Official "What did you buy? / How were the crowds?" Thread

[Brad]

Forgot to start this one so better late than never... 

 

As always, let's have this single thread for you to share what deals you scored, both online and in stores, as well as any experiences you feel like sharing about the ordering/shopping process.

Also, if you went to any physical brick & mortar stores, let the rest of us know how that went. How big were the crowds?

[Bopeep]

Honestly, we went out today out of pure tradition. I had bought everything I needed online.  My biggest take away from the online sales is Walmart could learn a lot from Target’s curbside. LOL

 

We started this morning at Walmart. We got there about 7:30, and it was pretty dead. Everywhere we went after that though was busy. Not normal BF busy, but busy. 

 

I finished my day picking up my last order at Walmart. I had included in my order one little item that wasn’t on the BF sale, so of course they separated it out. I had to pick up 2 orders. On opposite sides of the store. I was irritated at the inconvenience but then the real kicker was the SAME poor guy brought both of my orders out. Like I said, the pick up locations were seriously on opposite sides of the store! Why the heck didn’t they just put my little glue dots in with the other stuff?? They were running those poor people ragged.

[ilikefree]

We started out at Menards around 5:30 this morning. We were maybe #50 or so in line. The worst part was the cold and wind. Last year they just let us in when we got there because of covid but this year the doors didn't open till 6:00. There were plenty of people there but it wasn't nearly as crowded as years past. It's normally shoulder to shoulder in there but not today. I'm guessing it was because they didn't have their ads out early. We got everything in there we went after. We made another trip in a while later and noticed that a lot of the items that were running low had been restocked so they had plenty of merchandise. And the craziest part was that the cashiers were standing there waiting for people to check out. We went to other stores too and the crowds weren't bad at all.

[momlori]

Went to Target a little later in the morning and not abnormally busy. The toys were low

[HanShotFirst]

The only store I went into today after work was Belk at 5:30 pm. It was crowded but not unlike any normal Saturday afternoon. The holiday items were picked over. The luggage sets were wiped out. Didn’t really go all over the store though. I did end up spending $94 on clothes and a Christmas themed sheet set for me though so time well spent. Everything else was purchased earlier and online for store pickup, which was fairly easy and flawless this year. I still need to compile my annual “what I bought” list though. LOL Edited November 27, 2021 by HanShotFirst

[bribri25]

Started with Menards at 930. Store was pretty empty, comparatively. No waiting to check out; everything in plenty of stock.

 

Then to Joann. I only needed 1 item but couldn't get curbside pickup working so decided to see how the crowd was. Checkout was 3 people deep so I went for it. Got sidetracked by B1G3free Wrapping Paper, snagged. Needed poster board along with the mini clothespins I was after. By the time I got back to to front, the line was 12 people long. Ugh (it was 35 people long by the time I checked out...so still not bad). Still waited 25 minutes to check out.

 

Nixed home depot and harbor freight from my stop list. Got gasoline and eggs and went home.

[dantegirl]

I bought everything online this year but went to Menards this AM to grab some items for my sister in law. I was able to go in early and barely anyone there. Plenty of merchandise for everyone. I actually picked up a few things for Easter baskets since the prices were good and also the $0.89 wrapping paper for next year. Grabbed some extra dog toys too, can't run out of those [emoji14]

[cllehto]

I got most stuff online when the store sales first started. 

 

I went today to Kohl's at around 8AM. There were quite a few people there but nothing like a normal Black Friday. They had a lot of merchandise but were out of several sizes and colors. At check out we walked right up to a cashier-way better than the normal check out of waiting in the line that went from the cashiers to the back of the store and down the middle aisle. Shopping was much easier because the aisles were not blocked by the checkout lines. It was a little harder to find stuff because they changed things some when they put the Sephora store in the middle of Kohl's.

 

After lunch we went to Walmart. They had a lot of some items and were out of others. I wasn't looking for anything in particular so I'm not sure if the popular items were in stock but there was not a lot of empty shelf space. Several of the big boxes containing their Black Friday specials in the middle of the aisles were empty. Some had been filled with different items. It was crowded in the aisles but not nearly as crowded as a normal Black Friday. They were almost out of potted Christmas trees-5 in nursery pots and 6-7 in ceramic pots left. The trees were more expensive than last year and the soil was dry. Hopefully it will spring back with a little water. We were able to go right to a cashier for check out.

 

I did not go to nearly as many stores as usual because I already shopped online for some stuff. 

[bluebear]

I found out Wednesday night that some Targets had gotten in the Xbox mini fridge. So I went out this morning for that, as all my other shopping had been online. I didn't get up and out there until 10:30, and they still had one. Hooray! So that is my big exciting buy.

 

The parking lot was pretty full, but inside wasn't very crowded, I've been in busier Saturdays. Had to only wait on one person at checkout.

 

This evening about 6 my husband had to go pick up an order at Best Buy. He said the target parking lot was a nightmare, it was very crowded inside, and there were 15 people in line at electronics. Best Buy also had a pretty long line, but he said the associates were going through picking out the people picking up orders, so it didn't take too long.

Edited November 27, 2021 by bluebear

[len_mullen]

I didn't buy anything on BF, but I did buy a color changing, dimmable smart bulb for $0.99 from Amazon via Alexa. Say, "Alexa, show my deals," add the bulb (first deal) to your cart, then check out (I did this on my PC).  Choose no rush shipping for a $1 digital credit.  Yup, Amazon will pay you a penny to take this bulb off their hands.

 

Also, search your email for 'Discover Amazon'.  I got a promotion offering $10 off a qualifying purchase if I changed my default payment method to Discover.  I used the credit to get a Zenith Industries ZN700001 Trim Puller for $14.60.  Also got $1 for no rush shipping.

 

I'm going to use the digital credits to purchase this mp3...

 

The Rain, The Park & Other Things (Single Version) by The Cowsills on Amazon Music - Amazon.com

 

[Kanyon71]

We went to Target, Walmart, JC Penny, ABC Warehouse, Sam’s Club and drive by many more. Only place we waited in line to check out was JCP and the line was huge the cashiers were just slow. No complaints though.

 

We got everything we wanted and some stuff we didn’t know we wanted lol. Lots of stuff was purchased online and is already here.

 

I got thenAirPod Pro from Sam’s so I was happy about that. Was sort of an odd system. Had to get a ticket from one guy walk up to another guy he got them, then we had to do the scan and go and checkout right there. I guess making sure you actually pay for them.

[Giraffe34]

I got the Apple watch from Walmart online on Monday.  I went to the store on Friday to get additional things I wanted.  It was a basic crowd, not anything close to normal Black Friday crowds.  I bought an air mattress, two gift sets, sheet set, two Roku LEs, Skullcandy wireless ear buds.   I then went to Walgreens and got a gift set there.  I also hit up Target last Sunday, when there Black Friday sale first started, and picked up a gift set,  X box and PS5 video games, and two LOL toys. 

 

Hope everyone else got what they wanted.

[len_mullen]

I didn't buy anything on BF, but I did buy a color changing, dimmable smart bulb for $0.99 from Amazon via Alexa. Say, "Alexa, show my deals," add the bulb (first deal) to your cart, then check out (I did this on my PC).  Choose no rush shipping for a $1 digital credit.  Yup, Amazon will pay you a penny to take this bulb off their hands.

 

I went back and bought the Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring as well. It was $3.49 after Alexa credit and I got another $1 digital credit. Now I can add this to my library...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Hair/dp/B001NZRG80

 

The Cowsills Hair 1969 IN COLOR !! - YouTube

[tracy0504]

I bought mostly everything online earlier in the week... I managed to go out to pick up the orders that weren’t shipped to me and it was around noonish so the real “rush” of BF was over... I ended picking up $5 pjs for my g’son @ Walmart before I picked up my order of a Roku and Rubbermaid containers, some boots and a scarf from JCP, the batteries at Home Depot, only I believe they were out of the 40 pk so I got a couple of 60 packs marked at the same price (they were kind of dusty so I hope they aren’t too old [emoji23])... My last stop was the Christmas Tree Shop where I got my boxes of 42 k-cups for $9.99 each, I got 3 boxes and grabbed a couple holiday door mats... the crowds weren’t bad, not nearly what one would expect on BF and the long lines I encountered at JCP and Christmas Tree Shop moved quickly... Edited November 27, 2021 by tracy0504

[HanShotFirst]

For someone that swore she wasn’t going to buy much I sure ended up buying quite a bit of stuff…..

 

Online shopping from Kohl’s, Walmart, Ace Hardware, Best Buy and Target prior to Friday.

Kohl’s: 2 Big One throws (smh)

Target: $10 Hamilton Beach toaster and one beauty gift set at 30% off

Ace Hardware: batteries and one red and green LED light bulb each 

Best Buy: Apple Watch SE, 2 movies and one outdoor smart plug

Walmart Event 1:  2 books and a movie

Walmart Black Friday: mattress pad, 2 pillows and 2 of the onn dual port wall chargers

Dollar General (in-store Thanksgiving night): discounted Lowe’s gift card

Belk (in store Friday night):  clothes and a new everyday jacket for me and a holiday print sheet set for me

QVC throughout October/November: I don’t wanna talk about it. LOL

[Kanyon71]

We just went to Home Depot and got one of the Blink Video Doorbells. Not expecting much for $35. Wife ordered some stuff from Kohls we are headed there to pick it up. Might jump on Amazon and get an echo show to go with the doorbell.

[len_mullen]

We just went to Home Depot and got one of the Blink Video Doorbells. Not expecting much for $35. Wife ordered some stuff from Kohls we are headed there to pick it up. Might jump on Amazon and get an echo show to go with the doorbell.

 

Amazon.com: Blink Outdoor 2 Cam Kit bundle with Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) : Amazon Devices & Accessories

[vern28]

Went out all day, stores were not packed at all. Every store we went to had at least 2 items that were in the ad but didn't get any in.. not much stock in stores especially the craft stores. I was looking for xmas decorations at them and shelves were empty. It was kind of scary to see such low crowds and inventory.

[Illinoismom]

As others I did 99.9 % of my shopping on line. Did venture out about 8:00 AM Walmart dead, needed a 25 strand light replacement, bought some sharpies, and a table cloth. Next stop lowes to pick up an on line order, Tree bag and ornament bag. Then to Hobby lobby didn't buy anything to mention. Then to Home goods, bought a new tree skirt and mantle cover. Biggest score was at Costco 40 pack batteries  for 12.79 So very happy 

[lucyismycat]

No lines to speak of, hit Walmart first at around 10am. They had pallets of everything still just sitting there (I went back this evening for groceries and the same stuff was there, so I picked up another sheet set).

 

Then we went to Macys. A few more people there but nothing crazy. I had ordered stuff online earlier on Thursday, but I did pick up a fluffy blanket with two pillows. I’m glad I ordered online because the stuff I ordered never showed up at our store.

 

Next up was H&M for a few things for my youngest DS.

 

Also went to Scheels and Sams Club, just to look around, and JCPenneys. I wanted a vest they had in the ad but our store didn’t receive any, so I ordered online while I was at the store. My mom tried to buy a hoodie for my DH but it rang up $10 more than it was supposed to, so she left it there.

 

Lines weren’t bad anywhere we went. The only thing my mom wanted and got the last of was the Rubbermaid containers at Sams. Everything else was well stocked if the store got the items to begin with.

[mgreen]

Just went to Ashley's - didn't win $5000, bummer. Other than that pretty much online only. I went to WM on Friday, seemed to be a lot of stuff available from the ads. Grabbed a couple more items. Got stuff from today's after black friday sales. Wi-Fi extenders from costco, my sister ordered a system from simplisafe with their black friday deals and I got some extra parts for my system with her 60% discount. Got a few odds and ends at Bed, Bath & Beyond with their 25% off coupon which ended today. Went to Macy's on Friday, my sister was looking for a few items. I picked up a couple of star wars clothing items for me and my son. Really all minor stuff.

 

Oh, forgot..got my grandaughter a new cell phone with the walmart deal. Got my daughter's new phone a few weeks earlier from target with their deal. Also got the Ninja Creami and Fiesta serveware from Kohl's and extra pint jars for the Creami from Kohl's. I just realized today that my pint jars never came and they had cancelled my order. I got the same items for almost free when I called to complain because the items were still available on the website. They gave me the same discounts I had on my first order. Got my husband the new Adele CD from Target. Got the special edition motion clock and $30 in coldstone gift cards for $20 from Sam's club.

 

Wow, I forgot about a lot of stuff. I guess because the sales were so spread out they don't seem like black friday purchases. Some of these items were ordered as early as November 6th.

Edited November 29, 2021 by mgreen

[tyreejames]

All of my Black Friday purchases were online. It felt funny not going out Friday but there was nothing that I needed and I just didn’t feel like dealing with the crowds.

 

Target (Sunday): 65 inch tv, a few beauty gift sets at 30% off, and a PlayStation Plus and Nintendo online membership.

 

Macy’s (Sunday): coat for DS14

 

Nike (Sunday): clothes for DS14

 

Walmart (Monday): 40 inch tv, gaming laptop, and 4’ Santa

 

Northface (Thanksgiving): coat for DD11

[abentley]

I admit most of my shopping was done before Black Friday. I am in school full time, and working full time, and also have my girls get away vacation the weekend after. So I seriously pace and prepare myself. 
So my impulse buy was an extra PS5 to get to someone that wasn’t able to get their hands on one. I don’t know who yet……but someone will be happy.  My kids have had their for a year, and I know some people are still trying. No, I never charge extra…..this is as close to being Santa as I could ever get. 

[jtitus2014]

Did 99% of my shopping online. 

 

Kohl's- Spent $345. I got 4 Big One throws, 9 pairs of kids jeans, 2 pair boys fleece joggers, 12 kids shirt, 2 kids hoodie, 3 pairs of Nike's for my kids, and 2 Wet brushes for my girl's, I got back $90 in Kohl's cash plus $15 in Kohl's rewards that will be converted on the 1st. Spent the $90 on my oldest daughter some Scentworx shower gel, lotion, and body spray. I also got my oldest son another pair of Nike's and another Nike shirt. When the $15 gets converted I am putting that towards my oldest a pair of black leggings. My goal was to spend under $800 on clothes for the kids for winter this year (I have 4 kids). 

 

Rack Room Shoes- Nike Air Max shoes for my oldest. Paid $60, originally $90 so $30 in savings. 

 

Walmart- 40 inch Onn tv- $140 with tax. Samsung A42 phone- $99 with contract plan. It's for my almost 9 year old so didn't want to spend a ton of money on a more expensive phone until I know he will take care of it. 3 pack kids undies for $5.50 each so $16.50 total. Mickey Mouse big blind bag. 1:6 Jeep Wrangler RC toy- $49 with tax. In store I did snag a Baby Yoda Bop it! for $10.00 and the Rainbow Magic Mixies but I don't know if $54 was Walmart's regular price for that. 4 pairs of girl's jeans for $7.50 each. 

 

Target- 4 of the 3 month Game Pass Ultimate plans. Paid $100 for 12 months so not bad at all on that. Basketball for $10 and Basketball goal for $140 with tax, originally it was $219 before tax. 3 packs of flash cards that was B2G1 so paid roughly $6. Good stocking stuffer for my 6 year old. Axe body wash gift set for $7 and a razor gift set for $7 that was included in Target's 30% off. 

 

Amazon- 2 pack Mickey Mouse pajamas (our Walmart didn't get in any for some reason this year) for $12. Little doll with horse playset for $5. Glitter Babyz for $17, originally $32. Got my husband a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses for $90, originally $180. iPad stylus (Not Apple Pencil) for $25. 3 kids books from their B2G1 special. Barbie color Surprise reveal for $30. 

 

Best Buy- HP Chromebook for $149.

 

This is just from the actual Black Friday ads and doesn't include pre Black Friday ads. I got tons from the earlier sales. 

[Kanyon71]

Snagged another copy of Cobra Kai from Target for $9.99 this evening. Got one for our daughter and one for our nephew.

[bossy1]

Did not buy much as grands are getting season passes to Zoo and Skyzone..did buy sonicare toothbrushes, xmas pjs(grands) and a few misc. things mostly due to the fact I am moving from 3000 SQ ft house to a 1100 sq ft apt in 2 weeks..have been downsizing for months. As for crowds here there were NONE..was totally suprised but it was really nice. 

[mcwalker]

This was a very slow Black Friday for me.  I didn't even look through most ads until Wednesday due to heavy work load.  We were traveling in Plymouth MA for Thanksgiving this year.  I was at Walmart at 6:00 AM when they opened to check on Wrangler jeans that I buy most years, but knew that they have additional sizes online, so I walked out without buying anything and ordered two pair of jeans and a Magic Bullet later in the day.  Stopped by Kohls and found a wallet for my birthday and CVS for free toothpaste.  Returned to two other Kohl's later in the evening with my wife who was looking for towels as a gift.

 

I found out late that my wife wants a "stick" vacuum for Christmas, so I did a bit of research and looked at some in Kohls, but didn't buy one yet.  I need to do a bit more research and will buy one later.

 

There was a good line at the Walmart when I arrived, but we all got in within a few minutes after opening.  No place I saw was crowded.  For the first time in years, I didn't even go to a Target, Home Depot, or many other stores.

Edited November 29, 2021 by mcwalker

[jesusluvu]

We just went to Home Depot and got one of the Blink Video Doorbells. Not expecting much for $35. Wife ordered some stuff from Kohls we are headed there to pick it up. Might jump on Amazon and get an echo show to go with the doorbell.

I ordered it from Amazon as I needed the white housing and Home Depot only had the black. I already have the camera and now I can keep everything in one ecosystem. 

[jesusluvu]

Over all I did not but a lot on BF, but that was because I was ordering things as the deals were trickled out. I did go to Walmart first as I needed the apple watch and a few things that I could not get online. I then went to Home Depot as Target did not open until 7. Went to Target, stopped buy Sams (disappointing), headed to the mall and hit up JC Penny, Macys, shoe stores, Hollister, Forever 21, Bath and Body works, and Apple. All in all alot of walking and no buying. Should have been back home by 11am (left at 3am - old school) but did not get home until after 4pm. 

[freesia39]

I bought a pair of boots from Macy’s earlier in the week (and already received them, they’re too big).. and now they’re on sale for nearly 10 bucks less for Cyber Monday. Oh well, they’re going back anyways.