The type of sale I can't stand
Though I love to save money (duh.), there are some types of money-saving events that I would really rather pass on.
Like Black Friday.
Or drugstore freebie offers (which are usually gone unless you get there the VERY first day of the sale).
Or $1 flip-flop day at Old Navy.
I realized the other day what these tend to have common: crowds and/or limited quantities.
I didn't always realize this about myself, but I am so not a crowd person.
I don't like waiting in lines, I don't like bumping into people wherever I turn, and I don't like the lack of parking that usually comes with crowds.
I especially hate dealing with crowds only to find out that what I came for isn't even available.
This happens regularly on Black Friday. If you have a common flip-flop size, it happens at Old Navy. And it happens allll the time at drugstores, unless you live in an area where there are no couponers.
For me, the process of dealing with crowds and the possibility of spending my time only to not end up with the freebie/bargain in the end?
That really sours the deal.
I would so much rather save money by
- DIY-ing something
- browsing a clearance rack
- shopping at a thrift store
- buying secondhnad
- just buying less stuff in general (which can save a whole lot of time and money!).
I know some people are energized by crowds, don't mind lines, and love the thrill of the bargain hunt even if they come up empty-handed. But man, that is just not for me.
__________________
How about you? Do you love to show up on free ice cream scoop day, $1 flip-flop day, and Black Friday? Or would you rather stick forks in your eyeballs? 😉
I do enjoy Black Friday--BUT we don't go to get the big ticket electronic items that are the first to go, or stand in line at stores. We get up early (like 6 am) and I go with my sister and parents and enjoy getting some good deals. Its usually not very crowded either. You just have to know that you probably won't get EVERYTHING on sale, but usually the non-electronic things are there. (But with stores doing more things Thursday night last year--which we refuse to do, there was not as much Friday morning. While it wasn't as busy, it also wasn't quite worth it, so the tradition may be ending this year.) But other then that, I do most of my shopping online! 🙂
I am the same way!! I can not stand crowds and prefer to shop at time when crowds are less. I don't coupon, but I totally agree with your shopping less comment. We also do some thrift shopping.....love you blog!
Agreeing with you on these points -- I do NOT do Black Friday or any on the sales you mention.
However, I do do ESTATE sales. In Dallas we have been stunned to see what is available . . . and chastened to see the truth that no one ever takes material treasures with them when Death calls. :-/
At the stage of life when we are "down-sizing" we know that even the best deals may not be worth it. By the time you have the money to have your heart's desires, you don't have the energy to to fool with it.
Nonetheless -- I still break for "yard" sales. :0)
I enjoy going to the fabric store when they open on Black Friday - but that's it. People at the fabric store don't usually get too bent out of shape at each other, and the atmosphere isn't too stressful (though maybe it is for the workers!). I do expect to spend a loooong time in line at the cutting counter, so I always bring a book and a drink. Then I'm happy. 🙂
I too would rather stick a fork in my eyeballs than deal with crowds. About the only Black Friday shopping I do is go to Home Depot, mid-morning, for their $1 poinsettias. There are never any crowds. I tend to shop early in the morning but in an attempt to be more flexible I no longer refrain from going if it is later in the day.
The other day when I went to Target to buy school supplies for DC1, I noticed that the next day was going to be a tax holiday for school supplies. Instead of getting in my car and waiting until tax-free day, I thought, "Thank goodness, that means there will be hardly anybody in the school supplies aisle." (Of course, just the fact I was at Target instead of Walmart also means I value being able to just buy stuff over cheaper prices + crowds.)
I don't do Black Friday because there's never anything I want, plus the deals are never great.
I don't mind crowds or lots of people, though. For some reason being out in the crowd sort of energizes me. Sitting at home and doing nothing is just going to end up with me wanting to go out again, most likely.
I will never be in a rush to get Flip Flops at Old Navy because I don't wear flip flops. I don't live anywhere near a beach and don't plan on going there any time soon so what excuse would I have to wear a piece of foam barely supporting my foot?
I share your dislike if crowds, however the sight of all those cheaply-made, plasticky-flip flops ( manufactured by people who barely make a living wage)
Kinda makes my stomach turn.
@Kim from Philadelphia,
And it's my understanding that they are no good for your feet.
I detest crowds, and I have never shopped on Black Friday. But I usually have good luck at the drug stores. Yes, on occasion they are out of an item that I had my eye on, and that's frustrating (happens at the grocery stores, too). But then I get a raincheck. I'm not an extreme couponer, and I'm not a big shopper, but I have gotten some really good deals at the drug stores.
I vote for forks in eyeballs!
Me too!
I am the SAME way! I would rather pay $2.50 for a pair of (junky!) flip flops than fight with everyone else to get them for $1. Nope! My time and sanity are more valuable than that!
I'm with you! I LOVE a bargain, but not when i have to get up at 4am the day after i host a houseful of people. If i am going to do Black Friday, I'll hit the internet and order online in my pjs with a nice Turkey and Cranberry and Stuffing Sandwich!
Me either....waiting in line drives me nuts. I haven't been to the mall for several years and rarely shop due to budget constraints. Sometimes shopping in my own closet answers the problem.
Honestly, I wouldn't buy flip flops sold or a $1 ever. That is way too cheap if you as me. You gotta wonder if they are safe.
I did black friday once, many years ago. My then roommate and I got up at 4 am so we could be at Walmart at 5 when it opened, and it was insane. I hated it and it was a bit scary at points. However we also went to Lowe's where we got a christmas tree for $25, and decorations too, and that wasn't crowded at all, it was kinda quiet and not bad. Radio Shack was busier but there was still not many people there, and the salesman was right at the door, asked what I was looking for and the deal I wanted was right on the table. I was in and out of there with no fuss in about 10 minutes, and got a great deal on a printer/camera combo (both of which were great and lasted many years). But generally I try to avoid crowds. I don't even like the mall. I did the flip flop sale this year for the first time. It was very crowded and they didn't have any purple, but it was very organized and though the line was long it moved rather quickly and most people seemed good natured. I don't know as I'll do it again for some time, it will take me a while to go through 4 pairs of flip flops.
I am about done with Kohl's for this very reason. Should I have to go to 3 different stores to find basic bras for my girls in common sizes? And forget about being able to get a preferred color. You take what they have and pay mall store prices.
I don't do black friday. I do love a free slurpee and $1 flip flops though. I wear an 8. I got 15 pairs 5 years ago and still have 8 of them! I didn't know it was $1 day, just happened to go. I always show up close to doors opening and there were people but not hoards. I say, do a drive by and if its not that crowded, get some house and casual shoes. I use mine all year. In winter they are my slippers because slippers and slipper socks are a bit too warm and they are easy to kick off to go on carpeted areas:) my temperature varies widely between 2-year old care and naptime calm.
I agree with you wholeheartedly! Shopping isn't my favorite thing to do, so I usually do it fairly early on a weekday when there aren't a lot of people around. I find that the times I have to cope with bigger crowds on the roads and in the stores my stress level increases exponentially. The one exception to what you mentioned might be the drug store thing, but only because in our rural area there isn't nearly so much competition. We only have a Rite Aid. Sometimes they are sold out of things, but as often as not they have the specials in stock. Still, unless it's something I would normally be interested in and doesn't require an extra stop, I pass. Maybe it's not such a big deal to people who actually like to shop...
Most of the time, there is nothing in a store that I need bad enough to battle crowds. I much prefer to do "black Friday" shipping online. Or occasionally go to a store that may not be so popular to get a good deal - last year we went to an office supply store in mid-town and got a great deal on a Kindle, and absolutely no crowds at all. With all that said, a couple of years ago, my daughter-in-law and I decided on a whim to go to Target about 10:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night....yep it was very crowded, but we were able to get most of what was on our list and they were very organized with crowd control and the check-out line moved very quickly.
I'm the opposite of you... crowds energize me~ one thing I enjoy about Black Friday (now starting on Thursdays) is are the conversations you can strike up with other folks. Last year, we had to travel to small town IA during Thanksgiving and I panicked a bit as I was going to get a laptop for my college student that would be on sale. My hubby's hometown doesn't even have a McD's!!! I drove to the nearest Walmart (15 miles) and it was crowded for a small town, but the folks were super nice. There was enough supply and I got everything I on the list (just the laptop, ipad and few other items).
Forks in my eyeballs for sure! I can't stand it, crowds of people make me itch. I do wish i could take advantage of whatever sale is going on but it usually just isn't worth it for the horrible mood it puts me in.
No crowds for me thanks. My Converse flip flops are about 6 years old now. I wash and wear. Oh and last year there was a teeny bit of super-gluing required - did think it might be the end of the line for my old faithfuls - but voila back to life again!
My daughters & I very much enjoy the Black Friday Sales. It is more of a family time and since we aren't in it for the big ticket items or DVDs we normally get what we are shopping for. Over the years we have developed some strategies for dealing with the long lines. The other sales, if I happen upon them & they have the size I need then I'll make use of it, but not a special trip. Having said all that I typically don't spend retail on anything, preferring to shop sales & coupons or just wait & find out the item probably wasn't needed after all. Actually I shop the internet for a lot of things now & get them much cheaper than a box retail store.
For the most part, I'd rather do forks in eyeballs, especially when it comes to cheap footwear. My family and I tend to do a big trip once a year where there is a lot of walking involved, and I vowed 3 years ago to never buy the cheap flip flops again, and our feet really thank us. The thing with the $1 flip flops is that we could easily go through a few pair in a summer, vs. 1 pair a year of $20 flip flops, so that is less waste too.
There are a few stops that we'll make on black Friday, but generally we are in and out and done right away, and not shopping for the same things that the hoards of people are!
I'm a Black Friday Shopper have been since my Kids were little Little they are now 18 & 22yrs old 🙂
I Love to Save $$$ & I definately Have more Time than $$$
Sadly I've almost been in 2 Fights 🙁 I'm not a Fighter at all but I had to Protect My Son (My 18 who was then 2 ((1997)) a Lady cut the line right when I was going thrru the door with my son asleep in the Cart. She grabbed my cart &was pushing it almost over & all I could think of is he's gonna get Trampled 🙁 I held on to the cart & grabbed her by the shirt & yelled at her ur gonna to hurt My Son & she let go. Just before she let go I prayed FAST Lord Don't let my Boy get hurt Please. When I got in the store my sister & 5 yr old Daughter ran past me AFTER I told them we were ok. But I had to pull over in the store my Legs felt like Jello. We were after the FURBY & the crazy lady was after a Pound Puppy ..... I didn't even know they made those still back then.
The 2nd time My Sister was PG with her 1st Baby ( &!we didn't think she be able to have any... thank the LORD she has 2 Beautiful Daughters 🙂 )
A lady cut my sister @ Toys r Us (1999) my sister said U can't cut all of us who have been here for Hours. The lady got mad & said a bunch & moved towards my sister ( who I thk FORGOT she was PG ) I stepped in front of my sister to Block her & the PG Belly & the Lady pushed me I said She's PG Back off & she went to push me me again & I yelled at the Worker She's Cutting & Trying to start a Fight & my sister is PG. After the lady move away I turned & looked at my sister with Jello Legs & said DOnT EVER Do that again or I will Kick Ur Bum. LoL
So we got our stuff we wanted Luckily 😉 we NEVER expect to get it all but some how we always do 🙂 & save a Bunch of $$$ last yr my Daughter & son went too on Thanksgiving evening ( Which they Need to change it Back to FRIDAY Henz the name BLACK FRIDAY ! My Son Had NO idea what he was getting into lol he said why are there Sooo many people ? My Girl & I looked at him & laughed we said it's black Turkey Day ... He was amazed at how many people were there. Anyways I only wanted the Shark Steam Mop w the sock & u can turn it over while in use @ Target $49- reg $100 or $130 & I got a few things that weren't in the ad Cheap & a few DVDs. I'm usually done w- CHRiSTmas Shopping by the 1st week of Dec & everything Wrapped too 🙂
So to ME it's worth it Not the fights but the savings 🙂 I never took my kids again til my daughter wanted to go at age 12-13.
So to All of u YES it can be Crazy & it can be a lot of fUN too. Just Becareful & enjoy it If U Dare go 🙂
PS I'm always done by 11 am
Forks in the eyeball every time!!!
Black Friday shopping works online too ! ! ! I'm not a crowd person either. I'll gladly skip the 8.25% savings to maintain my sanity. I do Black Friday shopping online that way I can skip the crowds and still save the tax. The only clothing store I'll enter on Black Friday is Burkes Outlet because I get 15% off on Fridays + the tax savings. However, I did my shopping there last night (crowd free), put the clothes on hold, and went first thing this morning and paid for them. Score!
I'm with you, I would rather stick forks in my eyeballs!
I am right there with you! I hate crowds and I get impatient waiting in long lines. I had to go to the mall recently to pick something up on a Saturday evening and ugh it was awful!
I haven't done Black Friday in years. The last time I did it was because we needed a fridge, and the one we wanted was on sale for $1,000 less than the normal price. That time it was worth it to fight the crowds!
While I have never met anyone who was "energized" by crowds, I do have to agree with you on the whole drugstore bit. For a short while I tried rushing down to the local Walgreen's right after I read the Sunday paper with the deals in it, on Sunday morning, in fact. They *never* had the products in stock.
It just produced tons of irritation.
I shop on Black Friday, but not like I used to. I used to get up when the stores opened at 4 a.m. But now they're opening at midnight, or some opening at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving. And I CANT get down with that. To make workers take time away from their families on one of the few holidays that stores are actually closed? Get a grip--what on earth is worth leaving your family for? A big screen tv? A t-shirt sale?
That said, I don't wear flip-flops. My parents never let me wear them as a kid, and I think I got my first pair in high school. And I haven't been able to walk in them (my toes curl up to keep them on, and I slip and slide around if they get wet, and I bump into EVERYTHING and hurt my toes. I'm a self-proclaimed flip-flop idiot), so the sale at Old Navy wouldn't get me.
Now... if Sur La Table, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Crate and Barrel or Williams Sonoma had an incredible Black Friday or mega sale? I'd wait in line. And if I didn't get what I wanted... I'd be ok with it. I wouldn't have gotten it if I didn't go, but at least I got a chance. And I don't have kids right now...so it might be a fun time spent with friends instead!
And I totally meant the first paragraph for the workers. I hate they would be forced to leave their families to keep their jobs 🙁
We are making a special effort to not go anywhere on a holiday unless we are traveling (which is really rare). We used to go out and eat at a restaurant for Thanksgiving since it was just two of us, but I felt bad about the people having to work. I am really resentful of how they are making those sales intrude on Thanksgiving more and more every year.
A woman after my own heart! I agree with your sentiments 110%! 🙂
I honestly think people just aren't thinking. The $1 flip flips are only, what, 2.50 regularly? Sorry, but because I would be so likely to buy other things while I'm there, this would not be a savings for me. I had one exception to this, and it was this year! My husband's "backyard" flip flops broke, and he needed a new pair. I had missed the $1 sale by ONE DAY and was sure I wouldn't find a pair left, especially a men's size 12. I was at Michael's next door anyway, so ran in Old Navy and to my surprise, there were several choices in his size. But man! They were $2!! What a rip off!! Ha ha
Forks..... Totally stick forks in my eyeballs!! Lol
I would rather just buy less stuff! I never go to Black Friday. I do, however, go to consignment sales, and those can be very crowded, especially during the consignor pre-sale or the half-price day. I get a little anxious feeling, but I usually just suck it up and plow through!
I would rather pay a few dollars more than deal with a crowd. Tax free weekend is INSANE here and I try not to go to any store that weekend. What is crazy is if you put a sign out front saying "Save 7%!!!!!" nobody would come, but call it tax free and the whole state will shop. No thanks, I'll pay a little more later.
We don't have tax free days (that I know about) here in Michigan, but that is SUCH an excellent point!
I am totally with you on this one.
Agreed! Black Friday in particular, as it's not worth dealing with the crowds and the "deals" are usually for very low quality items. If I were searching for a blender, for example, I would much matter research and carefully choose a quality model that will last for years than get a cheap one for $15 on Black Friday that will probably break within a year or two. No thanks.
And things like the Flip Flop sales just make me sad - it's all landfill fodder.
Same here. I have NEVER shopped on black friday. I always stay home. Flip flops are cheap so even if I have to pay $5 for a pair I avaoded all the hassles you mentioned and that is worth more than $4 for me. Now if say Pottery Barn had an item on sale that I would save a few hundred dollars on then it's worth it to me. ..but flip flops no way!
Yes to this! I never been to Black Friday shopping and when my friends tell me their crazy experiences (like driving or staying at the store waiting until the sale begins) it made me decide not to go at all.
Eyeball stabbing, definitely. I was mad at myself this morning because I didn't get to the grocery store before 9:30 this morning and I had to contend with PEOPLE! 😉 OK, it wasn't so bad, but I am all about shopping when it isn't crowded. I find it's easier to make good purchasing choices if I don't feel like I'm in someone's way. That being said, there are rare occasions where it's worth it to fight a crowd (like the person who commented about saving $1000 on a fridge).
Lol, I can sympathize with that, I always try to go as soon as the store opens too and about refuse if it is after 9 in the morning. I went too late one day and got so frustrated getting accosted by the sample people and an old lady chasing me down the aisle trying to make me take coupons for stuff that I don't use.
OMG, I love $1 flip flop day at Old Navy!! I wear size 9 1/2, but they always have plenty and I can find whatever color I want.
I skip Black Friday and I don't shop at drugstores.
Gonna have to disagree about drugstore deals only being available on the first day. Drugstores get deliveries 5-6 days/week and stock up for the deal items. So while getting the deal is not a sure thing, you've a good chance of getting the deal.
Yours must be better at that than mine...my stores seemed to always be out of the free-with-rebate type of deals no matter how many times I stopped in during the week. It was super frustrating!
Totally!
It probably does vary by region. I live in a suburban area with all three drug store chains in multiple locations. I certainly have occasions when an item I want is out of stock, but it's the exception, not the rule. And I can always get a raincheck. If it happened constantly, I wouldn't bother with the drugstores either.
I had the same experience going to the free veteran's lunch at Applebee's on Veteran's Day. I am a veteran and have tried going a couple of different years with my veteran co-workers and every year we end up paying for our meals at the restaurant across the street that is empty instead of dealing with the horde at Applebee's. Ditto for the tax-free weekend and school supplies, after being caught in the mad crowd one year we *never* go during that weekend. I'll just buy it on sale and pay my taxes. We actually try to not go in any retail store between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, just to avoid the crazy people. I would rather pay full price than to deal with people who would fist-fight to get toys for their kids.
We tried going to Applebee's one year to get my husband's free meal. Too long a line. So we went next door to Perkins and they gave both of us a free meal!
Nice! People can be awesome. 😀
I hate crowds! My daughter's love the flip flop sale and Black Friday sales. Now that they are older, I don't have to go!
I really don't like to shop with crowds of people,but I did enjoy
the "Thanksgiving Eve computer story"of my younger son who is
now 35.That computer,which later became my laptop will always
have happy memories attached to it because it involved waiting in
a line on a very cold night to get an item that was really wanted !
Pass the forks, please ;D
I cannot stand crowds either, and I feel like I either walk away with nothing because I am so anxious to get away from the crowd or I make impulse purchases. I've only ever gone out on Black Friday once and it was on a whim when my sister was visiting - and I didn't buy a thing.
Totes. I even avoid Costco coupon times. It's like having the whole store to yourself.
I agree with everything you said. With the addition of:
~going out of business sales (much too depressing)
~and even just the idea of Old Navy's flip flop sale makes me want to spork my eyes out. And who wants those yucky $1 flip flops anyway? Ick.
It has been our tradition to have the kids stay the night with Grandma and Grandpa on Thanksgiving so we could get up bright and early to shop. We usually get most of our shopping done that day! It is a lot of fun! However, as the kids get older, there is less that we are looking for. Will give it a shot this year if we find something worth going for!
I am not fond of crowds either... which is why I love online shopping. I also don't like to shop under pressure (too many impulse buys and poir shopping choices done that way). I like leaving things in my virtual cart for a day or two to make sure I really need it ir want it. Saves me the hassle of purchasing things in the store to return them later.
Pass the forks, please.
My MIL likes flip flops, so we bought her a pair at the 99 Only Store in her favorite shade of green. Don't wear them myself, so I didn't realize what a screaming deal we were getting. Definitely no crowds there.
I second bwsmith on the estate sales. I get things there that I never see at garage sales. At a recent sale, I got a big pack of Costco TP. Now my family is teasing me that I am making them use recycled toilet paper! I used to be creeped out by them, but now I see them as a reminder that life is fleeting. Enjoy the time you've been given and don't hold on to crap you will never need again.
I work for one of the major drugstore chains, and we do not get a daily shipment, it only comes in once a week, so yes, we do run out of deals quickly. maybe it's better in larger towns?
Also, waiting on some of these freebies is very irrational. I saw a line out of the 7-11 store on free slurpee day. Isn't a slurpee like $.99?
It's not the sale I can't stand, it's the way people behave during them that I can't stomach. Some people lose their minds and manners over something that is likely not a real good deal anyway. If you've spent any time in retail like I have, (15+years), you know that these items are called loss leaders and are usually cheaply made, but there is no real loss for the retailer since customers will usually end up adding items to their baskets that will more than cover it.
What really frosts my cookies is the way people treat other customers, and more often the staff, during these sales. I have been kicked, shoved, hit, and cursed at for something as simple as being out of stock on a certain color or size. Seriously, any one remember the Cabbage Patch Kid craze?! The really sad part is when parents do this right in front of their kids. It's one of the reasons I left retail management even though I was really good at it. It's also why I prefer to shop online, the only "pushy" person I have to deal with is my husband needing to use the computer, but he was raised right and polite!
I also hate crowds and shopping in general which is why I prefer to do as much of it as possible online and have it come to me rather than me go to it.
I have literally ended up in tears because of the crowd anxiety I get from Wegman's. I have been known to do my grocery shopping at 1 AM to avoid a full store. There has to be another place in the world not nearly that crowded to get flip flops (they can't be that good, can they?) and at least around here, the Black Friday sales aren't that good anyway.
I don't do Black Friday sales either because of all the reasons mentioned, plus I sleep late and would never make the deals. That said, I do pre-shop for things I have on a list to buy when "the price is right" at Amazon and specific stores like Gamestop. Amazon has some terrific deals on things you usually wouldn't buy on Black Friday, like printers and batteries, especially if you watch those Gold Box and hourly deals. It's like buying off season stuff (winter things in spring). I didn't see it mentioned and I'm new here, but Amazon Prime membership is a great deal: I have regular items shipped that I get at equal or better prices than other places including toilet paper and paper towels and cat food, I can ship gifts directly from them under the free shipping choice, and I don't need Hulu or Netflix with the movies they include, just to list a few benefits.
In smaller stores like Gamestop, I go there regularly and watch the flyer and the guys know me and will tell me if a particularly good deal is coming soon and tell me to wait to buy it, or give me a heads-up on a collector's item soon to be had (these things often have a limited availability so you have to be first to get the item and the deal).
When I worked in retail I swore I would never do black Friday as a customer (although the day after Christmas was usually busier!). Then one time I was visiting family for Thanksgiving and they all wanted to do Black Friday so I went along. It was surprisingly fun. Now, I am not opposed to Black Friday and have actually braved the crowds the past few years, but never want anything badly enough to get up in the middle of the night and go stand in line for the mere chance to get it. I avoid electronics in general and certain stores -Walmart- in particular. (They always run out of stuff before I get there). I enjoy perusing the adds on Thanksgiving, make a list, prioritize the list and then go whenever I get up on Friday. Usually it is for things I need rather than gifts since I tend to shop early in the season for gifts and am often done by Thanksgiving. I stop for coffee or get breakfast with a friend. When I am tired, I go home. It's actually a pretty relaxing day and although I have missed a lot of deals, I have gotten a lot, too!
I don't much care for crowds, but I have always enjoyed Black Friday. The first year I went, I started early in Walmart's parking lot. The store was not yet open and people were already parking on curbs in the grass. LOL, I left, and these days if I do go to Walmart on BF, I go later in the day, not at opening. I remind myself that it will be crowded, I'm part of what makes it crowded, I could get everything I think is a good deal, or nothing. I go for the seasonal excitement. When my children were small, I left them home with their dad. All of us went this year, on Thursday - I had complained that it wasn't the same going on Thursday, but one of my daughters wanted to go....and I loved it. Here, it wasn't as crowded as Black Friday had always been. That may change as the concept of shopping on Thanksgiving begins to grow on people. I don't do $1 flip flop shopping though.
Forks in eyeballs please!
I totally agree with this! Having an autistic child who can’t deal with waiting in lines and crowds taught us very early that the special events or free admission dates were not at all worth it. Give me the quiet less busy times and I will be happy to pay full price. It is awesome that some places do sensory friendly dates now too.