Black Friday Insanity

Sale! Sale! Sale! Everywhere...Sale! Sale! Sale! Save! Save! Save! In the news, on TV, on the Internet, on the radio, no matter where you turn somebody somewhere has posted a sign...Sale! Sale! Sale! Come on in! Come on down! HOT deals today! Save 10%...20%...30%... MORE!

BUT, what makes this 'salebration' any different from any other sale? Are the deals any better? The savings any greater? The items offered for sale on sale of any higher quality? Is anything NOT on sale for sale?

What's with this insanity that has everyone astir? A sale is a sale on any day when its ad says "Save 10%...20%...30%...MORE!" Items can be found at a discount! On sale! Buy one, get one! More! More! More! Better still, people don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn or camp out 'til doors open. They'll take the ad, maybe a coupon or two, and gingerly search the sale racks for an item or two. NOT on Black Friday! NO, sir! Got to get there first or 'what I want, when I want, where I want, how I want' won't be there! Yea, like that is going to happen...I will bet you there are upteen more of that same item in the stockroom just waiting to be pulled out at the right time! What's even worse is the thought of how much items have been marked up in order for them to be marked down for that so-called 10%...20%...30%...MORE savings.

Embrace the Past...

The first wave of shoppers depicted sheer madness...madness of the worse order, I mean MADness! Running, bumping into one another, even literally knocking down the door! OOPS! An old gentleman fell. Someone help him up! Nah! Can't take the time or MY item will be snatched up by the lady at my right. MINE! I got here at 3:00 AM, 20 minutes before her. 

Notice that was just the first wave! There was ultimately a lull. Others were waiting at home enjoying morning coffee and homemade muffins 'til their time was right. This group appeared on the scene ready to scavenge what was left hoping some 'meat' still clung among the scraps left on the racks.  

Empower the Present...

Black Friday is not just for Friday anymore. While many prepared for time with family and friends to feast on turkey and dressing savoring thoughts of saving enough room for succulent pumpkin pie, others left home before sunrise to stand in the cold, waiting in line - long-long-long lines - for doors to open announcing the beginning of Thanksgiving Day sales. Then, there are some who enjoyed the holiday feast only to end the day shopping for pre-Black Friday bargains after all the bone picking was done. Makes one wonder what was on their minds - giving thanks for all they had or giving thanks for all they hoped to have after taking advantage of the sales.

Is something being lost here? When having more is more important than more time with family then something is wrong, very wrong. This brings us back to earlier questions to still ponder: What makes this 'salebration' any different from any other sale? Are the deals any better? The savings any greater? The items offered for sale on sale of any higher quality? Is anything NOT on sale for sale?

Enrich the Future...

With the age of advancing technology, one does not have to leave home to shop. Nor does one have to leave home to take advantage of special sales. There is Walmart & Walmart Online, K-Mart & K-Mart Online, Best Buy & Best Buy Online, etc. Pretty much if it is to be bought, it can be bought at an online store which allows one to stay in the comfort of home leaving the cold and crowds to eventually fade as ghosts of times past.

Of course, retailers would much prefer customers to shop in store hoping the more they see the more they will buy. One is more likely to pass up an item online vs. seeing it in real life, being able to feel it! However, there are things to be bought and sold both ways. Just remember, they are things. Stay home, spend time with family!

Bottom Line... 

There is no difference in this 'salebration' than any other sale. The deals aren't any better. The savings any greater. The items offered for sale on sale aren't of any higher quality. There are items NOT on sale for sale but bargains are still always available. 

What is your madness...in store or online?

Are you one who prefers to experience the insanity, the madness of Black Friday sales? If so, good luck and watch out for the other guy! There is a chance someone might get hurt when Black Friday madness takes a tragic turn.