we didn't have a sitter and I didn't really want to brave it all alone. This year, my aunt may go with me. Either way, I'm going. All day.

You must have a pretty nice aunt to give up her entire day to go shopping with you. Either that or she is just as crazy about shopping as You :thumbsup:

For the rest of you all, I am the Aunt!

I hate it when I see sleepy tikes. Leave the kids at home!!!!!!!!!!

Last year, waiting inside Walmart, there was a family with 2 whining kids. It was 4am at that point. After overhearing that these people had these poor kids out since 10pm the night before at the midnight sales, then came to Walmart. I felt so bad for those poor kids.

I love it I go and spend the night at my daughter's so i dont have to drive at 3am i'm about 30 min. from town and dont want to meet any deers on the way. Cant get my sis to go she said there is no way she would get up for anything to get in the mess. I just tell here she she dont know what she is missing .:sidesplit

We go really early on Turkey Day spend the day with my youngest ds 9 then when he starts to get to cranky I call his Grammy to come and get him....He likes the fun of it but then as the night goes on that is it....last year was the first that my ds 14 went and spent the night out with me he loved it and is going again this year...

I used to when I had a ton of shopping to get done.

Now that most of my neices and nephews, not to mention my sisters and brothers, tend to not worry about getting anything, I have nobody to shop for.

Except me ;)
-Mike

I haven't had to go out on Black Friday, I have been able to find the things on the want lists by watching this site and buying when those things come up for sale. Most of the items I have been able to get online on Black Friday or thereabouts. I guess if something really spectacular comes up, I would venture forth but living in Montana, going out into the cold isn't my idea of fun. My step mother and I did venture out a few years in a row and it was fun. I guess we will see what comes up for sale this year.......

By no way are you off by not going out. Suggest you try on line shopping combined with anything that you know you just cant do without getting in the store without paying an arm and a leg. Best of both! That's how I've done it for two years now and am officially the office and home 'go to person. 2006-$800 online purchases of which over $600 saved via google C_O_ or mail in rebates (some took till Feb to receive!!!). And approx $400 in store purchases of which over $150 saved on B_F_.

I got out every year, but not one of my friends will go out. So you are definately not the only one. I ask every year and they look at me like Im nuts. LOL

Seriously, I bet 9 out of 10 people would LOVE shopping on BF if they'd just give it a shot! I mean, yeah it seems crazy looking in from the outside, but once you experience that rush, that excitement, the thrill of the chase, you can't imagine NOT going out on BF.

This year I guess I will have to skip it. My in-laws are flying the kids and I out to Phoenix, AZ for the week and they are not BF shoppers (plus I can't see lugging all that stuff plus two kids, carseat, stroller, etc all the way home through layovers and such. So no BF for me this year. :(

I dislike crowds in general. I refuse to shop in Walmart unless it is before 9 am. I have never shopped on BF and will, more than likely, never shop on BF.

My dh got up early one BF to attempt to get a computer. Ended up at Office Max to get the computer. Stood in line for over 2 hours just to pay for it. He says never again also.

I would rather pay more than stand in line and wait with annoying people. I am sure all of you are wonderful but I, at this moment in time, would rather pay more than stand in line.

I found gottadeal to find other deals. I tend to visit less and read less when BF rolls around. I will leave all those to you guys....I have lived without for this long!

This year I guess I will have to skip it. My in-laws are flying the kids and I out to Phoenix, AZ for the week and they are not BF shoppers (plus I can't see lugging all that stuff plus two kids, carseat, stroller, etc all the way home through layovers and such. So no BF for me this year. :(

You don't have to lug it all back with you, just do what I did when I shopped in Vegas a couple of years ago - had it shipped home by mail. Buy it, then ship it thru UPS or FedEx or whoever you want. Even the Post Office can do it. It's cheaper and easier than adding it to your stuff as cargo. If you have the PO holding your mail for you and you ship thru them too, then you can be home in time to get the packages. Probably less expensive than shipping online that way too (you can get more stuff in a package if you're the one packing it). :)

You don't have to lug it all back with you, just do what I did when I shopped in Vegas a couple of years ago - had it shipped home by mail. Buy it, then ship it thru UPS or FedEx or whoever you want. Even the Post Office can do it. It's cheaper and easier than adding it to your stuff as cargo. If you have the PO holding your mail for you and you ship thru them too, then you can be home in time to get the packages. Probably less expensive than shipping online that way too (you can get more stuff in a package if you're the one packing it). :)


Thats true,, but since I won't have a car there, I can't really see convincing DH's dad or step mom to take me out to spend the entire night out. lol They have money and think they are too good to bargain shop. lol If only they realized that most people that got rich did it that way and still do it to stay that way.

Couldn't you rent a car for a few days?

Couldn't you rent a car for a few days?

WEll technically I could, but I don't want to spend more then I have to and I would only be renting it for BF so by the time I paid for that, paid for shipping, unless it was something that i just HAD to have...ugh I think I would spend too much in the end. I guess I just have to play it by ear. Once I see what there is I will decide if it is worth it.

I thought about flying home after Thanksgiving dinner, but...that would still put us getting back that evening and thats not too much time to get all ready for BF.

Seriously, I bet 9 out of 10 people would LOVE shopping on BF if they'd just give it a shot! I mean, yeah it seems crazy looking in from the outside, but once you experience that rush, that excitement, the thrill of the chase, you can't imagine NOT going out on BF.

I think that would depend on whether or not those 9 people liked to shop. I've found that most people that like to shop enjoy BF, but for those that don't it's just too much stress to be around the crowds especially that early in the morning. I have a friend who hates to shop. Never cares to find a bargain, just prefers to wait until he needs something and runs to the first store he can find to get it or buys it online. For him, BF would be a nightmare. But his wife on the other really likes to shop, and thanks to me and my DH is becoming quite the bargain hunter. She went with us last year on BF for the first time and had the time of her life. She's already asked to come along this year. So I really do think it just depends on your take on shopping.

:runaway: :runaway: I LOVE to shop, I LOVE to find bargins...HOWEVER I HATE CROWDS. And I see the news in the morning where the show the people rushing into the mall at midnight to be one of the first 50 people in the door to get there $50 gift certificate. THe pushing the shoving....And then to think they have been there for who knows how long. No thanks. I like to think I can find some great and even better bargins just by doing what I do ALL YEAR LONG.
My kids always want video games and the newest ones usually, so finding them at a great price is hard enough.

When I shop now, I usually go right after I drop the kids off at school and there is hardly anyone in the store. I do my grocery store shopping then and my Target and the occassional Walmart trip then too and it is never busy. Even around Xmas time it isn't that bad as long as you go first thing in the morning. If I have to wait in a line that is too long or a store is to crowded for me then I leave the store and don't bother buying that time. It really stresses me out to have to wait in line or deal with the crowds...:runaway:
I guess I am a fuddy duddy.

I am a fuddy duddy right with you. I love to shop and would do it every day if my wallet allowed. I also love a bargain...but I am not going to be pushed and shoved and wait in line for hours for one.

But in most stores, I try to hit them before noon and I have been known to wake up early to make it to Walmart. (This is on normal days, not on BF.)

You will NOT catch me DEAD or ALIVE out there on BF. I WORK in retail, so the last place I want to be on BF is among the throngs of Mommies with strollers the size of volkswagons with screaming, crying, cranky kids hanging out of them!! NO WAY!!

Last year, I found so many good deals via GottaDeal right here on the internet that I did not feel the need to go out. There are so many online retailers competing for your business it is crazy! A lot of them will offer free shipping and nearly all of them have a percentage discount that changes with the mood. Brad does such a good job of updating the online deals, too. It is a fun little game to wait it out and see how low they will go. Besides, I can sit here at 2 a.m. wearing a nightie, sipping wine while I shop! You can't do that at Wally World!

Just my 2 cents....

there are no major stores near me and i don't drive so i've never done it. my friend has gone to KB Toys at 5 am to do BF shopping but no way would i get up that early, one year they only let a certain amount of people in at a time. i did go in once at 7:00 am and it was nice. no one was in the store and the staff was sleeping on the floor lol. the manager grab a hugh bag and just followed me helping me with the shopping, recommending sale stuff, it was great but there were no other shoppers. i left with 3 bags of toys for the kids.

a lot of stores are now doing online only sales for BF also, something to look forward to.

I run the largest BF site online and even I don't go out on BF (usually) :P

I run the largest BF site online and even I don't go out on BF (usually) :P

Wow really Brad? That is so ironic.

Wow really Brad? That is so ironic.

I'm usually home making sure the site is still running smoothly and updating the list of items that you can buy online. Last year I stayed up Thursday night until around 6am Friday morning because Wal-Mart was putting their ad items online early in the morning. Took a short nap and was back at it a few hours later updating things as the day went on.

There have been some years that I did not go. But back then I had no one to go with me. Now DH goes and I am trying to get my neice to go. We could use another set of hands for grabbing things.

i tell Dh to grab and we will sort later.

Just wondering if I am the only one that you wouldn't catch dead or alive on Black Friday. I can't stand the crowds and there is no way I would get out of bed just to go shopping. Don't get me wrong I love shopping and finding a great bargin makes my day but the thought of all those people and crowds...:eek:

Don't hurt me

I think you are the only one!:yup:

.... Besides, I can sit here at 2 a.m. wearing a nightie, sipping wine while I shop! You can't do that at Wally World!

Just my 2 cents....

I have seen some people shopping in wally world like this.. at least here in Little Rock !

Last year, I woke up early to shop on walmart.com, then I headed to the mall when it opened. I wasn't gone but for maybe an hour or two. That's the way I prefer my BF. :D

I'm usually home making sure the site is still running smoothly and updating the list of items that you can buy online. Last year I stayed up Thursday night until around 6am Friday morning because Wal-Mart was putting their ad items online early in the morning. Took a short nap and was back at it a few hours later updating things as the day went on.

guess i'll be spending BF with the GDer's it's to crazy and all the major stores are a bus ride away. and then a cab ride home, if i can get one. so i'll be looking for the online sales. brad hope you can get me good price on a laptop. :D

Last year was INSANE, and I refuse to spend Thanksgiving sitting in front of a store so I probably won't go out this year, but I will be sniffing around online.

i actually don't. my last good set of black friday deals, i went to fry's at 11am and got almost everything i wanted. sure they weren't doorbusters, but i had a custom made computer with parts i wanted and i didn't have to spend hours trying to uninstall the programs i didn't want.

i'm also usually pretty tired the day of thanksgiving - i've been in southern california the last few years, and my parents live in northern california. since i made the mistake ONE YEAR of driving back up north on the wednesday before thanksgiving, we have never done it again since and we drive back home on thursday morning, usually around 5am. then i get to my parents and start helping my mom out, and then i'm just too tired to sit outside all night.

the only things i ever really wanted were like the 10 dollar memory cards, and i wasn't going to wait all night for that. i wanted the TV last year but there was definitely no room in the car and my living room isn't big enough for a 32" LCD (i measured... i need at least another foot for optimal viewing.)

i'll be watching the boards! if i'm conscious! and not saving my fiance from my family bothering him!

Most people I ask if they go Black Friday Shopping look at me as if I've just escaped from a psyc ward...but others...they get it. My husband was converted to "the dark side" last year. I think he just couldn't stand the curiosity anymore of how my mother and I could be so crazy to actually enjoy what this whole Black Friday thing is about. So far he has remained non committal about this year's trip but it is promising that he has requested the day off work. To all of those who have never ventured into Black Friday Shopping territory, find yourself and experienced shopping buddy--never go alone your first time, it's too dangerous out there. At least once in your life you can say you joined the millions of crazy people - you may become one of us!!!

I'm only out for about an hour, then back here to patrol the boards and such. Same with Brad (Personally, I don't think he ever leaves his computer desk ;))

DH won't go out either. He volunteers to stay home and watch DD.

I went out last year and got to CC at about 7:30... needless to say EVERYTHING I wanted was already gone... This year I plan on going out around 3:30 since the deals are just too good to pass up, for a few hours of craziness its worth it...

i use to think BF shoppers were nuts, worked in retail and ended working BF morning one year. driving to work that early i thought everyone was nuts...then i went 3yrs ago and been hooked ever since...i don't go for the "huge" items that cause fights over, i just stand back and laugh at those people and get the items that don't cause fights.....

Can I just share my First Black Friday Experience real fast?

10 years ago...I didn't know what Black Friday was. It was my first year working at Fred Meyer (Anyone know what that is? It's owned by Kroger, but it is not just a supermarket, it is a "One Stop Shopping", more like a Walmart Super Center or Target Plus Groceries?!?!)

Anyway, I was a cashier. I got my schedule and saw that I had to be at work at ready to cashier at 6:00 am the day after thanksgiving because there was a "5 hour sale". A bunch of us were scheduled that way to be there that early and I thought it was the craziest thing! I thought..."ok? How many people are REALLY going to be up at 6 in the morning just to buy something on sale?" (I can hear you all laughing!!!) :yup: We'll I drove to work that morning (still thinking this was strange, but whatever) and pulled into the parking lot and couldn't find a parking spot. Now--let me add that this is one of those types of stores where any other time of the year the parking lot MIGHT be HALF FULL on a busy day!!! So I freaked out and thought HOLY CRAP, what is going on???? I parked in back, went in through the employee entrance, went onto the sales floor and I was blocked with shoppers!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes!!!!! I was late getting to the front of the store, because I COULDN'T WALK THROUGH THE STORE!!!!!!
I was shocked, but as I talked to the customers as they paid, I realized that this was REALLY a tradition with MANY people, and I had SO much fun that day! The customers were crazy, but they were having fun! They were stressed out, but they also knew it was silly and funny, but the were on on mission!

I've never shopped on Black Friday. I've usually just worked (But I'd get the deals on my 15 minute break, of course). I LOVED workign on Black Friday, I looked forward to it!

It is truly a shopping experience like no other! Enjoy Black Friday everyone! I'll be sleeping!

Okay, I went ONCE a long time ago when I didn't have to work and was too tired to even remember what I went out for. My sons are teenagers and my oldest who is 19 would rather have mondy, and my 15 y/o doesn't really matter he wants a bit of both.
I usually have to work early shift at my job at Chickfila so I enjoy talking to the people who come in and hearing their stories and knowing what is out at each store,etc...
Work is the only reason I get up early on BF. I have fibromyalgia so my body enjoys any rest it can get now days.
My MIL will go out with her sister and shop, so I let her tell us how it was, and then enjoy my rest!
Good luck! Happy Shopping!
I find that about 2 weeks after christmas is best for me, since most retail stores are trying to get rid of everything, and it is usually 75% off by then.

Just wondering if I am the only one that you wouldn't catch dead or alive on Black Friday. I can't stand the crowds and there is no way I would get out of bed just to go shopping. Don't get me wrong I love shopping and finding a great bargin makes my day but the thought of all those people and crowds...:eek:

Don't hurt me

Only once in my life have I shopped BF and I was in the store grabbed a camera for my DS and was out in less than 1/2 hour. I am an all year shopper so I am usually finished by BF.

A gal I work with takes a vacation day every year for BF. Her family plots out what each wants makes a list by dept. and when the doors open they each head off in a different direction looking for the deals. Too crazy for me. And there is no way I want anyone fighting/shoving me for merchandise.

But each to their own.......

I have started the tradition with my daughter 3 years ago. She is now 20, and she knows the rules.
Up at 3:30
Find Krispy Kremes
Have list and
No browsing.
She usually adds an item for herself per store we our in. If she can find it quickly.
Lunch
Nap

Most of all do as I say. If I say go stand in line NOW, I mean NOW.

LMAO this is just like my mom and I - we started a few years ago when I first had my kids. We live in a duplex and our apartments are right next to each other. We plan our attack after Thanksgiving dinner - TRY to sleep but usually cant because visions of shopping carts fill my head...we meet on the porch at 4:00 AM and we're off for donuts...we DO NOT browse on this day, were only there for the door busters..she stands in line I do both of our shopping - and bring out items back to the empty cart she holds in line - we're out of the store as quickly as possible and off to the next store - mid day we stop for lunch - make our last stop of the day which is usually Walgreens to grab their wrapping paper and we go home - and go to sleep......ahhhhhhhh what a great day!

My husband will not go either - lucky for me he sleeps in with the girls.

I have done the BF thing a few times in the past. I never got in line more than an hour before the store opened. There are very few "things" that I think are worth the trouble of standing in line for days and fighting other customers over. Sometimes I go later in the morning, after the big crowds have gone. I usually can find most of what I wanted without the hassle. People who say "you have to experience it"......I have experienced it, didn't "get" it, won't do it again. And I DO LOVE to shop! So.....on BF, and the 2-3 days before, when you are standing in line, I will be having Thanksgiving dinner with my family, watching the parades and games, enjoying my kids and family, and sleeping in my nice, warm bed!

I haven't gone Black Friday shopping for THREE WHOLE YEARS. There just hasn't been anything I've needed.

Not great prices for stuff i WANT either....:shock:

Hubby gladly stays hoem with DD

BF Rules:eyepoppin

The 1st and only time I went was with my mother, sister and SIL's and it was over 10 yrs ago. Someone in the next aisle over was trying to get a large toy off of the top shelf by jumping up and knocking the item so that it would rock backwards and fall forwards. She didn't realize that she was also knocking all of the packages behind it. A HUGE metal tonka tractor fell on my head! I yelled out in pain, enough for everyone in 3 aisles to stop what they were doing to see what had happened, everyone except for her. My mother went around the corner and saw the woman trying it again with another toy so she explained to her that she was knocking boxes into the next aisle and hitting people, but the woman didn't care...she wanted that toy and that was all that mattered. In the meantime, someone else had gotten an employee who came over and told the woman to stop or leave the store. He also told her that all she had to do was ask an employee for help and they would have gotten the toys for her.

My BFF goes out every year and every year she comes home with a story about a battle she was in or saw. It's just not worth the few bucks you might save, if the stores even have what you want, which they usually don't...they just advertise the deals to get you in the door.

My family never did much BF shopping in the past, and I can sypathize with the dread of crowds, long waits in the dark night, or incessant commercialism. But last year a nephew and I tried it out for the first time, and my wife joined later in the day. We were traveling, but had rented a car and driven on the trip. (Almost couldn't get our luggage in the trunk going home.)

I agree with the comments about small children. It isn't fair to them. Find a way to leave them at home and do them and the rest of us a favor. :confused: :tired:

Traveling? Pack light and take an empty piece of wheeled luggage. Shop for smaller items that fill the bag. You probably won't get an HDTV, but you would be surprised how many goodies you can get in one empty bag. (I always leave some room in my luggage for purchases). :cool:

The weather isn't cooperating so far this fall, but I hope it is bitter cold and snowing on Thanksgiving in my area (slim chance) so that I lot more people (mostly those who don't read this site) stay home, so there is more for me. ;)

I got out every year, but not one of my friends will go out. So you are definately not the only one. I ask every year and they look at me like Im nuts. LOL
Same here! Too bad you're in Ohio and I'm in Indiana, LOL! We could be BF buds :rwb:

You are not alone. I can't convince any of my friends to go. They just all think I'm insane. That's okay though, it's fun for me. My hubby is pretty good and will go with me if he HAS to. Last year I just hit a few places by myself because we didn't have a sitter and I didn't really want to brave it all alone. This year, my aunt may go with me. Either way, I'm going. All day.
Same here! Too bad you're in Ohio and I'm in Indiana, we could be BF buds! :cheesy:

It's only once a year plus the less people go, the more deals for the rest of us.

i agree!...bring on BF!!!