erose630 Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 I have a well-oiled machine of a team to shop with every year on black friday, we all have our roles to play. My mother-in-law's job is to grab a shopping cart when we enter a store and immediately get in line - then we fan out throughout the store picking up sales and dropping them in her cart. One idea we're bouncing around this year is purchasing a safety flag - typically used on bicycles - for her to clip to her cart...making it easier for us to find her. Has anyone done anything like this in the past? Any words of caution? http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/116cvhBSScL._SY445_.jpg
bigjimslade Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 I could see two problems with this. 1. The safety issue if the flag gets borken off it could hurt someone or even you. 2. You could be a target of shoppers who see this flag and might mistake it for an offical something and take items out of your cart or try to start something. Other then that it is a good idea.
erose630 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Posted November 7, 2013 I hadn't thought about the flag breaking - but I did have some concerns about other shoppers harassing my poor mother in law I guess I'll leave it up to her
Bopeep Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 maybe a helium balloon instead, to get rid of the liability of a broken stick? 2
jgm8 Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 I have found that not many people are wearing bright colors on BF.... If I have a cart partner, that person wears a neon color. It isn't as easy to see as the flag depending on the person's height... But it has always helped.
ISU ME Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 It might be easier to have her just wear a really bright jacket or hat?
mcwalker Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 I think those plastic flag "poles" are quite flexible, as they are meant to be hit in a bike spill or low garage ceiling. I don't think breakage is likley. And it will be pointing up, not at people. Sounds like a good idea.
pogiporkchop Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 If you choose to go with a flag you could always customize it to lower the chances of being mistaken for an official thing. You're more likely, I think, to run into problems with the balloons because kids always ask for them and lots of stores mark specials and ends of lines with them. Of course you could come up with one really outrageous hat...
kranky Posted November 7, 2013 Posted November 7, 2013 Seems like a great idea to me, assuming it's tall enough to be seen above shelves and displays. I wouldn't worry about people thinking it's anything special since you're not leaving it unattended, right?
erose630 Posted November 7, 2013 Author Posted November 7, 2013 Correct - it will always be attended - I think we'll try it out, if it's a nightmare we won't use it after the first store I'll let everyone know how it goes!
LCPanther1975 Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 We always put my sister in law in line with the buggy. we are mostly WalMart shoppers.
diana03 Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 Have her get a Christmas hat. Check Amazon as they have a lot of cute hats that sit up high or even a snow flake headband would be cute!!
Deal Grabber Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 OMG this is the funniest thing ive ever heard.Sounds like a well thought out plan.lol.gl.
Pnambic Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 Am I the only person who thought of animal "marking" when reading the thread title? Probably....sorry. I don't think stores take kindly to that kind of behavior, though I've seen worse... Flag idea sounds great to me. Use a sharpie if you want to customize the flag....though maybe having her as a fake deal decoy could draw some of the other shoppers away from the deals you're looking for. 3
momlori Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 When I first read this I thought "seriously" but after thinking about it, it is an awesome idea. Just hope not too many other pick it up
Tara3117 Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 I think this is brilliant! I don't think I've seen anything like it. Could you get a fun mylar balloon that no one would think is the store's marker? Maybe something totally random? Let us know how this works!
verchad Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 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 1
Pnambic Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 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 Yea, but the same thing could be said about a baby's bottle. If the baby dropped it, someone could step on it and fall and hurt themselves.I doubt the store will mind, so long as you don't take a Target flag into Walmart or something...
allshoppedout Posted November 9, 2013 Posted November 9, 2013 I would do a HOT PINK or NEON GREEN sock or decoration on top of a headband you already have (has to have some height especially if she is NOT tall, like me) that way it'll be UNIQUE, who knows someone else could use your idea if they read this thread and end up at your stores, lol.
jaymacfla Posted November 11, 2013 Posted November 11, 2013 I would ask permission and show the manager how it would be utilized. The hat idea is a good one. Just think cat in the hat. 1
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