Cybershopping or Brave the Crowd???

[samrhett2]

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?

[mynevaeh]

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.

[loriecampbell]

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.

[samrhett2]

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!

[mynevaeh]

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!

[jski107]

Cybershopping all the way!  I hate crowds and obnoxious people so I don't think I could stand those Black Friday shopping crowds 

[jadedangel421]

I've always worked every black friday so I'll be working not shopping

[gbabesmom]

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.

[pkrahmer]

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.

[lvstephanie]

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.

[GramPolly3]

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.

[mynevaeh]

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.

[samrhett2]

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.

[itzkt]

obviously brave the crowds
the adrenaline pumping through your veins
make it a fun experience

[bigfoot951]

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.