Thread: OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?

On 11/24/2011 1:13 PM, Andy wrote:
> Maybe if there's an urgency based on product availability I could
> understand. I do see "No Rainchecks" at Best Buy's website.
>
> I also feel bad for the employees having to work those early hours.

Back in the 70's, I was a manager at K-Mart. On Black Friday we would
have a 6 AM breakfast for all the employees... served by the managers.
We'd give away door prizes, etc and generally try to get everyone in a
good mood. The next week, on Saturday morning we would open the store
for "employee shopping" at 6 AM and give everyone a one time discount of
20% on everything, including sale items.... and Breakfast with Santa. Of
course, back then, we didn't open to the public until 9 AM... even on
Black Friday.

For many years, I never took a day off between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I don't miss working retail... but I do miss some of those people.

George L

In article <[email protected]>, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:

> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?

I have never understood why xians would stand in extremely long lines for the
slimmest of chances to purchase a limited quantity item at a nice discount and
then when that doesn't work spend their money at that store for something else.

But as confusing as that is to me, I am even more astounded that some bright
store/chain doesn't have the brains to have their "black friday" on the monday,
tuesday ore even wednesday before thanksgiving, thus giving them the advantage.

strange capitalists

On 24/11/2011 3:44 PM, Malcom "Mal" Reynolds wrote:
> In article<[email protected]>, Andy<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>
> I have never understood why xians would stand in extremely long lines for the
> slimmest of chances to purchase a limited quantity item at a nice discount and
> then when that doesn't work spend their money at that store for something else.
>
> But as confusing as that is to me, I am even more astounded that some bright
> store/chain doesn't have the brains to have their "black friday" on the monday,
> tuesday ore even wednesday before thanksgiving, thus giving them the advantage.
>
> strange capitalists

That's not capitalist. That is retail. There are several reasons for
it. People tend to shop at particular stores rather than price shop for
specific items. The people from whom stores make most of their money are
the shoppers, the people who are out looking for something to buy, as
opposed to those are looking for something specific. They want to get
them into the habit of shopping in their stores. They slash the prices
on some items they want to dump, and while people are in the store they
pick up other things. Hopefully, they come back later to buy things are
regular prices.

They could try to hold their sales on another day, but they are like
open at those times anyway, and the people with disposable money are
usually at work. Most people have the holidays free..... expect the
people who work in retail who have to cater to the shopper frenzy.

On Nov 24, 2:13*pm, Andy <a...@b.c> wrote:
> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>
> So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at the
> stroke of midnight!!!
>
> Who's going to stay up after a belly full of Thanksgiving wine and
> dining?
>
> Maybe if there's an urgency based on product availability I could
> understand. I do see "No Rainchecks" at Best Buy's website.
>
> I also feel bad for the employees having to work those early hours.
>
> I've never shopped on Black Friday and am surely not going to lose sleep
> over it.
>
> I'd like to buy an LCD HDTV but I'm so 20th century rooted when it comes
> to TV high tech. I'll probably stop by Best Buy after breakfast and look
> them over.
>
> Anyone planning a midnight ride?
>
> Andy

I would never shop on Black Friday. I can see why some people would
do it if it's for something like clothes or basic things that last
from year to year, but for electronics? You know as soon as you buy
something it's going to be obsolete within 3 months or sooner. I
never buy the latest and greatest. I always wait until they bring out
the new stuff and then buy the stuff that's being discontinued. If it
was good last year, it'll be good this year.

"Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]..
> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>
> So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at the
> stroke of midnight!!!
>
Nope. This is why Al Gore invented the Internet

Jill <---who doesn't celebrate Christmas

"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I would never shop on Black Friday. I can see why some people would
> do it if it's for something like clothes or basic things that last
> from year to year, but for electronics? You know as soon as you buy
> something it's going to be obsolete within 3 months or sooner. I
> never buy the latest and greatest. I always wait until they bring out
> the new stuff and then buy the stuff that's being discontinued. If it
> was good last year, it'll be good this year.


djs0302,

I invested a lot in Dolby 5.1 surround sound home theater. Now it's dirt
cheap.

I'm still waiting for Dolby 10.1 (5.1 on the floor, 5 up on the ceiling
for the complete x-y-z dimensional audio experience.

Best Buy is selling a Sharp brand 42" LCD HDTV for $199. I think at that
price, even if it's yesterday's technology, it's cheap enough to get in
the "game." It has to look better than my tired old 19" CRT TV.

Best,

Andy

"jmcquown" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>>
>> So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at
>> the stroke of midnight!!!
>>
> Nope. This is why Al Gore invented the Internet
>
> Jill <---who doesn't celebrate Christmas


Jill,

If it weren't for good ol' Al!

Walmart, not wanting to be outdone, ran a commercial today during
football that they'll begin Black Friday sales beginning at 10:30PM
tonight!

A smart but shrewd tactic, imho. The nature of the biz, obviously!

Best,

Andy

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:57:44 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:

>"jmcquown" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>>>
>>> So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at
>>> the stroke of midnight!!!
>>>
>> Nope. This is why Al Gore invented the Internet
>>
>> Jill <---who doesn't celebrate Christmas
>
>
>Jill,
>
>If it weren't for good ol' Al!
>
>Walmart, not wanting to be outdone, ran a commercial today during
>football that they'll begin Black Friday sales beginning at 10:30PM
>tonight!
>
>A smart but shrewd tactic, imho. The nature of the biz, obviously!
>
>Best,
>
>Andy
In my town they are saying that they were never closed so you don't
have to stand outside. Deals start at a particular time though. I
suspect the staying open strategy is because of injuries at the door a
couple of years ago.
Janet US

Janet Bostwick <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:57:44 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>"jmcquown" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> "Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]..
>>>> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>>>>
>>>> So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at
>>>> the stroke of midnight!!!
>>>>
>>> Nope. This is why Al Gore invented the Internet
>>>
>>> Jill <---who doesn't celebrate Christmas
>>
>>
>>Jill,
>>
>>If it weren't for good ol' Al!
>>
>>Walmart, not wanting to be outdone, ran a commercial today during
>>football that they'll begin Black Friday sales beginning at 10:30PM
>>tonight!
>>
>>A smart but shrewd tactic, imho. The nature of the biz, obviously!
>>
>>Best,
>>
>>Andy
> In my town they are saying that they were never closed so you don't
> have to stand outside. Deals start at a particular time though. I
> suspect the staying open strategy is because of injuries at the door a
> couple of years ago.


Janet US,

I don't remember the incident but I did dig it up the news. Killing a
temp Walmart employee and injuring two men on Long Island.

That's awful! It's hard to believe how people can so recklessly get
whipped into such a frenzy!

I'm again reminded why I don't like crowds!

Best,

Andy

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:13:04 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:

>OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>
>So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at the
>stroke of midnight!!!
>
>Who's going to stay up after a belly full of Thanksgiving wine and
>dining?
>
>Maybe if there's an urgency based on product availability I could
>understand. I do see "No Rainchecks" at Best Buy's website.
>
>I also feel bad for the employees having to work those early hours.
>
>I've never shopped on Black Friday and am surely not going to lose sleep
>over it.
>
>I'd like to buy an LCD HDTV but I'm so 20th century rooted when it comes
>to TV high tech. I'll probably stop by Best Buy after breakfast and look
>them over.
>
>Anyone planning a midnight ride?
>
>Andy

We don't have to trek across the border for black friday anymore since
the stores here started advertising their black friday to keep us and
our dollars here.... and the deals...xbox 360 $99, toshiba 42" LCD
$450 and it goes on and on. It saves me money not having to rent a
hotel room, gas, and of course the chance of running into a storm or
getting into a accident while down there.

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:45:00 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:

>"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I would never shop on Black Friday. I can see why some people would
>> do it if it's for something like clothes or basic things that last
>> from year to year, but for electronics? You know as soon as you buy
>> something it's going to be obsolete within 3 months or sooner. I
>> never buy the latest and greatest. I always wait until they bring out
>> the new stuff and then buy the stuff that's being discontinued. If it
>> was good last year, it'll be good this year.
>
>
>djs0302,
>
>I invested a lot in Dolby 5.1 surround sound home theater. Now it's dirt
>cheap.
>
>I'm still waiting for Dolby 10.1 (5.1 on the floor, 5 up on the ceiling
>for the complete x-y-z dimensional audio experience.
>
>Best Buy is selling a Sharp brand 42" LCD HDTV for $199. I think at that
>price, even if it's yesterday's technology, it's cheap enough to get in
>the "game." It has to look better than my tired old 19" CRT TV.

But how many do they have as a lost leader, maybe 10 and they will be
gone in 2 min.

>
>Best,
>
>Andy

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:57:44 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:

>"jmcquown" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "Andy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>>>
>>> So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at
>>> the stroke of midnight!!!
>>>
>> Nope. This is why Al Gore invented the Internet
>>
>> Jill <---who doesn't celebrate Christmas
>
>
>Jill,
>
>If it weren't for good ol' Al!
>
>Walmart, not wanting to be outdone, ran a commercial today during
>football that they'll begin Black Friday sales beginning at 10:30PM
>tonight!
>
>A smart but shrewd tactic, imho. The nature of the biz, obviously!
>
>Best,
>
>Andy

I saw somewhere on us tv that a few stores heard about wallyworlds
plan and are starting the sales an hour before.

In article <Fyyzq.111459$[email protected]> ,
Dave Smith <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> They could try to hold their sales on another day, but they are like
> open at those times anyway, and the people with disposable money are
> usually at work. Most people have the holidays free..... expect the
> people who work in retail who have to cater to the shopper frenzy.

I have no doubt in my mind that work would never interfere with anyones desire
to get a great "bargain"

Stu wrote:
> On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:13:04 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>>
>> So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at
>> the stroke of midnight!!!
>>
>> Who's going to stay up after a belly full of Thanksgiving wine and
>> dining?
>>
>> Maybe if there's an urgency based on product availability I could
>> understand. I do see "No Rainchecks" at Best Buy's website.
>>
>> I also feel bad for the employees having to work those early hours.
>>
>> I've never shopped on Black Friday and am surely not going to lose
>> sleep over it.
>>
>> I'd like to buy an LCD HDTV but I'm so 20th century rooted when it
>> comes to TV high tech. I'll probably stop by Best Buy after
>> breakfast and look them over.
>>
>> Anyone planning a midnight ride?
>>
>> Andy
>
> We don't have to trek across the border for black friday anymore since
> the stores here started advertising their black friday to keep us and
> our dollars here.... and the deals...xbox 360 $99, toshiba 42" LCD
> $450 and it goes on and on. It saves me money not having to rent a
> hotel room, gas, and of course the chance of running into a storm or
> getting into a accident while down there.

Do they also have specials on Lawyers on Black Friday>

What ever happened to your lawsuit against Sideshow Bob?

Stu <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:45:00 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> I would never shop on Black Friday. I can see why some people would
>>> do it if it's for something like clothes or basic things that last
>>> from year to year, but for electronics? You know as soon as you buy
>>> something it's going to be obsolete within 3 months or sooner. I
>>> never buy the latest and greatest. I always wait until they bring
out
>>> the new stuff and then buy the stuff that's being discontinued. If
it
>>> was good last year, it'll be good this year.
>>
>>
>>djs0302,
>>
>>I invested a lot in Dolby 5.1 surround sound home theater. Now it's
dirt
>>cheap.
>>
>>I'm still waiting for Dolby 10.1 (5.1 on the floor, 5 up on the ceiling
>>for the complete x-y-z dimensional audio experience.
>>
>>Best Buy is selling a Sharp brand 42" LCD HDTV for $199. I think at
that
>>price, even if it's yesterday's technology, it's cheap enough to get in
>>the "game." It has to look better than my tired old 19" CRT TV.
>
> But how many do they have as a lost leader, maybe 10 and they will be
> gone in 2 min.


Stu,

You are correct. They phrase it "Minimum in stock: 10"

That's OK. I'm not a hyper-motivated buyer. I've done without the HDTV
technology for 15+ years. I'm prepared to wait a little longer.

Best,

Andy

On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:50:07 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:



>
>You are correct. They phrase it "Minimum in stock: 10"
>
>That's OK. I'm not a hyper-motivated buyer. I've done without the HDTV
>technology for 15+ years. I'm prepared to wait a little longer.
>
>Best,
>
>Andy

Once you do, Andy, you'll never want to look at a CRT again. The
difference is huge.

It looks like a big price barrier has been broken. The sets have been
coming down from $1000 or so in $50 increments. With 42" sets being
sold for $200, it puts a lot of pressure on the higher end to lower
prices to compete.

Stu <[email protected]> wrote:

> But how many do they have as a lost leader, maybe 10 and they will be
> gone in 2 min.


Earlier this morning, I learned Best Buy also did a greedy thing. On the
HDTVs, computers, etc., the website lists in item descriptions "Ticket
required to purchase." They gave no info. I found the answer on Yahoo.

Best Buy will hand out tickets 2 hours before opening to the first so
many people in line. Weather and line length were unspecified factors. No
mention of how many tickets per person or tickets in total to be handed
out.

I'll bet there were a lot of anxious customers that got in line hours
before opening to have a chance. About the same level of anxiety hoping
to score Superbowl tickets.

I can imagine a lot of irate customers who stood in line and didn't get
tickets.

I also thought calling the opening door sales "Doorbusters" in extremely
poor taste.

Best Buy, by making shoppers to their store stand around for hours showed
zero compassion for the spending public right outside their doors.

It's like customers would have to win two lotteries. One to get a ticket
(s) and another that the items of interest WEREN'T snatched up in two
minutes, as you said.

Today's local FOX morning news talking heads now claim the best sales
prices are actually between Cyber Monday and Christmas. So Black Friday
(we all know what it means) is basically a retail ruse with the TV News
talking heads flaming the "Spend!!!" fire on their behalf. The BUMS!!!!!!

Imho.

So I'm left hoping that later today my supermarket's supply of fat-free
milk, Egg Beaters and English muffins are in stock and on sale. LOL!

Andy

Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:50:07 -0600, Andy <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>>
>>You are correct. They phrase it "Minimum in stock: 10"
>>
>>That's OK. I'm not a hyper-motivated buyer. I've done without the HDTV
>>technology for 15+ years. I'm prepared to wait a little longer.
>>
>>Best,
>>
>>Andy
>
> Once you do, Andy, you'll never want to look at a CRT again. The
> difference is huge.
>
> It looks like a big price barrier has been broken. The sets have been
> coming down from $1000 or so in $50 increments. With 42" sets being
> sold for $200, it puts a lot of pressure on the higher end to lower
> prices to compete.


Ed,

I'm in complete agreement to a point. The innovators of the technology
deserved to profit a great deal to pay for cutting edge R&D. But now that
components are so cheap to buy rather than develop, before long, McD will
be putting HDTVs in with their Happy Meals. <VBG>

The only things I've learned is from my good friend who bought a 50"
plasma HDTV. Its screen is too reflective of the room and things in it
and it gives off a fair amount of heat, so plasma is not in my HDTV
future, whenever that happens.

Best,

Andy

On Nov 24, 1:13*pm, Andy <a...@b.c> wrote:
> OT: Black Friday: After midnight?!?
>
> So far Best Buy, Macy's, Target and Walmart will open their doors at the
> stroke of midnight!!!
>
> Who's going to stay up after a belly full of Thanksgiving wine and
> dining?
....

The 1%ers, the stinkingly rich capitalists, have never been able to
figure out how to commercialize Thanksgiving and make another zillion
dollars for themselves and ruin another perfectly good Holiday, so
they are dangling a carrot out in front of all the Sheeple to just
skip Thanksgiving. And many have!! Many of the Sheeple are not buying
the "super deals" as Christmas presents either, but for themselves!!
Disgusting examples of "me-ism"!! :-(

I'm so glad I've eschewed the commercialism of Christmas! I don't buy
Christmas presents, I make them! :-)

John Kuthe...