Last week was Black Friday, which is a huge shopping day for US consumers. We don’t have Black Friday in Canada, but I am fascinated by the entire the concept of Black Friday. I can’t believe that it takes stores almost a year to bring their gross sales out of the red and into the (profit making) black zone.
I ask you my American DINK friends….what did you buy on Black Friday?
I have never ventured across the border for the amazing weekend of Black Friday shopping, but I do have several Canadian friends who wait all year for this weekend shopping extravaganza.
I received several emails last week from everyone including the Steve Madden shoe company and the Apple Store. It seems that everyone store in America has a sale on Black Friday. I have to admit that I have never experienced Black Friday first hand. But I heard that we can buy a laptop for under $500 and a flat screen HDTV for under $700. This is amazing because I am actually in the market for a new TV and I can’t find anything under $1000. I decided to do some investigating, and check out the Black Friday shopping sales across the great USA this past week.
Is it worth it to shop at 3 am on Black Friday?
Target was having a major 2 day sale with a big bulls eye free shipping shopping event. All Target stores opened at 4 am on Friday morning and the sale lasted until Saturday at midnight. Over 900,000 items at Target were on sale which includes everything from toys to electronics. A Tom Tom GPS was on sale for $79, I paid $399 for mine last year. Nikon Cool Pix cameras were on sale for $79, and I paid $149 at Best Buy in August. A 26 inch Samsung LCD HDTV was on sale for only $209.
Macy’s Clothing Store had a Thanksgiving Sale with “Great Savings on over 50,000 items” including jewellery, fragrance, bed & bath items, as well as designer handbags. Bed and Bath Specials included a Down Comforter for only $39.99; the regular price is $110 to $130. A 3 Piece Diamond Box Set which usually costs $400, was on sale for only $99. As an added bonus Macys was offering a Free Digital Frame with every $65 fragrance purchase.
Best Buy was having a Thanksgiving Weekend Sale with hundreds of items and savings in every department. For their online shoppers, Best Buy was offering Free Shipping on hundreds of thousands of their products. Best Buy opened its doors at 5 am on Friday November 26 with extra savings on Friday Door Buster Specials.
Where did you shop on Black Friday?
It appears that Black Friday is a shopping extravaganza, and it is definitely worth it to wake up at 2 am and stand outside in line for the stores to open at 3 am. Maybe next year I will make the trip across the border and experience my first Black Friday first hand.
(Photo by Rob Holland)
DINKS (Dual Income No Kids) Finance is a blog discussing personal finance for couples. While by no means financial experts, we own a variety of assets including real estate and stocks. We've both been up to our eyeballs in debt and have made tons of financial mistakes. However, we've both successfully retired that debt and we both do learn from our failings. We hope that our voice in this blog can help others in achieving their goals!
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It’s a total waste of time. The people who get those deals typically camp out all night and then the store only has 4 of each item. Yes I did it when I was younger with my family but not anymore. I don’t think if the store was giving away free $100 bills you would get me anywhere near it. Also recently it seems like someone gets hurt or trampled by people acting like idiots running to get some “gadget”.
If you’re looking for a great deal shop online much warmer in my house than outside the Best Buy at 2 AM.
I’ve never done the whole electronics stuff, I go for more the clothing and such. Woke up at 8am, drove 30 minutes to camarillo outlets (hugeee outdoor mall of shops), and went crazy on baby clothes (carters for 50% off plus 10% before noon!), and other things for xmas gifts…and snagged a nice 7 piece corningware set for $35! I don’t do the crazy stuff…but maybe one day…
It’s interesting hearing the Canadian perspective, because Americans are starting to think Black Friday is a bit absurd. Past years I have shopped, not often for big things (as there’s often a limited number of computers/tvs and you have to wait far too early), but definitely for things like DVDs that you can get some good prices on. This year, I only shopped at one store ONLINE, as they were having free shipping and as good (or better) sales online, so I decided not to brave the rush.
I have seen people being run over on the news coverage of black friday. I think to myself…why do people do that? I am a nightmare to be around after midnight and before 11 am, so I don’t think I’m the best person to be up all night in a crowd full of people.
I bought nothing. It’s also Buy Nothing Day. After spending a day with friends enjoying good food, wine and company, I had no desire to go out and be a part of consumerism madness.