Before the Thanksgiving turkey timer has popped up, folks are thinking Black Friday ads. Every store promises the best Black Friday sales. But where's the allure of waiting in a frigid parking in the middle of the night for a cheap TV only to be trampled by fellow TV seekers? (hint: none). Here are 10 reasons to boycott Black Friday plus still get great deals on Christmas gifts.
Leaked deals aren't (leaked that is).
"Leaked" ads: what a dumb term--like some Julian Assange wannabe blew the deal whistle. Thanksgiving ads are no secret. Companies post them right on the website.
They want you to scrabble like chickens. They don't care that you come home from Christmas shopping bloodied as long as you buy. But you shouldn't and here's why.
Deal or dud?
Black Fridays bargains aren't always deals. A few years ago, Techlicious said what those with common sense have always known, that BF "deals" are junk versions of products made just for that sale. Take the cheapo Element TVs--seriously, take them and drop them at the dump! Many stores have a 48" Element HDTV at Thanksgiving sales but the website doesn't even show that model. And just try to help with or service on that Christmas "bargain," but don't blame store workers if you can't.
Employees exploited.
What was that about Thanksgiving sales?
Yup--stores, led by Walmart, now host weekend-long marathons, some going all night, starting on Turkey Day. Employees hated it because, oh, maybe they wanted to spend the holiday with family. Also, don't call it "Black" (as in foreboding and evil) for nothing. Otherwise normal people become maniacs pursuing that Elsa doll. Ask anyone who's worked Black Weekend: they'd rather have a double root canal unsedated.
And all so folks can buy stuff they don't need and can't afford.
Do you need it?
So the $50 Keurig is a good deal. That's not the question which is do you need it? Don't encourage the Black Friday hawkers buying their dumb junk. They'll just make more dumber junk next Christmas season. Remember Econ 101: it's supply and demand, folks.
What you demand, they will reduce supplies of, to make you want it more. Or they will raise the price. Don't feed this troll. And speaking of trolls...
Avoid dangerous expectations.
On Christmas morn, does your kid look down from Mount Christmas Present with a Grinchy green-eyed gleam and demand "where's the rest?" Then you, parents, have only yourselves to blame. If you go hog wild holiday shopping, children will expect not equal, but greater spending every year. If you must shop Black Friday, get one or two gifts per person only.
Can you afford it?
No really, can you? Be forensic in your budget and ruthlessly honest. If you can't answer yes--without going into hock or selling a kidney--then boycott Black Friday.
You WILL overspend and November's fun will be January's headache. What deal is worth a financially unsound New Year?
Factor all costs.
When calculating prices, add in all the variables: time spent, weather, babysitter, stress, wear and tear on the car, anxiety, crabby children, crabby husband, gas, lost time with family, bruises, waiting in traffic, waiting in line, lunch, sleep, peace of mind, safety, product value. Weigh the "bargain" against the mountain of obstacles and you'll find that too-good-to-be-true deals are just that.
Wait.
Don't get bit by hurry-before-its-gone fever. That's impulse shopping and never bodes well. Shop later in the holiday weekend. Will the hot deal be gone? Maybe. But there's a good chance some merchandiser bought too much and there'll be lots left--that or it wasn't worth it.
Either way, you didn't lose a limb just to get that iPod you didn't need.
Shop another day.
Very often, the better deals are to be had at sales besides Black Friday. Check out Walmart's Jump-Start Savings sale for example. Or shop online Cyber Monday.Or best of all, save money to donate to those in need on Giving Tuesday.
