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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: samrhett2 on November 22, 2011, 04:50:05 pm
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I write a couponing blog that includes the best deals and how to save money. The Black Friday deals are pouring into my mailbox like crazy. Seems everyone is competing for those Christmas dollars. I am more of a cybershopper and will do just about anything to avoid the crowds. However, my sister loves getting up in the dark and rushing to grab the best deals. So I am curious and wanting to get a good blog topic out of this:
Do you prefer to cybershop or do you like going out and braving the crazy crowds? and why?
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I have never liked the whole Black Friday crowds and the waking up at the break of dawn. So I prefer the Cybershopping the only downside is that I cannot use manufacturer coupons online. Because I am a newly extreme couponer so I am all about saving.
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I have never ever done black friday shopping. It's bad enough I work in a mall and will be there on black friday. Nothing is that important for me to wake up early and fight the crowds.
I've lost all respect for the retailers opening at 12:00AM Black Friday. They should be ashamed of themselves for not having the consideration for their employees.
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I agree about not needing anything bad enough to wake up that early. As far as the retailers go, I think it is kind of crazy for them to open at midnight, but as I said, it is obvious to me that there is stiff competition for the holiday dollar, so I guess everyone wants to get a jump on the next guy. I guess if I worked for a retailer I would try to be glad that my employer was working so hard to stay viable. I used to work at a golf course and we were open every day but Christmas. It was just part of the territory but I can understand why people don't like working holidays.
As far as coupons, that is true also. The only stores I am going to on Friday will be CVS and Walgreen. I already have a small CVS trip lined up that puts a profit of $8.50 in my pocket after ECB's and I walk out with about $30 in free stuff. I have not planned my Walgreen trip yet and I would like to hit Rite Aid too, but I won't be waking up early to do it. If I miss a sale I know another one will come around.
Great feedback so far. Thanks!
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I agree about not needing anything bad enough to wake up that early. As far as the retailers go, I think it is kind of crazy for them to open at midnight, but as I said, it is obvious to me that there is stiff competition for the holiday dollar, so I guess everyone wants to get a jump on the next guy. I guess if I worked for a retailer I would try to be glad that my employer was working so hard to stay viable. I used to work at a golf course and we were open every day but Christmas. It was just part of the territory but I can understand why people don't like working holidays.
As far as coupons, that is true also. The only stores I am going to on Friday will be CVS and Walgreen. I already have a small CVS trip lined up that puts a profit of $8.50 in my pocket after ECB's and I walk out with about $30 in free stuff. I have not planned my Walgreen trip yet and I would like to hit Rite Aid too, but I won't be waking up early to do it. If I miss a sale I know another one will come around.
Great feedback so far. Thanks!
Wow that's Great! I haven't planned my shopping trips yet I usually hit RiteAid and Walgreens because I walk out with FREE stuff as well and I'm able to use use coupons along with the sales which is always exciting. So i have to print out so more coupons and create my shopping list. Happy ThanksGiving!
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Cybershopping all the way! I hate crowds and obnoxious people so I don't think I could stand those Black Friday shopping crowds :sad1:
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I've always worked every black friday so I'll be working not shopping :(
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I used to shop on black friday, but these days i like to shop on the web. It's less stressful for me. I stopped going about 2 years ago after I had seen people fighting over a tv in the parking lot.
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I actually do both but I never shop on Black Friday. This year I will actually be volunteering at a local thrift shop. Business has been really good at the thrift shop. We are hoping for records that all on Black Friday.
I have to admit that if given a choice I prefer to start cyber shop. :peace: :wave:
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I'll actually be working Thanksgiving... A friend and I run a karaoke gig every Wed. and Thurs. nights, and the bar wants us to have a Thanksgiving show too. So considering that the show ends around 1am, cleanup the music equipment will take till 2, and cleaning up from the Thanksgiving feast we're also having that night, I wouldn't be surprised if I can get home by 3. And with stores opening not much later, I'll probably just stay up for that and nap after shopping.
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I have always disliked the concept of Black Friday and have never participated. To me it is an exhibit of greed on the part of merchants and customers.
I am all for a bargain, don't get me wrong, but the kind of behavior that Black Friday brings out is really offensive.
I cyber shop throughout the year and take advantage of some of the coupons, free shipping etc just as a matter of course.
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Yeah a few years back here in my neighborhood someone got trampled as the doors opened at my local walmart. I wasn't there but my sister was working that night. People actually would camp out here until the doors open and some would just wait for you to shop and then rob you, so they had to put cameras all over the parking lot. For that reason I have never participated in the Black Friday crowds, besides they would only bring out about 10 of each advertised deals. So it was not worth my time. Cybershop all the way and Extreme Couponing the remaining days depending on the deals. I do my research first.
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Wow! So far no one really likes fighting the crowd, so it makes me wonder...... Who are these people? lol
I agree that people's behavior is shocking. Remember a few years ago that a pregnant woman got trampled at Walmart and they knocked a worker off a ladder as they rushed into the store. I love deals, but why do people throw manners out the window when it comes to wanting to score deals?
Also, lots of people working. I used to work every Thanksgiving and Black Friday when I was a manager because it allowed one of my staff to be off. I never minded and it made me feel good because they were always thankful.
Again, I wonder who these people are that brave the crowds, since all of us either seem to be working, cybershopping or avoiding it alltogether.
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obviously brave the crowds
the adrenaline pumping through your veins
make it a fun experience
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Cybershopping. I think it is great that the black friday sales are starting to be available online. This way we can take advantage of the deals without pulling our hair out.
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I agree, I think the better sales are usually online
and you don't have to deal with all the people/lines
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I am a cyber shopper. You can still use your coupons online, plus most places offer free shipping. Also, some places only offer certain things online that you can't find in stores. So I save the money in gas, I get my sleep, and I keep my sanity.
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Cyber shopping for me, but not today. I have never gotten up early or stayed up all night to go shopping. I was told that people were camping out at one of the stores here as early as Wednesday afternoon. that is nuts!
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I much prefer cyber-shopping. As I said on another part of the forum, I have never shopped on Black Friday in the stores, and I'm too old to start now!!
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I definitely prefer to shop online.
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I do a little of both... but NEVER do I go out on Black Friday. I think it is crazy to fight the crowds over a couple of dollars in savings. I will be buying most items online but some i will be going to the mall for next week. I actually have already started and I order some things online at ETSY and some from Amazon this morning.
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I never was a Black Friday store shopper - I don't really like going on "regular" days either. I'm cybershopping all the way.
What I've found is more and more, the online sales mostly match the store sales, and the online sales tend to last longer (the whole weekend - sometimes there are special times only offers, but most are the whole weekend). So not only the online sales are just as good, but often, most include free shipping (straight to your door - how cool is that).
Combine that with an Ebates membership - where a lot of popular stores double their rebates on Black Friday weekend - you pretty much come out ahead (when you factor in the extra rebates).
Today I got a 10% rebate on my Barnes & Noble order, 22% on my Murad (skin care) order - and I'm looking into some items to get with a Bloomingdale's gift card I have (they're giving 6% cash back) and Sports Authority exercise equipment (they're giving 12% cash back). I got 3% back on my Walmart order from another GPT site (Ebates rebate was only 2%). I like to compare rebate offers between the different GPT shopping sites and Ebates and choose the one with the best rate to make my purchase.
I found sometimes it's the planning to leverage these type of kickbacks when you make purchases to maximize your return/savings. That's why I typically use online these days.
Granted not all the stores I shop at have rebate offers (like my Amazon order), but most do - so that, and the convenience of not dealing with the crowds/parking/crazy traffic, then having the items shipped to my door - more than makes cyber-shopping worth every penny.
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i dont care for black friday shopping too many sales not enought of the items to go around. I am in Kansas visinting friends anway so i wont go
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If I want to do my real shopping I get up early or go late to a store on a Sunday night in order to avoid the crowds. However there is something about being out in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that I enjoy.
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cybershopping...easier, more relaxing, gives me more freedom, takes less time, it's safer (nothing can get stolen/no one can be shot), and I don't get distracted/tempted by items in the store
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I am a cyber shopper. You can still use your coupons online, plus most places offer free shipping. Also, some places only offer certain things online that you can't find in stores. So I save the money in gas, I get my sleep, and I keep my sanity.
@ Sunshine4372 So I can still use manufacturers coupons online? I'm talking about the one's I get like in the Sunday Newspaper and Print online. I know that I can use coupon codes and what not but they are not the same deals. If so then I will definitely be shopping much more online and which stores do you know of for sure take them? Thanks. ;D
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I am a cyber shopper. You can still use your coupons online, plus most places offer free shipping. Also, some places only offer certain things online that you can't find in stores. So I save the money in gas, I get my sleep, and I keep my sanity.
@ Sunshine4372 So I can still use manufacturers coupons online? I'm talking about the one's I get like in the Sunday Newspaper and Print online. I know that I can use coupon codes and what not but they are not the same deals. If so then I will definitely be shopping much more online and which stores do you know of for sure take them? Thanks. ;D
I don't know of any site that allow this other than Alice.com and they apply the coupons. Alice has a deal with manufacturers to ofter electronic coupons automatically for products you buy. If a coupon is out there, Alice will apply it and you can see the saving even before adding the products to your list. For example, in the image below: Suave shampoo is normally priced at $1.10, but a $0.50 coupon is available for you to use. The New item price is then $0.60.
or my Piggly Wiggly which allows you to click and shop. You choose your items and they pick and pack them for you, then you can either come in and pick them up or they will even bring them out to your car. You bring you coupons and the will scan them and give you a credit which they deduct from you next order. There is a $5 charge for this service, but if you have a lot of coupons and a big grocery list with a busy life it is probably worth it.
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Cyber shopping. I really don't like shopping as it is, much less braving crowds to get a bargain.
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I would not mind shopping on black Friday to get nice bargains, but i would not want to deal with all those people during Black Friday! I'll just shop at Walmart online!
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Usually I don't brave the crowds but I did this year because I wanted a bunch of the preschool games that they had on sale at Target for $3.99. :) So I went at midnight for my son and then when I saw the ENORMOUS supply they had stockpiled I took my son back later that day to choose some games to donate to the local Toy Drive.
I will be at least looking at the Cyber Monday deals. Fingers crossed that the ergonomic keyboard that I have been obsessing over is on sale!!!
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Cyber shopping is a lot safer I think..and you can do it whenever you want to. I wouldn't dare go out shopping on black friday or if I do go shopping I get out early and get what I need. People are insane over sales and people get hurt or even killed over a few bucks and people are ok with that?? It kinda makes me sick to think people can be that way and have a conscience! I'll stick to buying what I want to get when I want and not worry over a few $$
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I never get into the Black Friday deals.
Unless we are buying the usual weekly groceries, then I just shop at home.
Most of the things I buy online are supplements, CDs and sometimes clothing.
I just LOVE the internet!
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I prefer cybershopping, people are crazy lol.