Did anyone venture out on Black Friday?? (Gastonia, Columbus: sale, home)

[ShuttrBug]

No venturing here... not even out the front door. Couldn't think of anything I really wanted, or for that matter, even needed. Not much in the shopping mood this year. Is it just me?
Then someone sent me this article, turned my black friday into bleak friday!
Gerald Celente: Food Riots, Tax Rebellions By 2012

[akpreets]

DH went to Toys R Us, just to get scared of the long line to enter the building and billing. Then went to another store and bought some toys for the kids. Later during the day, we went out to buy some other things.

All the malls were packed to the full. Could not find a parking spot a couple of times. There were long lines for billing at JCPenney, Kohl's etc. Carts were filled with toys, clothes, appliances etc... Did somebody say recession?

[Megax]

Went to the university locations of Kohl's, TJ Maxx and Dick's Sporting Goods around 4pm yesterday and it actually was a lot quieter than expected - didn't wait in line at any store.

Upon returning home, I found a couple of items that I'd just purchased were actually cheaper on eBay, so looks like I'll be returning a few things.

[scarlet52698]

I had planned on going out because it's a tradition with us but I couldn't get into it this year. We aren't making any large purchases right now and the toys for the kids are coming from online stores since we are doing mostly educational stuff this year. (my boys have discovered science is cool) LOL

[gentlearts]

Heavens, no. I would NEVER get into that mess. I am already almost done shopping and I'll finish up online, with maybe a few trips to the mall in non peak hours.

[mullman]

Nope, home all day yesterday relaxing with the kids.

I did go to the Apple Store @ Southpark today and get the latest MacBook Pro though.

[mkforu]

I went to Belks at Carolina Place Mall around 11:40am on Black Friday and the parking lot was PACKED!!! I couldn't find a parking space anywhere so I went home. Now the shopping area across the street (Jason's Deli, Best Buy, Lifeway Christian Store, Home Depot) there was plenty of parking in that area.

[md to nc]

Nope stayed in this year. Use to venture out at 3am to wait in line at Kohls at 4am but not this year. My largest purchase was a laptop for my kids which I got Black Friday at Dell.com for $299 and free shipping. I did go out around 8am to Lowe's in IT and there were probably 5 people in the entire store. I went for the $21 rug on special. went right home afterwards. Same deals in the stores are also online this year. Less gas but still free shipping, win win situation...lol

[BrianH1970]

Apparently a lot of retailers did better than expected on Friday. someone posted somewhere else about the media and their fear mongering during this whole crisis. To an extent I have to agree this is partially media driven. My nightly deal has become to exclaim, "Come on Chahhhlie, give us the bad news" before Gibson's 6:30 pm newscast (not to mention pictures of "Happy Wall Street guy" and "Distressed Wall Street Guy" in print). We're just getting battered constantly with this news, so much so that those who may not have anything to really worry about are reacting in the same manner that those that do have something to worry about are.

My initial feeling was that you'll have the same amount of people buying, just not spending as much. It looks like it makes you ask, "What recession", yet stores aren't doing as well because of newly formed shopping habits.

I guess that wasn't the case on Friday to the tune of a 3% increase in sales. I'm sure that won't sit well with the media. Just look at AP's article and tell me if they don't nearly trip over themselves attempting to add in the doom and gloom at every turn.

Early data shows strong Black Friday shopping - Yahoo! News

In fact, the last few weekends I've seen Concord Mills Mall paaaaaacked and a lot of people doing more than just browsing.

Four consecutive days' worth of growth back in the stock market and an unexpectedly strong Black Friday. I mean ya think? Maaayyyyybe? I mean could it be that the worst might reeeeally be behind....nahhhhh, we'll have "Chahhhlie" and the rest of the media to make sure that our optimism is short lived.

[himain]

I second that on Concord Mills mall. I drive by it all the time and especially on weekends lately, its been a total zoo.