We do not shop on Black Friday. And yet a 4:30 this morning we were in the Walmart parking lot. The lot was full but when I entered the store I thought "this isnt too bad". Then I got to electronics. I have never seen such a mass of people and carts. Neil had dropped me off and gone to park. I of course forgot my phone (I was tired) so couldn't call him to tell him that what we wanted was in the food isles.
After wading through this mass of humanity I found Santos, a friend of ours, and he let me call Neil and tell him where I was going to try to be. Of course I came into the fray from the wrong direction and ended on the wrong side of the retaining ropes. I kept trying to get someone to let me get through to the back of the pack where I thought I should be and they kept telling me no. I almost decided to say to heck with them and stay in front of the line when I found a nice lady who was willing to let me get behind her.
Neil finally found me. At 4:45 the ropes came down...have you ever seen a movie about the Oklahoma land rush...well that was what we were in. Now, have you ever seen Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest...remember the scene where Jack was running down the beach away from the natives, arms flying and yelling....that was my husband. People did get out of his way! We retrieved our item and headed to the register where we had to wait till 5:00 to pay.
All this for a 19" flat screen TV for our bedroom. We liked it so much we also got one for the motor home. We were home and back in bed by 5:15 so not too bad. I am thinking that although we got a good deal on the TVs, it was not worth getting up so early and being in the mass of very rude people. One lady kept hitting me in the behind with her cart and I know it is big enough for her to see. One of the young women who works at Walmart was knocked down by the storm of people. This kind of thing sure brings out the greed in people. Next year I think I will stay home. If I forget please remind me I said that.
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I absolutely hate shopping on Black Friday, but somehow my husband and our friends dragged my sorry butt out of bed at 4 am and we headed to Walmart. We got near the outside entrance but never made it into the line. They had police for crowd control and people were shouting and pushing the police and the police were shouting and pushing back. I had Frankie with me and didn't want to be anywhere near a mob rush, so I hightailed it out of there. Thankfully, my hubby and friends agreed. We ended up going straight to Bob Evans for breakfast and then to Target, where it wasn't nearly as crowded. Then I went home and slept for 3 hours. If I had my way, I never would've got out of bed, and I'm never doing the Black Friday shopping thing again!
Our Walmart is open 24 hours so no crowds outside and no police. I wasn't as bad as some places but is sure brings out the worst in people.
You are a lot braver than I am. I would not fight those Walmart crowds here if they gave me the t.v. I loved the part about the woman hitting you in the rear with her cart and you saying you knew she could see it. That is so funny!
Glad you got your t.v. though.
Glad you got your TV.. I sure as heck won't get up at that time.. I'm such not a morning person... Scary the description you gave (and pardon me as I chuckle at the mental image).. but seriously people get hurt.. in fact someone died (employee) from being trampled.. that's just scary stuff..
Hi dear friend. Sorry I haven't been around. Life has been busy and hectic.
Several years ago, a woman walked right up to me, looked at me straight in the eyes, and yanked a sweater out of my hands. What did I do? I yanked it right back. The funny thing was that if she had asked for the sweater, I would have gladly given it to her. I mean, it's just a sweater, right?
Black Friday is ironic to me. People are out buying gifts to give in peace and celebration, but forget the meaning of the holidays when they see a discount tag. Here's proof:
Worker Dies At Long Island Wal-Mart After Being Trampled In Black Friday Stampede
I doubt the family members of the person that was trampled will ever feel the same about the holidays.
Oh Pam, I love shop until you drop posts. It's what makes us girls forever! I don't do well in crowds or mornings. Actually, I don't shop retail that much. But I do love bargains... We will all be around to remind you to avoid the crowds. End of year sales are coming up. Can you fight the urge???
Chaki I can't resist end of season sales. That is when I stock up on next season clothes. I am always one season out of style...ask me if I care. I love the sign CLEARANCE.
I've sooooooooo become a total online buff lately. Being mostly homebound I'm kinda stuck so I've been looking at internet deals and even etsy shops. Have 2/3 of my shopping done already.. I've NEVER been this up to date!
Pam did you take a picture of your new toy?
You're a brave, brave woman. I'll look in stores if I happen to be at the mall for another reason, but I can't imagine saying, "hey, I think I'll go to the mall today." I'm glad you like your tv's. Mine's close to 20 years old and won't be replaced unless it's completely and utterly broken.
I'm an online shopper, myself. I can't believe you braved the crowd. I wouldn't do that for anything. Glad you got what you wanted tho.
I surely hope those folks who trampled that poor man to death feel like they got a good deal. Whatever they bought was surely not worth a life. I hope their Christmas is very merry indeed. "Peace on Earth, Good will toward men". Amen.
Merry Christmas, Pam. I'm thinking of you. Love ya.
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