verchad

I used to love the "hunt". but that was back when Black Friday was FRIDAY. Getting to the stores Friday morning, waiting for the doors to open. When JCP was doing Disney snow globes. But now, the daughter is in college, a few relatives have passed away, and so many places start offering up BF deals online so far ahead of time. I'm more comfy now doing the little "Black Friday" shopping that I do now, not freezing my behind off, not fighting for parking, not running from store to store. I loved the look my daughter had when she was little, opening her next snow globe to add to her collection, to get that American Girl doll, the latest Harry Potter book and dvd. Nowadays, outside of buying things for our daughter, my wife, and a few family gift exchange people, the list is much smaller. And frankly, as I've gotten older, I don't want or need as much stuff. The last few years whether it's Christmas or our anniversary, more and more, my wife and I decide to just get something we need for the house, or a weekend trip, a special concert. And as much as I like them, Lord knows I don't need another Star Wars or White Sox related item to collect dust. Stepping of my soapbox as I yell those kids to get off my lawn, :-)

As I sit here, in the comfort of my home, on Black Friday morning, for the first time in probably 20 years, I'd say this topic hits home with me. I'm glad to see it wasn't just me that felt the deals just don't seem to be as good or enticing as they have in years past. My enjoyment of BF shopping started dying a few years ago, when stores started opening on Thursday. I am one of "those" folks who first refused to go out for BF on Thanksgiving day for deals. I enjoyed the modern day hunter/gatherer aspect. Getting out early in the morning, making a plan, (years ago) finding someplace to get coffee at 3 a.m., etc In conversation over Thanksgiving dinner last night, some other BF shopping family members also felt that way too. They were still heading out this morning, but said there wasn't too much they were shopping for. Me, I snagged about 20 things, but all online in the days leading up to today. I know some of my shopping has changed, my daughter is now 16, so I'm not looking for the hot holiday toys like I did when she was little. Now for her it's things like her class ring or her musical instrument that become Christmas/big ticket gifts. When JCP stopped the snow globes, that killed a little of the fun for me. And with the economy being what it is, we're just trying to spend a little less and being careful with what we do spend.

A nice experience. Was at Menard's to get the cast iron dutch overn, jumbo cooker, two 9 cube storage units, and some of the baskets that go inside. By the time I was in the store, no carts left. I found the units and knew there was no way I could lug those around along with the pans and baskets and then out to the business I had to park at because Menard's lot was full. An older couple (60's) was there with one of those long low carts, he was loading some of them on the cart. In my head, I was thinking about asking if we could share the cart. As I'm thinking that, the lady asks if that's all I was getting. I said yes, they are for our church for extra organized storage in the choir loft (true story). She said, they were all done and if I would like I could add my stuff to their 4 boxeson the cart as there were done too. Great. I even pushed the cart thru to the checkout. In the checkout line, she told her husband to go ahead and pull the car around, because they had parked far away.I checked out first, told the cashier what was mine. I ran the pans and baskets out to my van. Pulled up just as she was leaving the building. Loaded my 2 boxes, as her husband pulled up. I loaded their 4 into their van for them. Thank you to them. Merry Christmas!

Against it. I don't like the whole being open on Thanksgiving day thing. With so many stores offering up things online early now and me not needing to get any of the crazy door busters last year, it was the first one that I did not go out super early on a Friday for. I kind of liked it. That and also using some of the cash back websites to save even more was a plus. I mean even the name "Black Friday" just call it the "Thanksgiving Week Feast of Savings" or something. And how about instead of "Door Busters" they could be "Server Crashing" deals?

I could possibly see the store having a problem with that. They let you in and use it and someone gets hurt, they could be held liable as part of a suit

Sorry JCP too late. I think I had gotten these every year since my daughter was born. She had a nice little collection, it was a stocking stuffer. When the stopped last year, I did not go to JCP for any doorbusters. A few things I might have been tempted for, but without the snow globe, there were better deals elsewhere I wanted to get. If JCP has a good doorbuster that I want, then I will get one, but I will not be going just to get the snow globe this year.

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My wife has wanted to get Fiesta ware for a long time. They had the 5 piece settings for $24.99 each at Black Friday price, plus the 15% off and free shipping and 6% cash back. First time it gave me a total, it was wrong. I clicked on Fiestaware and it showed the $24.99 price on the page, went to the cart again, and the prices were the BF ones all the way thru checkout. Got some Perplexus like games for some smaller kids on the list and a board game 5 Second Rule for some older ones.

So, did I miss out. Right now Amazon says I cannot preorder from them, only other sellers are listed. Will they release units at $199 or should I have ordered from them when it was regular price and they would have price matched it/lowered it?

Well, Best Buy now has the $199 PS3 holiday bundle available online. Went ahead and added that to my amazon wish list. Really hope I can get one at that price thru Amazon and use my credit towards it. COME ON AMAZON, DROP THAT PRICE!!!! :)

Thanks noehlp. Been a reader/follower of this site for a few years, finally registered so I could check out the forums/boards.

Thanks for the info on when they might start. This will be my first black friday trying to get something from Amazon. I've got about $75 in Amazon credit, so I'm hoping I can get the PS3 for $199 - my $75 credit. Mainly want it for the blu ray player, and for a couple of PS3 games.