rockpzazz Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 As the title suggests, I thought I'd ask when everyone's first Black Friday was. I always hear about the good old days and such and I think I caught the tail end of it. My first Black Friday was in 2002. That year I only went to a local Walmart, but by the next year I was hooked, and a couple years later went to about 10 stores I believe. My first Black Friday was also when I saw the closest thing to a fight. Good thing I didn't need a Cabbage Patch Doll or else I might have been mixed into the fight.
LainieB Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 Wow, I'm not sure. 1997 I think? Of course back then I didn't pay much attention to the ads and I didn't have much money. I went mostly just for fun and to get all the free stuff they gave out - bags of free samples, Christmas ornaments, donuts, . . . Now I love finding the best deals, but I still miss the free gifts.
Megara211 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 2011, I went to walmart for a ps3. that was before the management changed at that store, was there at 6 to get my ps3, finally got my ps3 at midnight, cause they had the bright idea of putting checkout for all the gaming systems, tablets, computers, printers, and laptops in one line to pharmacy where they had one register open.Finally got home and my mom took the ps3 box and put it in her closet so I couldn't open it til christmas. 2012 added another couple stops to my list. Then finally last couple of years I've had around 10-12 stops, plus sometimes multiple stops at the same store.
danielle77 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 I've been black friday shopping since1998. The first few years, I only went to walmart, but now I hit quite a few and I try to steer clear of walmart, because they get so crazy, unless they have something i absolutely have to have.
chachn8r Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 I started going back sometime in the mid nineties with my mom and aunt, I was in my early teens then. Back then it was Walmart, Kmart and Mervyns. Now, I've been going with two of my best friends, three 33 year old guys going out for our toys.
len_mullen Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 My mother used to go out the day after Thanksgiving, but it wasn't called Black Friday. I enjoyed shopping with her the day after Thanksgiving in the 60s. The stores literally transformed into Christmas mode overnight. In the 80s, Zayre's department stores stayed open all day and all night Thanksgiving. We stocked the shelves and decorated for Friday and a handful of customers wandered around the stored enjoying Friday's sale priced a day early. I guess that was my first Black Friday.
bribri25 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 I would go with my mom 15-20 years ago, but started going myself probably in 2004. Oh my, how things have changed. I've never had a warmer climate BF; always PA, NY, WI.
audrey06 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 1998- When sales were still just from 5am to 11am! 1
ytmomof4 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 I think the first time I went out it was just casually and that was in maybe 95 or 96.I got serious about going in probably 2001.
mamat2011 Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 The first time I went out it was with my best friends family and that was in the 80s...I started going out myself around 94 when my daughter was born. I sure do miss the "black Friday" I'd take it back instead of the grey Thursday!
tyreejames Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 2004 - my top stores that year were Kay Bee Toys, Best Buy, and Circuit City. I have such fond memories of dragging the big clear trash big Kay Bee gave you through the aisles to check-out; it was great bc you could shop while you were in line.
reallynow Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 My mother and I used to go every year starting in the early 90s. We would hit Kaybee for my younger brother and then the mall, namely Strawbridges (now Macy's). I really miss those BF shopping trips, very fond memories. The "crowds" were more like a secret club who knew something not everyone was hip to. And the freebies, as a teenager I lived for the freebies! LOL 1
LainieB Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 My mother and I used to go every year starting in the early 90s. We would hit Kaybee for my younger brother and then the mall, namely Strawbridges (now Macy's). I really miss those BF shopping trips, very fond memories. The "crowds" were more like a secret club who knew something not everyone was hip to. And the freebies, as a teenager I lived for the freebies! LOLAs a poor college student those freebies were everything to me! 1
Dylansmommy Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 My mother and I used to go every year starting in the early 90s. We would hit Kaybee for my younger brother and then the mall, namely Strawbridges (now Macy's). I really miss those BF shopping trips, very fond memories. The "crowds" were more like a secret club who knew something not everyone was hip to. And the freebies, as a teenager I lived for the freebies! LOLExactly!! I didn't start going until 2005 - had no idea until then! 1
momlori Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 I started going around 1996 when I was a single mom with 2 kids. My mom would watch the kids and I would go for the deals to get as much for as little as possible. Loved the friendly atmosphere of waiting in line and sharing ads until the stores opened and the free gifts you got.
Bopeep Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 The first year I wend was probably 94 or 95, but I can't remember for sure. I know I had overheard something about a sale somewhere. I didn't get up super early or check out ads or anything like that. But, boy did I get swept up in it by the time that day was done! The next year I told my sister she HAD to check this out. It was a well kept secret at that time. We've been hooked ever since. We used to sit with all the ads and leftover pie Thanksgiving night, get a couple hours sleep, then be out the door at about 3:00 am. Christmas music was playing and the people were all friendly (mostly). We loved how we made friends with the kindred spirits in line with us in the wee hours. Ah, the good ole days .
rockpzazz Posted October 23, 2015 Author Posted October 23, 2015 I love hearing all these. So when do you think the "secret" was let out? I forgot about how I first heard about it, but like others I was hooked after the first time. It seemed to grow quite rapidly a couple years after I first started going I remember.
msomnipotent Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 It was 15 or 16 years ago. I told my husband I wanted to get to Circuit City early, so we left the house 15 mins before they opened. My uncle asked me to pick up one of the computers that was on sale, and another person asked for a tv. Why does everyone in my family need me to get them a tv on BF??? But anyway, there was maybe 10 people ahead of me and we got everything we needed. I bought myself a fax machine! I still have it!
delphernina Posted October 23, 2015 Posted October 23, 2015 2001 I was stupid enough to take my newborn with me because I didn't want to leave him at home for my husband to take care of. I learned a lot of things that year. I learned that A. it was not a good idea to take a newborn shopping in the germ factory that was black Friday, B. Carts suck and with a newborn there was just no other option and C. it was a great way to afford Christmas for two little kids. After that I was hooked. It's been progressively getting less fun as my children "age out" of Christmas and as I have more money and have less need of the deals.
Spice9195 Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 I would say the late 90's when about 10 people would be waiting for the store to open.
smurfgirl Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 I've been doing Black Friday since I was about 10 years old! So 25+ years. I loved the freebies you used to get!
angelicswtnss Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 Around 95 or 96. I've been hooked ever since.
Scanner420 Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 I worked for TRU during the Holidays during college (90-92) and swore I'd never go BF shopping because of the craziness. My wife talked me into it when we first started dating 19 years ago in Pa. We were into going out when we moved to S. Jersey, but haven't been out in years due to my work schedule.
redeyejay Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 My then fiance introduced me to the madness in 2005. I got my first JC Penney snow globe that day. 1
HanShotFirst Posted October 24, 2015 Posted October 24, 2015 Somewhere in the early 2000's..... 2001 or 2002 maybe. I went to Walmart to get a new 'big screen" tube TV. Managed to get one of the last ones on the pallet and was barely able to handle it alone. Did this and still managed to get to work on time even with a 30 minute commute. I've been hooked since.
bpr Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 Early 90's while our son was a toddler. We would get in line at KBToys around 4 am for a 5 am opening. Each year we would have to get in line earlier, lol. 1
Lusha121 Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 my first real Black Friday was when I was low man on the totem pole and had to work... 1996 or 97... Witmark. we were right next to a toys r us. One of my best friends worked there. 20-30 people max. The next year I worked at meijer.... the year of the furby. That was just stupid, but I was hooked. I've been doing it every year since then. Its a tradition for my mom and I, and now my sisters and daughter. But I wish it would go back to the good old days........
Elmck Posted October 25, 2015 Posted October 25, 2015 Early 90's while our son was a toddler. We would get in line at KBToys around 4 am for a 5 am opening. Each year we would have to get in line earlier, lol.I think I started about the same time, before that all I heard was how crazy it was but there was something one of the kids wanted at a great deal and I decided to try. I was off and on after that year until my DD was old enough to go with me and we have not missed a year since.
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