Black Friday.

[Kernowfem]

So, here we are in the run up to Christmas. I'm sure we all remember last years "Black Friday" the busiest shopping day of the year, and the news reports it prompted afterwards, Shoppers brawling and arguing and climbing over each other to nab that 42" Blaupunkt TV amongst other things.

I'm interested to know what people think about this phenomena, would you or have you taken part? Or, like me do you find the whole thing somewhat disturbing and run a mile at the thought of participating? Discuss

 

[158747]

I think it's all a load of nonsense and will be staying away from the shops on this day.

 

[Techniquest]

If me and my colleagues could, we'd run far and fast from Black Frothday!

Stupidest idea ever created in retail if you ask me!

 

[GatwickDepress]

It just makes me glad I don't work at a big Tesco store. I bet the electrical departments in the larger superstores just love it.

Black Friday is nearly as pointless as Buy Nothing Day. So... you'll just buy it tomorrow then?

 

[Clip]

I wasn't aware there even was a buy nothing day...

 

[Seacook]

I will avoid the bricks and mortar shopping experience, but many online retailers offer a Black Friday sale so I will take advantage to get a cheaper price on things I will probably buy anyway - DVDs and CDs are the most likely candidates.

All the hullabaloo about it is a fearsome waste of time and effort.

 

[Gemz91]

The You Tube videos posted afterwards of people scrapping over cheap TV's are great to watch.

 

[Minilad]

I'm not sure what is worse. People fighting over cheap TVs or people moaning about people fighting over cheap TVs.
If you don't like it then don't go. But in my mind this is no different to the tradition of Boxing Day sales that saw the same level of hysteria back in the day with people camping out in front of stores and such like

 

[GB]

Stupidest idea ever created in retail if you ask me!

The £millions in the bank would suggest otherwise.

In any case, black Friday over here is not a patch on the USA where it originated.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I'm not sure what is worse. People fighting over cheap TVs or people moaning about people fighting over cheap TVs.
If you don't like it then don't go. But in my mind this is no different to the tradition of Boxing Day sales that saw the same level of hysteria back in the day with people camping out in front of stores and such like

One should ask the length of time that Boxing Day was a historically noted day of the year as well as being been a recognised Bank Holiday (in certain areas) of Britain and, in comparison, the length of time that "Black Friday" has featured as an event in Britain (I object to the name given to it).

Over commercialisation now seems to be the accepted norm where "Temples of Mammon" can ring their tills ever louder and for longer and longer periods of time.

 

[infobleep]

One should ask the length of time that Boxing Day was a historically noted day of the year as well as being been a recognised Bank Holiday (in certain areas) of Britain and, in comparison, the length of time that "Black Friday" has featured as an event in Britain (I object to the name given to it).

Over commercialisation now seems to be the accepted norm where "Temples of Mammon" can ring their tills ever louder and for longer and longer periods of time.

Let's also note the historical length of time that Boxing Day was not a bank holiday in certain parts of the UK.

Also to have a historical length of time, something has to have once been new. If we never did anything new, we wouldn't have trains or computers.

With regards to the shopping frenzy, I won't be taking part but I might look online to see what is on offer.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

The problem is that everyone's forgotten the real story of Black Friday, when Jesus stormed the temple and punched an old man in the face for 20% off a Nespresso.

 

[NSEFAN]

Historically, war was why we developed better machines. Now we have consumerism to speed it up even further. I'm sure those people fighting to get that 42 inch TV are only doing so to fulfil their duty to humanity. For science!

 

[Kernowfem]

The problem is that everyone's forgotten the real story of Black Friday, when Jesus stormed the temple and punched an old man in the face for 20% off a Nespresso.

Jesus prefers a Nespresso? Thought he'd be a Krups man to be honest....

 

[krus_aragon]

I can't recall whether it was last year or this year that I accidentally found that I'd been out shopping on "Black Friday". I'd normally seek to avoid going to shops on principle, as I regard it as an artificial marketing construct. I'm not sure if I've missed it yet this year or not. In a way, I'm glad I don't keep track of when it is.

I have a greater acceptance of Boxing Day sales, as after the run up to Christmas shops need to switch to clearing unsold stock, and this is the first day after Christmas. I've never gone shopping on a Boxing Day myself (it's family time), but I have worked a few, in my retail days. Working in a discount bookshop that opened on Boxing Day required a certain amount of philosophical thinking: we weren't really there for the few hundred pounds of transactions, we were just getting the shop re-merchandised into sale mode with few people in the way.

 

[GB]

I can't recall whether it was last year or this year that I accidentally found that I'd been out shopping on "Black Friday". I'd normally seek to avoid going to shops on principle, as I regard it as an artificial marketing construct. I'm not sure if I've missed it yet this year or not. In a way, I'm glad I don't keep track of when it is.

Black Friday is the day after the USA's thanks giving holiday so should be Friday 27th Nov,

 

[CharlieSpotted]

we weren't really there for the few hundred pounds of transactions, we were just getting the shop re-merchandised into sale mode with few people in the way.

Consider yourself very lucky that you were able to merchanise on Boxing Day! These days, in some retail chains (which will remain anonymous) you'd be doing it overnight on Christmas Eve.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think it's all a load of nonsense and will be staying away from the shops on this day.

Last few years I've done all mine online, this year will be the same. I reserve physical shopping for things like clothes where you want to try the product on first.

 

[TheEdge]

Black Friday, or as it should be known, "Take this for actually a fairly small discount, we need the shelf space for Christmas stock Friday"

 

[RichmondCommu]

In all honesty Black Friday is something that my wife and I avoid like the plague however if you have a young family and don't have much cash its easy to see why people are attracted to it. From the outside it all looks rather crass but if your 5 year old is asking for a toy that you can only afford through a promotion like Black Friday then off to the shops you will go!

 

[Techniquest]

Need the shelf space? It is all brought in especially, shelves had to be cleared for it all the afternoon before.

I forget the name of the guy who posted the real reason behind Black Frothday on here, genius post though!

I hope it rains on all the poor sods who queue up since silly o'clock for stuff they won't get!

 

[GB]

Not sure why your so bitter about it and the people that do shop on black friday. If you don't wan't to get involved then don't...not rocket science:roll:

 

[crehld]

Not sure why your so bitter about it and the people that do shop on black friday. If you don't wan't to get involved then don't...not rocket science:roll:

You don't get much of a choice of your employer requires you to be there!

 

[Tim R-T-C]

This is how people feel when they want to take the train but it is loco hauled and crammed with nutters...!

 

[Busaholic]

As a child I was forced to attend jumble sales, as my father was treasurer at the local church and needed to be there. To see all these women (and I only remember women) coming to fisticuffs over old bedding, or whatever, gave me a loathing of such events and I've never attended a car boot sale on principle. By the same token, to queue and squabble over some item of consumer technology is something I'd never contemplate.

 

[TheEdge]

Not sure why your so bitter about it and the people that do shop on black friday. If you don't wan't to get involved then don't...not rocket science:roll:

Then there is the times when you need to go into a shop or town to go about your legal business. See also football...

 

[WestCoast]

Some people do get a thrill out of queuing up to secure (what they see as) a bargain. Different strokes for different folks. I bet many in those queues wouldn't understand why contemplating the rail network on an internet forum was remotely interesting (or addictive ).

It is however a problem when the situation becomes disorderly or violent, which unfortunately seems to be a very real risk at some retail locations :roll: I feel sorry for the staff.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Black Friday is the day after the USA's thanks giving holiday so should be Friday 27th Nov,

If Black Friday is the day after the USA Thanksgiving holiday, what on earth is it remotely to do with Britain?

 

[Bletchleyite]

You don't get much of a choice of your employer requires you to be there!

There are many sources of employment other than retail if you happen not to like retail.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Some people do get a thrill out of queuing up to secure (what they see as) a bargain

Some argue that it is a modern-day interpretation of hunter-gatherer behaviour and thus natural. Personally I hate it and refuse to go anywhere near it[1], but each to their own.

[1] Shopping in person to me works as follows: 1. research what you intend to purchase, 2. enter shop and acquire the pre-decided item as quickly and efficiently as possible, 3. go and do something more interesting.

 

[Seacook]

If Black Friday is the day after the USA Thanksgiving holiday, what on earth is it remotely to do with Britain?

Not a lot, specifically, but some U.S. based multinationals (for example, HugeSouthAmericanRiver) spread the idea worldwide and UK retailers decided to make use of the publicity to generate some sales and encourage some mayhem.