Ask the Readers: To Shop or Not to Shop?
Editor's Note: Congratulations to Jenn, Margaret Davis, and michelle for winning this week's contest!
The Black Friday ads have once again invaded TV screens and mailboxes across the nation. With many stores offering insane early bird specials, many people are planning on waking up at the crack of dawn to take advantage of sales. However, there are plenty of people who would rather sleep in than be up before 5am .
To shop or not to shop? That is the question! Will you be up early to take advantage of sales? Or will you still be sleeping when the stores open their doors on the morning of Black Friday?
Tell us if you will be shopping this Black Friday and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards
We're doing three giveaways — one for random comments, one for random Facebook "Likes", and another one for random tweets.
Mandatory Entry:
- Post your answer in the comments below
For extra entries (1 per action):
- Go to our Facebook page, "Like" us, and leave a comment telling us you did, or
- Tweet your answer. You have to be a follower of our @wisebread account. Include both "@wisebread" and "#WBAsk" in your tweet so we'll see it and count it. Leave a link to your tweet (click the timestamp for the individual URL) in a separate comment.
If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.
Giveaway Rules:
- Contest ends Monday, November 28th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after November 28th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
- You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
- This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
- You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.
Note: Due to recent changes in Facebook's promotions guidelines, we have restructured the entry format of our giveaways.
Good Luck!
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I will not be shopping on Black Friday for two reasons: 1) I begin my Christmas shopping a few months in advance so I can avoid the holidy rush; and 2) I simply don't have the patience to wait in line for hours at the crack of dawn. Shopping on Black Friday is a tradition for some families, which I can respect, but it's not for me :)
I know what you mean! I'm not a fan of getting up early to shop either.
Yes, I will be out shopping. It is a tradition the youngest daughter and I started a good number of years ago. We gets some great deals, break for lunch and have a wonderful day together. Would not miss it since she is married now and we don't get to spend much time together!
I shop Black Friday with my sister every year. We just pick up movies,clothes and other small gifts - we mostly avoid the big-ticket items.
oh, hell no...the only time I have done the black Friday thing is when 1 person wanted 1 thing that was available at 1 store. Got up early, got the last one in the store, got out.
Honestly, I prefer Amazon or gift cards.
i'll definitely be shopping on Black Friday...i've done so every year and this year will be no different
i tweeted my answer:
http://twitter.com/#!/queenofgarlands/status/138974475441025026
Absolutely not! The few gimmick promotions are not worth the inflated prices on everything else strategically placed for temptation. And I hate knowing how many employees are not getting to be with their families because of the horrible practice Black Friday has become. Yes, I know some people WANT to work the extra hours, but I bet most of them do not.
I would never go on Black Friday because I can't handle the crowds. We need a new DVD player for our workout dvd's and I plan on buying online on Cyber Monday. I got a great deal on a netbook a couple of years ago from Best Buy. You can get the same deals sitting by the fire with a computer on your lap. Why go out?
The crowds are definitely a nightmare. I agree, if you can get the same deal without leaving your home, might as well avoid going out to shop!
why go out when you can shop online? i'll be sleeping in :)
I'll be sleeping in as well. :)
Shop! Actually, it's a fun tradish for my sister and I. Our Walmart run is going to be on Thanksgiving this year, so we are actually going to get some sleep! I do feel bad that people have to work on Thanksgiving, I wish they would make it on Friday again for the workers. I don't mind getting up early for that fun. Our neighborhood is full of kind people though...no pushing and shouting or anything; actually people call out what they're looking for and others help them find it. It's awesome!
I absolutely will not be going black friday shopping. I think it is crazy to fight all the crowds, rude fighting people to just save a few bucks. Don't get me wrong, I am very frugal and shop sales, use coupons, etc but I don't want to put myself in a position to get run over or hurt to save money.
I like you on facebook.
I'll be in bed, probably far too hungover to wrestle for discounted electronics first thing in the morning.
My family are going out shopping and I will likely tag along. Which also means I might buy something. :(
I will definitely be shopping on Black Friday. Besides loving the excitement of the day, I just can't pass up the deals that are offered. I can usually grab several of the items off of my kid's christmas lists at 50% off or more.
I like my sleep too much and can't deal with crowds so I tend to stay away from the Black Friday madness. Besides I tend to buy my gifts year round just to avoid the holiday rush anyway.
I won't be shopping. Around the time I'll be coming out of my food coma, I'll have to get ready for work.
I'm right there with you. I'm working Friday too. :)
I find better deals online. So I'll be shopping in my PJ's.
Liked on Facebook!
No way! I used to and it was a fun adventure with my family, but now that I'm old I want to sleep. Plus, I would buy a lot of stuff I didn't need and things that weren't great gifts. I get too caught up in the moment of a great deal - it's a problem!
I won't be shopping on Black Friday. My area is way too crowded. I do like the idea of Small Business Saturday though. Happy Thanksgiving!
Although I hate to endorse the Black Midnight, I can't help but go check out the deals!
Our family never shops on Black Friday. I don't want to spend the time, frustration or money. I'd rather stay at home with my family.
Nope. Will not be shopping on Black Friday. In fact, thanks to awesome online deals, I am almost finished Christmas shopping and haven't had to leave the house to do it.
Responded on Twitter. https://twitter.com/#!/1bets1/status/139012887401332739
I've never even been out on Black Friday, but I hate getting up early, crowds, stores, and hype so I don't imagine I'll be doing it any time soon. I do my last minute shopping on Cyber Monday, but most of my gifts are already wrapped and labelled.
Most of my shopping is already done. I will be sleeping in. That way I will also not lose faith in humanity.
Nope, absolutely not. No Black Friday shopping for me that's what Cyber Monday is for. LOL! The deals are so not worth it to me. The price might be right, but the crowds of people are too crazy for me.
I do not plan on shopping for Black Friday! Furthermore, I just think that it's terrible that employees of a lot of these stores work Thanksgiving and Christmas!
I'm not shopping on Black Friday. I'm living frugal and making my gifts this year! Also, the crazy sales don't really happen until later in the holiday season. Black Friday is all about the delightful mayhem, and only worth it to get deals on things you were planning to buy anyway.
That is awesome that you are making your gifts! Kudos to you!
I liked you on Facebook!
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/junethomemaker/status/139018702342463489
I'll be shopping, but probably mostly online. If I'm up and about, I may go out, but only after the stores open. I will not stand in line for 2-3 hours beforehand. There isn't anything that I want to purchase that badly to make it worth waiting out in the cold and fighting with the crowds on that day!
No, I will not be shopping on Black Friday. If I do need anything I'd rather shop online instead of being with the crowd in the shops. I also don't like that lots of shops are opening at midnight this year like Target and Best Buy. Employees deserve family time also.
I'll go to a few stores.
The past few years I've always gone to the used bookstore chain (Half Price Books). They have a good sale (20% off everything) and free gift cards and bags for the first 100 people through the door. The crowds are friendly and polite (it's a used bookstore) and I've had some great conversations while waiting in line each year. Plus they don't open until the reasonably sane hour of 7am, so I don't have to get up crazy early. After the bookstore I may swing by a few other stores, depending on what's on sale. But I do most of my shopping online or at other stores throughout the holiday season.
I might hit up some stores on Black Friday - I have in the past years but there's really nothing I need this year so I haven't decided yet.
No way will I be out there on Black Friday - never did it, never will. I do most of my shopping online anyway, year-round.
I already "Like" you on Facebook.
Any shopping I do that day, I will do online. I hate crowds and traffic. Shopping online is more ecofriendly (energy-efficient) anyway.
I will not be shopping. There isn't anything I need. When I want an item, I comparison shop, watch for specials, rebates or coupons and then wait for a store's 25-30% off coupon (Younkers and Kohl's are infamous for these) However, all of this is usually thwarted by clearance deals at discount stores and on Amazon.
I will out black Friday shopping. I'll have a plan, a detailed list, and a strict budget.
I will probably be shopping for 1 item x3 (3 kids all want the same thing). Only deals to be had on this item tend to be Black Friday.
I will be tucked in and warm in my bed!
I like you on facebook.
I will not be shopping this black Friday as I have already bought for everyone. Last year I bought a TV and it was one of the best purchases but I lucked out because I didn't get it until Black Friday night!
I wouldn't be caught dead outside the house on Black Friday. I do, however, shop the sales online and get the same deals plus free shipping at most stores. :-)
I finished my Christmas shopping November 7th. The adults in my family exchange gift cards, and the teenagers all want cash. The only person in my family who still buys presents is my mother, and we are slowly converting her to just giving gift cards.
Not sure if I'll go or not - depends on what's on sale. Right now, can't think of any gift that might be on sale that I'd need to go out early. I've done Black Friday a lot in the past. Took my stepdaughter a couple of times when she was in her mid-teens. She thought it was a blast. If she wanted to go again, I'd go with her 'cause I love spending time with her.
I don't always shop on Black Friday, but I will be this year. I'm on a special mission to find myself a good deal on a high quality vacuum cleaner, so it's as much about me as it is buying gifts for others this year.
Also, I plan on taking advantage of Black Friday prices to stock home goods like batteries, light bulbs, bathroom tissue, etc., because even if they aren't on sale, I can use a combination of manufacturer coupons and store coupons for % off total purchase.
I'm not shopping this year because of a current cash shortage. Most years I haven't gone because I wasn't in need of anything high dollar and it isn't worth going to save just a couple of bucks. That said, if I had money this year I would be going to get a tablet which I will be paying more for later.
Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/#!/tkharmonic/status/139043063770263552
It depends on what kind of deals I find out about. If there's one I really want to take advantage of (never happened), I'll make sure to get to the store early. Otherwise I'll stroll in at around the time most normal people do and see if I can get some Christmas shopping done.
Not shopping- don't need the stress
Agreed!
Liked you and your post on Facebook.
NO WAY!
nope. no way, no how.
Not! I probably may spend more than I plan to if I see all of the sales right in front of me!
No way am I shopping on Black Friday! Our gifts are homemade.
Just liked you on FB too! Woot! Now where's my Amazon gift card? That's my one stop shop!
I will be out stimulating the economy on Black Friday. I'm not sure what I really want.. but I enjoy going out and getting the "rush" from all the people scrambling! Call me crazy! LOL
I'll be skipping the crowds and shopping online instead.
I don't think it is worth the trouble. There are good deals online if you really need something!
I may venture out, but there isn't anything I need so badly that I'll brave the crowds at the vast majority of places. The day reminds me, actually, of how little I truly need.
I will be sleeping when they open the doors, won't go in that craziness. Tried one year many years ago and froze my butt off with my little one. I walked in the store (i think i was the 12th in line) and within 15 feet one of the associates screamed they were sold out of them. I saw two different people with over 5 of each product. I would rather pay a little more or shop online during black Friday.
Definitely will not be shopping. Too crazy!
Im not going to shop unless it is online or an emergency. No need to adventure out into unneeded chaos. I bought some presents early as well.
This year, I'll be sleeping in Friday morning, but I'll have already hit the midnight sales of the different stores !
I might head down to my local Lowe's after the early rush has passed if I like what I see in their ad. Since I live in a smaller town, Black Friday isn't nearly as crazy here as in larger towns and cities.
I've liked you on FB. https://www.facebook.com/TheWomanIntheMirror
I tweeted a response!
http://twitter.com/#!/GoodEnuf4Oats/status/139067720099565568
Thank you for the giveaway!
I don't think I'll be going. I have in the past and it can be fun just to be out in all of the excitement, but it can also be awful with crowds, crabby people and the lines are super long. I don't need anything and if I go out I'll just end up buying crap I don't need.
I like WB on FB.
Absolutely not!
I probably will not be Black Friday shopping. Things get too crazy here and I'm 7 months pregnant.
I have no intent of being anywhere near a shopping center with real life people. The amount of money that I could 'save' does not equate to the time and frustration that I would have to endure. It is worth paying the extra $2 to avoid such an irritation.
I will NOT be shopping on Black Friday because I spend the whole day decorating the house and tree for Christmas! No better way to get into the spirit for me! :)
That is a wonderful way to spend the day! Enjoy! :)
I like (love) your facebook page!
I personally will be looking for a couple of things on Amazon but not going out. I think if you have some specific you're getting go ahead and go out, but if you are just going to see whats out there, you will spend more and buy more than you need.
I am all done with my Christmas shopping and it was all ordered online. I would never go shopping on Black Friday. The crowds are awful, and I'd rather sleep than shop!
Like you on facebook
We do everything we can to avoid leaving the house on Black Friday. We're too broke this year to do any Christmas shopping anyway (everyone on our list is getting handmade gifts this year), but on years that we're not, we usually hold off until Cyber Monday and do all of our shopping online.
I won't be shopping because I'll be working. Luckily, this year not until 1pm but previous years working in retail and having to get up at 3am to be to work by 4, Black Friday is not traditionally a source or fun or joy. The coupons, deals and sales are mostly a gimmick to get you into the store because they know you'll buy something once you're there. That coupon for 50% off you got in the mail . . . is it only good on regular priced merch? Well, guess what? 80% of the stuff in the store is marked down (especially the one thing you want) just enough to make it ineligible for the coupon. The corporate marketing stiffs who plan those don't care whether or not they piss off their customers because they don't have to deal with them first hand. Those of us at the registers have to. And we're disposable.
There's no way I'm braving the crowds...there's no amount of savings that would make me deal with the frustration of the long lines, no parking places & rude people out that day!
Yes i will
I can save more by shopping online, no black friday shopping for me
Even if I could (and I can't, because my employer has decided to fold under the pressure of the materialistic, greedy, American consumer, and join the 'stroke of 12' madness) I wouldn't ever shop on Black Friday! If one does a little research, those 'great prices' aren't great at all. Today, anything and everything can be purchased online, many times at an even better price, and without the animalistic feeding frenzy.
Will be sleeping, taking advantage of early sales at retailer websites!
i liked the fcb page!
I will be sleeping in bed, dreaming of winning an Amazon Gift Card, so I can cybershop on Monday..
Great answer! :)
I won't be shopping this Friday at all. I don't need anything personally and have already told my family that holiday gifts are going to be minimal this year.
I "like" you on facebook.
I will definitely not be shopping on Black Friday - but best of luck to those who are! Personally, I think it's too much of a buy-in (no pun intended) on our consumer-driven culture.