BLACK FRIDAY: boom shopping or dark side of capitalism

[tenni]

Today is Black Friday in the US. It is reported as the day of bargains for Christmas shopping. It is the day (I think) that it is stated that businesses make a great deal of money and puts them in the black financially?

Many Canadians join their US cousins in shopping at the bargain prices (?) in the US. This is especially true since the US dollar is just below the Canadian dollar making Canuck bucks worth more in the US. Even when there was a ten cent difference in the dollar or more, Canucks drove across the "bridge" to buy goods that for some pecular reason are cheaper in the US..even without sales like Black Friday.


In order to combat cross shopping, some Canadian stores have slashed their prices on their goods today to compete and make it beneficial for Canucks to shop at home rather than spend money on gas etc. to shop in the US.

There seems to be a darker side imo to this spending on this one particular day? I'm not sure if it is manipulation of the public to spend spend spend. Is this consumerism good or bad? Buying goods that you can not afford doesn't seem like a good economic approach. Putting shopping items on credit cards to be paid in the future on one hand may be ok. On the other hand is this not just "faking" that we have a good economy? Hasn't this Black Friday approach to purchasing been proven to be unhealthy for the average person? Or is it all just fine and great bargain shopping?

Your thoughts?

[gladius]

Yes, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is what puts many a business into the black, i.e. profitable. Having said that, the whole idea of the Black Friday concept has gotten so out of control that it is just disgusting. It is one thing for a company to advertise a lower price to bring in customers, and quite another when said customer acts like a total mutt. I have already read stories today of a knife being pulled on a customer who cut in line, pepper spray being used and I am sure, before the day is done, someone will have been trampled to death. The day is really no different than a South American soccer game.

[darkeyes]

Yes, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is what puts many a business into the black, i.e. profitable. Having said that, the whole idea of the Black Friday concept has gotten so out of control that it is just disgusting. It is one thing for a company to advertise a lower price to bring in customers, and quite another when said customer acts like a total mutt. I have already read stories today of a knife being pulled on a customer who cut in line, pepper spray being used and I am sure, before the day is done, someone will have been trampled to death. The day is really no different than a South American soccer game.
How about making a less racist and xenophobic comparison Gladys? One a little closer to home?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2005/dec/07/ussport.football

A little old hat and not an American view? Then how about this?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/fan-violence-is-an-issue-nfl-and-its-teams-cant-ignore/2011/08/24/gIQAg5MObJ_story.html

I think sales and shopping are gr8 fun btw.. but I do accept the general point u make but I and most people have better things to do than risk life and limb in pursuit of a bargain.. or at least they should.

[FunE1]

A friend of mine posted on his FB about the irony of celebrating Thanksgiving -- the day we are to be mindful and thankful of all that we have -- and following that with a mad, often violent rush to get out a purchase as much new stuff as we can possibly afford.

[12voltman59]

I am not taking part in "Black Friday" at all-I haven't for years now----but it does get me---when I looked at scores of ad inserts in yesterday's morning paper--it got me at some of "the great deals" that were being offered on many items---deals that if you were looking to get those items--you would really have to consider heading out and going through all that being in the huge crowds----two examples---first--a really nice "super zoom" Nikon camera---the camera was being offered by a few "big box retailers" like Wal-Mart and Target for $99 bucks--but in the fliers sent out by Cord Camera and Dodds Camera---two big camera chains in my area--had the same, very good camera for around $300.

All of the big box retailers like Wal-Mart, Sears and Target are offering---on Black Friday only----Dyson Vacuum cleaner models for around $250--almost fully half off their normal prices.

What gets me---if retailers can so cut those prices on this one special day---why not just cut the usual MSRP prices for those items say a hundred bucks or so, but during the entire Christmas shopping season--instead of having one big huge crushing shopping day--not just offer those items at say another 30% or so off for the entire period?

To me---as good as these and other "deals" are on many items today---even though I am tempted to get some of them--I just don't want to buy into this "game" the retailers are playing.

[Annika L]

I won't fight crowds for bargains...the money "saved" isn't worth my time or stress.

But neither do I see any dark side in this...except perhaps in human nature generally...the fact that many people *do* see a few dollars saved as being worth time and stress in their lives (and that they probably end up buying things they wouldn't have spent money on anyway). I'm not sure how it can be branded as manipulation, except inasmuch as *any* sale can be branded as manipulation...and I would not be willing to entertain such tight economic control (in the name of fiscal transparency) as to eliminate a merchant's ability to set their own prices.

Yes, consumerism in general is not healthy. No, I do not support treating capitalism as a religion (not that the US does, really...we engage in such shameful amounts of corporate socialism that I can't imagine why people rail so much against socialism that benefits individuals). But is Black Friday evil? I just don't see it. Rather, it's just one more cultural event in my society (a society I do consider ill in many ways...and this is perhaps one symptom of that illness) in which I do not take part.

[Jobelorocks]

I don't like shopping in major retail stores anyways. Since I am very far from home, I do my shopping online (so I can have the gifts shipped directly to where I need them). I usually do all my shopping on Novica.com which is a fair trade site through National Geographic. They are always really unique and beautiful items, not to mention it helps out artisans all over the world instead of the already rich.

[void()]

Yesterday, I enjoyed a feast in honor of counting my blessings. Here is
my humble list of my most important blessings.

1. I am loved and love a beautiful wife, and boyfriend
2. Me and wife have shelter, clothing, food. My boyfriend has these too
3. Despite a few ailments, I am as healthy as able to be .

In having those three items, I realized there was little need of much
else. Not really sure why everyone tries selling us on needing the
"newest" and "grandest", fancy baubles. Suppose ultimately it is an
appeal to immature and insecure egos.

Here's a small list of things I think would be nice to have for the
holidays.

1. All the items remaining from the day of counting blessings
2. A few more pair of nice sweat pants with pockets
3. A couple cheesy second hand video games to simply pass time

Really not too concerned if I don't get two and three off that holiday
list. They are simply items that are nice extras. I don't need them
exactly.

Maybe I am simply odd in realizing once basics needs are met, little
need for much else exists. If so, I am at least in good company.

[DiamondDog]

I've never bought anything on Black Friday/buy nothing day. I did however see an ad for a very nice HP laptop that was only $275 but there's no need for it.

[welickit]

It is just greed Tenni. New generations thrive on it. Between that, unions and big chain stores the country is going to hell. Family values departed years ago. Parents bought off their kids rather than spend time with them. They tossed fast food and electronic games at them rather than tend to their needs. Now those little buggers are running companies and the country. They learned greed early on and it just gets worse. The shopping isn't unhealthy, the people who didn't raise their kids to proper values are unhealthy. There is a line between good business practice and all out greed.

As for crossing the bridge, I can remember crossing the bridge because things were cheaper in Canada. The girls were pretty friendly also.

[pepperjack]

I heard a news report earlier this week of some people in Tampa, Florida who were already camped by a Target store LAST Friday, waiting for today! One participant admitted to having forfeited celebrating Thanksgiving entirely in favor of sleeping on concrete in his tent all week.:rolleyes:

[gladius]

I've never bought anything on Black Friday/buy nothing day. I did however see an ad for a very nice HP laptop that was only $275 but there's no need for it.

Ditto. The whole thing makes me sick. And as I said earlier, the stories just got more extreme as the news of them came in. I was in a Walmart, earlier this evening, and there was a present police presence in the store. Kudos to the town elders.

[pepperjack]

Thanksgiving, where I work,is known as ' Hell Week ' because I work for a newspaper & that is the largest paper we put out during the entire year because of all the advertising inserts. Damn, someone could be bludgeoned to death with that paper! :yikes2: It's hyper-stressful, chaotic, insane! Advertising accounts for over 70% of our revenue. I joked with a co-worker on Wed. that the end of Thanksgiving Eve was something to be ' grateful ' for. My back is still somewhat achy but thank God it's behind me once again. Got the week-end to recover.:impleased

[void()]

Thanksgiving, where I work,is known as ' Hell Week ' because I work for a newspaper & that is the largest paper we put out during the entire year because of all the advertising inserts. Damn, someone could be bludgeoned to death with that paper! :yikes2: It's hyper-stressful, chaotic, insane! Advertising accounts for over 70% of our revenue. I joked with a co-worker on Wed. that the end of Thanksgiving Eve was something to be ' grateful ' for. My back is still somewhat achy but thank God it's behind me once again. Got the week-end to recover.:impleased

You guys don't have a mechanical means to slip the inserts into the papers? No, I'm not asking to attack or degrade. I am genuinely curious. I worked at Friendship (http://www.friendship-industries.com/FI-Web/DesktopDefault.aspx) in the mail and print shop. They had various machines, one folded pamphlets, inserts. Another stuffed envelopes or slid in inserts. The also had a bander that we used to band bulk heaps of magazines, which then got sorted via zip code and put into appropriate respective sacks and then into mail out transport carts. The guy from the post office came in each morning, loaded his truck with these carts.

It seems odd to me a large newspaper would not have similar machinery. But again, I'm not trying to state that as an affront or belittling. Just thinking it would be rather difficult having to load each paper via hand with inserts, more costly too as machines could do it in less time, where as paying people to do it racks up hourly wages plus the electric costs.

And yes, I understand you still need people to load the machine hoppers and bins. You still need people to double check the sorting, or sort. I never really found the mail and print shop too stressful. We had a system of three strikes. Our supervisor would give us a freebie to get started.

We could make one mistake free, then if we had three mistakes we got sent back over to bench work. Otherwise, there wasn't any real pressuring demands regarding the work itself. You had to read, be accurate, be able to be kind of quick.

As it was a sheltered work environment, the contracts got to us earlier than usual. This gave us up to a week extra in time to complete a job, sometimes. Other times we got one day turn around jobs. We did those too, and well enough that we had some repeat orders. Without using the machines though, I'm sure that would been a lost work source as we were far from super humanly fast.

[pepperjack]

You guys don't have a mechanical means to slip the inserts into the papers? No, I'm not asking to attack or degrade. I am genuinely curious. I worked at Friendship (http://www.friendship-industries.com/FI-Web/DesktopDefault.aspx) in the mail and print shop. They had various machines, one folded pamphlets, inserts. Another stuffed envelopes or slid in inserts. The also had a bander that we used to band bulk heaps of magazines, which then got sorted via zip code and put into appropriate respective sacks and then into mail out transport carts. The guy from the post office came in each morning, loaded his truck with these carts.

It seems odd to me a large newspaper would not have similar machinery. But again, I'm not trying to state that as an affront or belittling. Just thinking it would be rather difficult having to load each paper via hand with inserts, more costly too as machines could do it in less time, where as paying people to do it racks up hourly wages plus the electric costs.

And yes, I understand you still need people to load the machine hoppers and bins. You still need people to double check the sorting, or sort. I never really found the mail and print shop too stressful. We had a system of three strikes. Our supervisor would give us a freebie to get started.

We could make one mistake free, then if we had three mistakes we got sent back over to bench work. Otherwise, there wasn't any real pressuring demands regarding the work itself. You had to read, be accurate, be able to be kind of quick.

As it was a sheltered work environment, the contracts got to us earlier than usual. This gave us up to a week extra in time to complete a job, sometimes. Other times we got one day turn around jobs. We did those too, and well enough that we had some repeat orders. Without using the machines though, I'm sure that would been a lost work source as we were far from super humanly fast.


Yes, we have a large inserter ( kind of resembles a carousel ) and also strapping machinery, mechanical conveyors, etc. Don't know why you assumed we didn't. During a regular workweek we also have a more relaxed atmosphere but Hell Week is aptly named. I didn't sleep the sleep of the exhausted last night for no reason.

[darkeyes]

Yes, we have a large inserter ( kind of resembles a carousel ) and also strapping machinery, mechanical conveyors, etc. Don't know why you assumed we didn't. During a regular workweek we also have a more relaxed atmosphere but Hell Week is aptly named. I didn't sleep the sleep of the exhausted last night for no reason.
Large insererter?? Strapon??? wot do ya get up t..... oooo soz Pepper.. Strapping.. wondered just wot kind of newspaper u worked for for a mo... silly me... :impleased

[void()]

Yes, we have a large inserter ( kind of resembles a carousel ) and also strapping machinery, mechanical conveyors, etc. Don't know why you assumed we didn't. During a regular workweek we also have a more relaxed atmosphere but Hell Week is aptly named. I didn't sleep the sleep of the exhausted last night for no reason.

Didn't really assume you didn't. Your original post though implied a sense of despair which to me seemed rather exaggerated. I thought maybe you lacked the machines, and that would account for the high levels of stress more so. I don't find that sort of work stressful myself, yet can admit I've only done it in sheltered environment. Could understand if one didn't read it would be difficult. Just couldn't comprehend why you found it stressful. I actually liked the work when I did it, enjoyed meeting the deadlines or getting done way before them and on to a next job. :) We would fill our shipping sacks to no more than 50 pounds. The guy from the post office let me fill them to 70 because I could handle them, but I had to make sure my supervisor didn't catch me. *chuckles* But that wasn't stressful, he would just grin and tell me to not load them too heavy.

[pepperjack]

Large insererter?? Strapon??? wot do ya get up t..... oooo soz Pepper.. Strapping.. wondered just wot kind of newspaper u worked for for a mo... silly me... :impleased


Can't imagine why a large inserter would pique your curiosity.;)

[darkeyes]

Can't imagine why a large inserter would pique your curiosity.;)Trust me Pep.. we have a gud ole selection of inserters large and not quite so large.. Rog for a start and of course the luffly Sybina... and a lil 1 called Flaky is handy for in me handbag... among otha pieces of equipment.. mechanical, electrical and human powered all to convey a feeling of happiness, joy an' contentment 2 2 girls on south side of this luffly ole town...:impleased.. and on occasion, luffly if sometimes nowty man, we add 2 our lil collection wen ther is a sale on... as well as sometimes wen ther's not... ;)

[pepperjack]

Trust me Pep.. we have a gud ole selection of inserters large and not quite so large.. Rog for a start and of course the luffly Sybina... and a lil 1 called Flaky is handy for in me handbag... among otha pieces of equipment.. mechanical, electrical and human powered all to convey a feeling of happiness, joy an' contentment 2 2 girls on south side of this luffly ole town...:impleased.. and on occasion, luffly if sometimes nowty man, we add 2 our lil collection wen ther is a sale on... as well as sometimes wen ther's not... ;)


Now there's an idea! How about a Black Friday sale at one of these? :smilies15 http://www.lionsdengold.com/

[pepperjack]

Didn't really assume you didn't. Your original post though implied a sense of despair which to me seemed rather exaggerated. I thought maybe you lacked the machines, and that would account for the high levels of stress more so. I don't find that sort of work stressful myself, yet can admit I've only done it in sheltered environment. Could understand if one didn't read it would be difficult. Just couldn't comprehend why you found it stressful. I actually liked the work when I did it, enjoyed meeting the deadlines or getting done way before them and on to a next job. :) We would fill our shipping sacks to no more than 50 pounds. The guy from the post office let me fill them to 70 because I could handle them, but I had to make sure my supervisor didn't catch me. *chuckles* But that wasn't stressful, he would just grin and tell me to not load them too heavy.

No despair or exaggeration; just simply telling it like it is. The expression ' Hell Week ' was coined by business dept. supervisor who has been there for a long time. You remind me of one of the most obnoxious coworkers I've ever had to deal with. He exaggerates like hell, lies outrageously, constantly brags, toots his own horn, indulges in oneupmanship, very self-aggrandizing. He suffers from this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superiority_complex

[void()]

No despair or exaggeration; just simply telling it like it is. The expression ' Hell Week ' was coined by business dept. supervisor who has been there for a long time. You remind me of one of the most obnoxious coworkers I've ever had to deal with. He exaggerates like hell, lies outrageously, constantly brags, toots his own horn, indulges in oneupmanship, very self-aggrandizing. He suffers from this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superiority_complex

*chuckles* Guess technology has proven impersonal in our case. You've wholly misread me as a person and have no clue. I say that not as a boast or to self agrandize, "telling it like it is" the same as you.

[pepperjack]

*chuckles* Guess technology has proven impersonal in our case. You've wholly misread me as a person and have no clue. I say that not as a boast or to self agrandize, "telling it like it is" the same as you.

No I haven't! I can read & read between the lines. It's you who has copped out on life in his 40's,especially in the workforce. It's you who doesn't have a clue! I should have known better than to try & engage in meaningful conversation with you. You're right....Fuck the Bozo....YOU!:smilies15

[void()]

No I haven't! I can read & read between the lines. It's you who has copped out on life in his 40's,especially in the workforce. It's you who doesn't have a clue! I should have known better than to try & engage in meaningful conversation with you. You're right....Fuck the Bozo....YOU!:smilies15

Well, I didn't realize you degrading me as per your usual course was "meaningful conversation". Sorry about not catching that.

Also, just so you are aware there is far more to life and living than work, this site, petty squabbles. Truthfully, I thought it would actually please you to note I am withdrawing from the site a lot more, and it is a pro-active move for me. This site can consume too much time for too little reward. I'm taking responsibility and not letting it suck away my time. Sure, that's coping out alright.

Meanwhile, I have been active here at home. I help tend to various odd jobs, rick firewood, help move it down for a grandfather, keep the family's pellet stove clean and filled with pellets. I also try keeping the house clean. There are other different things I get into as well. Frankly, it's dull horse manure to discuss here or anywhere else. People live, people do the same things. So what?

The point being you've misread what you see. That's not really a surprise when you consider degrading others as "meaningful conversation". Does it really bring you pleasure to cause others bad times? If so, and you suggest that is an example of how to live, then you can keep it. Got my own living, thanks.

Actually, think I might get it. You'll miss me when I'm gone. Sadly, I doubt it's because you care. Well, I can say too I don't care either. Won't miss you a bit.

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

An event to be avoided at all costs...in my humble opinion, anyway. No way in hell am I going to go battle a bunch of sale-crazed idjets over something that I can purchase wholesale, on-line, for about or cheaper(I have a wholesale/resale licence) what they are dukeing it out over. I can sit right here in my sleepers if I choose to, and enjoy the comfort of my own home and still get the same results without the manic-panic most shoppers undergo.
Nutz...
Cat.

[darkeyes]

Wotta bunch of wusses and killjoys... wont say I go 2 sales and make fool a mesel and certainly dont fite over owt.. take me time..saunter round and get and c wots on offer.. like ne 1 else.. get miffed if Ive had me eye on summat and it is gone but ther is always summat else.. our equivalent of Black Friday is after Crimbo or New year.. sale isnt 1 day and I never go 2 sales on Boxing day or Jan 2cd... so the worst of crushes such as ther r I avoid.. like ne other recession or economic hard times ther r always sales on ne way... dusnt bother me if prices r lowered even further for xmas or New Year sales... u lot ova ther r lucky cos at least the biggest sale is b4 Crimbo..we poor ratbags have 2 wait till we've got... then get sum more...

Is it unhealthy? For some.. if yas daft enuff 2 let it stress and ya get ther days b4 hand and camp out.. or fite peeps for stuff... sounds stupid 2 me...better things 2 do wiv me life however much I like a bargain.. I never shop on line cos I like to know zactly wot I'm getting b4 I have it in me house, on me back or feet.. is it big sinister ploy by capitalism and biz? Yea course it is.. we live in a capitalist society dominated by big biz and they have to clear out stuff so they can try and flog us new stuff... depends wot peeps shop for at sale time... but I luff shopping and I adore sales.. am not stupid bout it tho and it doesn't control me day... and certainly not me life.. but I'd rather buy a dress at 120 quid than 250 or boots at 60 than 140 ne time... if ya can get it cheaper by doing it in comfort of ya own home fine.. do it.. not my way... wen i shop I like to shop... feel the goods.. try em on... pain in arse buying on line and sending back... chill.. have fun shopping on Black Friday or Boxing Day or after New Year...... just don't stress bout it and go 2 war... tootle round... let everyone else stress if they havta... just have fun.. I always do...