Should We Shop on Black Friday?

[jeffrey]

I recently wrote an article about 8 reasons that you shouldn't shop on Black Friday. My basic reasoning was as follows:

1. You don't need the stuff.
2. You can use the time spent standing in line better.
3. You likely won't get what you went for.
4. There are Black Friday experts that already have the best items.
5. You'll end up buying things you never intended to buy
6. You forget to calculate the true cost and only look at the price.
7. Black Friday prices aren't always that great.
8. You can do it from home at your computer.

In response, I received this email

I just read your article about saving money by not shopping on Black Friday. I also saw a headline for an article stating that consumer spending was very low in October. As someone who works in retail, and who needs the job in order to help support (feed) my family, I don't appreciate your writing these kinds of articles. No, I don't want to see people overspend on things they don't need, but Black Friday sales are very important to stores like my employer, and there are very good deals to be had if people want to make the effort. Plus, there's a real fun feeling and atmosphere on this day with a lot of joking with the customers, etc. There are always all these articles on the Internet about how "people don't need to spend money" or "don't open credit cards". Then everyone wonders why our economy is suffering. I for one, hope that Black Friday sales will be good this year, in spite of your insufferable article, and that I won't be laid off because of it.

Do you think I do a disservice to people trying to make a living by saying that people should skip Black Friday?

[rob62521]

I thought the purpose of the forums was to express one's opinion and you gave your opinion and persuasive reasons why. I see no problem with that. As an educator I don't like it when people bash teachers, but that's a part of life.

Personally, I've only shopped once on Black Friday and that was two years ago...the store had a kitchen appliance I really wanted for a good price. I waited in line for over an hour. I like the appliance, but I wonder if it was worth the hassle of getting up at 4 a.m. and then fighting the crowds.

Fox News predicts folks better shop early for Christmas, even before Thanksgiving:

Early-Bird Holiday Shoppers Might Do Better Than Usual This Year - FOXBusiness.com

[cschin4]

No. I don't think you do a "disservice". It is your opinion and this is a financial forum so of course you are trying to make a point from the financial.
As for BF, sometimes I go just for the fun of shopping on that day. It can be a lot of fun as there are so many people out, everyone seems to be in a good mood post turkey day and it is very enjoyable. Sometimes I just go out to browse and then we make a day of it, go out for lunch, etc.
Other times, I just don't want to be bothered dealing with the crowds.
From a financial point, for me, it makes no difference whether I shop on Friday or not. I am going to buy whatever I am going to buy for Christmas gifts. If I don't get them that day, it will just be another day instead.

[maat55]

I did it once, and will NEVER do it again. If you want to know what is worse than a jail, be in a department store on black friday. Especially, the electronics and toy departments.

P.S. No I don't really know what a jail is like.

[MonkeyMama]

I know people who are convinced that they save money on black friday, and maybe they do. (I am not entirely convinced, that this is the best sale of the year). But I just don't think it is worth the risk of life and limb. (People have been trampled on Black Friday, etc.). Just SO not worth it if you ask me. It seems every year on the news there are a lot of injuries at our local stores, etc.

To the concerned e-mailer: I wouldn't worry about it - plenty of people seem to LOVE Black Friday.

[sweeps]

It's a tradition for us to do Black Friday. We don't buy too much -- just the really good deals. I agree if you're looking for good deals, 90% of the time you can do better at other time and/or on the Web.

I can understand the emailer's concern at a personal level, but the bigger picture is that we shouldn't be manufacturing and selling a lot of crap just to keep people in business. People should be employed in areas that are productive for society. IMHO.

[KatieNK]

Hmm, those tips might be true for some but not all.

For instance, if we need a big ticket item, we wait until Black Friday to see if it is cheaper. We usually only buy what we came for, unless it is a super good deal but usually we stick to the plan. And we love waiting in line and buying on Black Friday so it is not a waste of time for us. We enjoy spending the time together.

[KatieNK]

Originally Posted by MonkeyMama

(People have been trampled on Black Friday, etc.). Just SO not worth it if you ask me. It seems every year on the news there are a lot of injuries at our local stores, etc.

Just don't go to Walmart! That is the scary place. Also, Target can get kinda bad. Places like the mall, craft stores are more mellow. Also, our Best Buy, is SO super organized and they don't put up with any crap.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by jeffrey

Do you think I do a disservice to people trying to make a living by saying that people should skip Black Friday?

Absolutely not. That would be like saying we do people a disservice here by posting advice to invest 15% of your income or max out your retirement plan rather than spending that money.

This country is overrun with stores and they are building more all the time. We don't need them all. People have way too much stuff already. They don't need more excuses to spend their money, even if that means someone won't have a job as a result.

Yes, retail is having a rough year. Why? Because people are starting to wake up and realize how foolishly they spend their money. And yes, some stores will not survive this economic cycle and many jobs will be lost. But for someone to suggest that you are doing something wrong by encouraging people to live more responsibly is insane.

Every day, I advise and counsel my patients to eat healthier diets, exercise regularly and take their medications as ordered. The reality is that if everyone actually did those things, doctors and hospitals and drug companies would lose a lot of business. Am I doing the medical field a disservice by making those recommendations? I certainly don't think so.

[Cassandra]

Originally Posted by MonkeyMama

To the concerned e-mailer: I wouldn't worry about it - plenty of people seem to LOVE Black Friday.

Every year, my friend, her mom and one of her sisters get up at about 3:30am for black Friday. They make a plan of all the stores they will visit and what they each want to buy so the others can look-out for it and grab it. They buy all of their Christmas gifts on Black Friday.

I make it a point not to leave the house on Black Friday, though this year I may be working that day.

I don't think you are doing a disservice by telling people not to go on Black Friday. If a person really wants to shop that day, they will no matter what you tell them.

[PrincessPerky]

Disney Steve said it best, and my husband works in retail (computers, but computers for a retail store) I have no problem with you telling folk to be more responsible, even if a down economy means my husband has to look for another job. (maybe as a computer guy for a credit help business....)

[Inkstain82]

Black Friday is for people who enjoy the thrill of shopping. There's nothing wrong with making that your entertainment, but understand that you are paying (in time and money) for entertainment and it should be considered as such.

[marvholly]

I shopped black Friday the past couple of years motly for grandchild gifts. Previously I had to work. This year i have already done those so i am checking the net for ads, making a list, checking it twice and prioritizing it.

We will see if I actually go out.

Also, Fox may say the deals are better now but other news outlets are suggesting waiting until 12/15 or later since retailers had to order WAAAY before current conditions and will be running HUGE sales as the holiday gets closer. BF ads were probably written back in Aug/early Sept and we all know what has happened since.

[Ima saver]

I have never shopped on Black Friday and I won't this year either.

[michaelo]

I just read your article about saving money by not shopping on Black Friday. I also saw a headline for an article stating that consumer spending was very low in October. As someone who works in retail, and who needs the job in order to help support (feed) my family, I don't appreciate your writing these kinds of articles.

It's nothing personal. As somneone who is working to feed your family, you should appreciate Jeffrey's advice...he's trying to help you save money, too. And while I don't appreciate retailers only offering their best prices at this time of year, I will not hold that against you.

No, I don't want to see people overspend on things they don't need, but Black Friday sales are very important to stores like my employer, and there are very good deals to be had if people want to make the effort.

And there also very good deals for people who look for the best deals year round. BUT, here's the biggest myth...Black Friday is NOT the biggest day on the retail calendar. It is just the one that's the most heavily promoted. The biggest day tends to be the Saturday before Christmas, not the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Plus, there's a real fun feeling and atmosphere on this day with a lot of joking with the customers, etc.

Again, maybe retailers wouldn't face so much pressure at this time of year if they treated their customers the way you describe year round.

There are always all these articles on the Internet about how "people don't need to spend money" or "don't open credit cards". Then everyone wonders why our economy is suffering.

So, the soution to people going broke and to improve the economy is for people to get MORE credit cards?

I for one, hope that Black Friday sales will be good this year, in spite of your insufferable article, and that I won't be laid off because of it.

I agree with you (except for your description of the article). No where does Jeffrey say he hopes that retailers have a lousy year and that you should lose your job. All he is trying to do is help working people, INCLUDING you, to hold on to more of their hard-earned money.

If you think you have a hard time buying food for your family now, try buying all of the food on the credit cards you are so quick to suggest people should have.

Do you think I do a disservice to people trying to make a living by saying that people should skip Black Friday?

Nope. (See above)

~michaelo

[ScrimpAndSave]

I actually love to full my mug of coffee and stroll around Target at 4am...listening to the music and looking at sales. I don't spend a lot...I just go for the fun of it.

[markusk]

Shopped BF about 3 years ago. It was kind of fun.

I walked to our local Staples and bought a 2G microSD card dirt cheap. I also picked up a paper shredder for free (which lasted about 2 years).

The crowd was large but in general, very calm and polite. There was free Dukin Donuts donuts and coffee to boot!

[Pitman]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I have never shopped on Black Friday and I won't this year either.

Granted, I haven't either, but I don't fault the many friends, and family members who have. I have an uncle whose TV broke, which was a 37in, in May, and he's been using a 13in since, which is in horrific shape. But he's been saving up, and he plans on going to BBY or Circuit City, on black Friday to get a 40in for cheap. I told him your best bet is Circuit City, due to their stores closing; the sales over there should be more promising. I do agree that he doesn't need a new TV, but if you work hard to save up for one, why not buy it when it'll be close to 40% off retail value.

[GoodBuyGirl]

The trick to black friday is to find what you want at Target ect... then go to Walmart and make them do a price match.

[QueenOphelia]

Too damn bad if the retailers are hurting. WE the people are hurting. Jobs are evaporating like rain in the desert. The lack of self control and credit card over use is exacerbated by stupid marketing gimmicks like Black Friday.

There was no so called Black Friday when I was a kid. We bought things when we could afford them. A big reason this country is so f*cked is because everyone buys and buys and buys.

STOP BUYING THINGS YOU DON'T NEED!! You 24 year olds with $500 car payments...cut it out!

Financial self control is a lost art that needs to be taught in schools as early as possible.