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Post by Condor on Nov 23, 2007 22:05:21 GMT -5
I am not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I would rather pay a little more than stand in line for hours in the middle of the night then rush in to the stores while people are pushing and shoving all trying to get a "deal" on whatever it is they fancy. Watching the news, makes me glad I just stayed home and do my shopping later. It's a madhouse out there.
Condor
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Nov 23, 2007 22:49:53 GMT -5
Actually, I went shopping tonight, with Matt, and bought him a $99.99 TV/DVD combo. He has no clue. I took him shopping and asked HIM all the questions I needed to know (ie, does it work w/Playstation 2/3, can you play Guitar Hero on it, does it have all the hookups necessary, etc etc, because I am thinking about buying it for your older brother.) The local Alco people were my 'elves'; once they got the go-ahead, they stuck it in my van, threw the old blanket over it and pretended nothing was going on. It was snowing, so Matt could not see in the windows. Then, I decided to trash the TV idea and buy the older brother a digital camera, and 'can you help me out with that, Matt?' He did, but he also thought his brother would like the TV better, gave me lots of reasons why.
Here's me, doing the 'rocking hula', because he has no clue! I took care of the 2 big presents in one fell swoop! (Bought the dig. camera for the older son.) Now I can have fun w/stocking stuffers and the little fun stuff.
Oh yeah, it's almost Christmas; Oh yeah, I've got some presents; Oh yeah....I can't wait to see Matt's face on Christmas morning! What a hoot.
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Post by akansan on Nov 23, 2007 22:59:13 GMT -5
LOL - now here's hoping he doesn't pop in to read this thread!
I avoid Black Friday morning especially at all costs. I'll go out in the afternoon (once those who've been up since midnight have faded) and pick up a few things, but I avoid the crush of the morning.
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Post by Bikerrandy on Nov 23, 2007 23:21:21 GMT -5
I stayed home today. I'll wait another day and spend the extra 5 bucks. lol
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2007 23:46:07 GMT -5
I dont even leave the house on Black Friday. I hate shopping on a normal day let alone on a day when people are getting into fights and hitting each other with shopping carts. Oh, and stealing things out of each others carts also.
Shannon
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raqy
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 799
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Post by raqy on Nov 23, 2007 23:57:45 GMT -5
I used to love to go. Its been a couple of years now that we don't go, tho. It got brutal, people were mean to each other and there's no reason to go thru all that for a couple of bucks off regular price. Besides the deals aren't that great anymore. I'm into cybershopping anyway. The lines are shorter ha.
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Nov 23, 2007 23:59:00 GMT -5
Like Matt would 'pop in'.... NOT! But, it was actually his idea to go shopping, his dad's bday is Sunday, and he wanted to find a gift. We did, new seat covers for the pickup.
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Post by joe on Nov 24, 2007 1:13:53 GMT -5
I'm with the hermits! What a miserable time to be out.
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Post by rockds on Nov 24, 2007 1:20:47 GMT -5
I could care less about shopping period (rocks not included). My wife, however, enjoys it and her fav place to go (country club plaza) turns on the Christmas lights on Friday. So we go, eat, walk around, shop a little and wait till 5 when the light come on. Then we walk around some more and look at the lights. Again, I could care less but this is something she really likes to do and it's important to me that she gets to enjoy it.
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Nov 24, 2007 2:29:19 GMT -5
Small towns don't have Black Friday crowds per se....Hubby wanted to go to Menards by 7 a.m. Central (we are on Mountain time, plus a 100 mile drive). I said, "Here's the car keys!" He stayed home and watched football. We are trying to 'shop in town' if we can. Rockds, more power to you for being a patient hubby. You rock!
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KG1960
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2008
Posts: 512
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Post by KG1960 on Nov 24, 2007 7:52:44 GMT -5
Several years ago my brother and I thought we might get to Best Buy when it opened (we didn't camp out all night like others did). This was in suburban Chicago. We were there when the doors opened, but by the time we got in, the items we were interested in were sold out except for one. Then it took a hour to get through the check out line. We never since even gave doing this again a thought.
This year the family all went to my brother's house in Decatur, and we stayed in a motel (a lot more comfortable than sleeping bags on the floor). On the way back to the motel on Thursday night, we passed a Best Buy and there were people camped out at 10 p.m. and weather was supposed to be lower 20's. Crazy!!
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Nov 24, 2007 13:32:28 GMT -5
Insanity ensues!
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Post by stoner on Nov 24, 2007 14:33:54 GMT -5
It will be another month before I go do my Christmas shopping! The media keeps talking about last minute shoppers-a week before Christmas. To me, last minute shopping is 11:59pm, on Dec 24th!
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Nov 24, 2007 14:57:09 GMT -5
My wife and I were laughing...we didn't get out of bed till around 10AM on Black Friday, latest we've slept in years..we definitely march to a different beat
csroc
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Post by ladyt on Nov 24, 2007 17:05:18 GMT -5
I went out. I wanted that camera. My hubby and I got up at 3am, went to the BP for coffee, was in line at Best Buy at 3:45. The doors opened at 5 am. We got in the store at 6 am. Went to the camera section, got my camers, out the door at 7 am, went to Perkins for breakfast. Got back home at 8:30 am, went backto bed till 1 pm. Important thing, I got my camera!!!! We don't usually go out, but I saved 60 bucks on the camera. We had a blast, laughing at everyone fighting over tv's and computers. I have to say though, Best Buy had it set up good. Nobody could butt in line and they handed tickets out for the Big Items so there was no reason for people to push and shove. They even had tons of items that were on sale. It was a fun morning.
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Post by Lady B on Nov 24, 2007 21:59:45 GMT -5
I haven't shopped on Black Friday since the original Cabbage Patch Doll craze back in the 1980s. We were living in Baltimore. It was bitter cold that day. That was one scary experience watching people trample each other to get to the dolls. Ironically it was at a "Best"--a store that pretty much went the way of all things over the years but back in the day it had marvelous sales and savings. So there I went. I got to the shopping center about 6AM...I had to choose between trying for a doll at Best or a TI computer at Toys-R-Us. The line was shorter at Best so there I went. I have an innate fear of pushing crowds and could feel the panic rising as the clock ticked closer to 7 AM (we weren't as insane back then, I guess, because the stores were only opening at 7 instead of 4 or 5AM like now.) I stood there looking in the huge plate glass windows at all the treasures inside, including a pyramid of Cabbage Patch Dolls. Finally the manager approached the doors along with a cadre of store security guards. I don't actually remember walking into the store when the doors opened...it was more like being swept along on a fluid moving floor. And then suddenly I was near the pyramid. As people surged forward my panic increased and I actually stepped back. Suddenly there was the store manager at the top of a red and silver step ladder (odd what we remember from panicky times). He explained that in his store he would not tolerate unruly behavior and further, he would not allow greed to take over the Holiday Season. So his store's policy was " ONE and ONLY ONE" Cabbage Patch Doll per customer. THe woman who was right in front of me had somehow snagged two dolls and was trying to get to a check-out when the manager made his announcement. It was quite clear that he meant what he said. This woman then looked at the two dolls she was holding , looked at me, and said: "Here, I don't want this one." And there I was, holding a Cabbage Patch Doll for my daughter without ever having to even get close to the by now toppled pyramid. After I paid for the doll for my daughter I walked around the corner of the shopping center to the Toys-R-Us store. Walked right in. A security guard explained that there were no more CP Dolls to be had. I said I was there in hopes of getting one of the TI computers on sale. He pointed to a stack of a hundred or so and said: "Looks like you came to the right place, Ma'am!" And boy had I ever...no hassles, no lines even at that point (7:30) and I had managed to get the very most special gifts for both my daughter and my son. ;D That was a very good Christmas...but then Bob and I have been blessed with so many wonderful Christmases. It was the last time though that I ever braved the crowds on Black Friday. But when I remember the looks of joy and delight on Eliza's and Tim's young faces, it was worth every moment of my panicky experience. In honor of the CRAZINESS of the shopping season I've written a little poem--it is sung to the melody of "Hark the Herald Angels". ~!~ ~!~ ~!~ PARODY OF CHRISTMAS
Hark! the eager cashiers sing-- “Go on! Buy that diamond ring, Bracelets, chains, and baubles wild. Hope your checkbook’s reconciled.”
Gifts all wrapped with big red bows. “Please come buy before it snows.” “What is Christmas after all, If not the biggest SALES! since Fall?”
Hark! the harried sales clerks cry, Thank God it’s Christmas! Buy, buy, buy!” Safe shopping to all and to all the Happiest of Holiday Happenings! Lady B
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Nov 25, 2007 15:02:30 GMT -5
I remember the Cabbage Patch Doll craze. People were freaking outover those dolls. I had boys so I didn't have to go through the lunacy myself.
The only toy I was ever worried about getting for my boys was the first Nintendo and the Legend of Zelda game but that was small potatoes compared to the lines for todays video games
I hate hearing people call it "Black Friday". Sounds so sinister. Can't stop progress so I guess the name sticks.
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Nov 27, 2007 10:17:27 GMT -5
We finished almost all our shopping the week before T-Day- But did get out on Friday- I managed to hit an old lady that just stopped dead in the aisle ("sorry Ma'am- but I guess you should really keep it moving") Then I knocked over some stuff that was hanging off a shelf (and right in fornt of the Floor Manager- "oops sorry- guess you guys should make sure the aisles are clear for the shoppers"- Also managed to grab the last Perfection Game off the shelf (hehehe- this lady was asking her Husband if he thought little Jimmy would like perfection- when she turned her back I grabbed it and ran- hehehe) Then- Just so My karma would equal out- I handed my cart to a lady with 3 screaming kids- and held it steady as she got them all loaded into the cart (there were no carts left in the store) As we left the store- I told my wife that I WAS NEVER EVER going shopping again!
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Nov 27, 2007 14:42:31 GMT -5
Nope, no "black Friday" shopping, but I often do dress in all black!
Ron
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Post by Tonyterner on Nov 27, 2007 16:17:48 GMT -5
I gotta admit I am weird. I'm not big on shopping, well other than food shopping, and I don't go out on black friday. I do most of X-mas shopping the last 3 days before Christmas. I usually hate crowds but if I wait until then they don't bother me at all. I guess I just get in the Christmas spirit. Now driving, well I hate that normally so this time of year I'm usually going bonkers. Almost time to leave work, now where did I put my meds. ;D
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