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AIBU?

To think Black Friday should be just that?

24 replies

ScoobyCan · 20/11/2018 09:40

AIBU to think that Black Friday should be restricted to just one day?

The amount of tat that I never knew I needed or wanted, has been exhibited to me via a very well known online vendor for several days ALREADY, and if I wasn't on a ridiculously strict Christmas budget I could have spent a fortune. On stuff I don't need.

Last year they did the very same, started a week in advance, and by the time it was actually Black Friday, the deals on the day were shit. This year I am really hopeful it is the other way round: I've seen nothing of real value in terms of "deals" (I personally am not interested in the electronics, more quirky gifts for the family / stocking fillers for the kids). It's all just so ruddy expensive.

AIBU?! What have I missed?

OP posts:
IStandWithPosie · 20/11/2018 09:44

You understand the point of Black Friday, yes?

puzzledlady · 20/11/2018 09:47

Confused maybe ignore the emails then?

ScoobyCan · 20/11/2018 09:49

I understand the concept and I'm willing to look at the offers - however it just seems like a never-ending duff episode of The Generation Game.... Nothing of real value or interest. Like I say: am I missing something?!

OP posts:
LoisWilkerson1 · 20/11/2018 09:49

It's spread out now to stop a stampede on one day.

RiverTam · 20/11/2018 09:50

yes, I agree. Ditto Christmas - could that please just be December at the most?

AnastasiaVonBeaverhausen · 20/11/2018 09:52

I got an awesome deal on something on Amazon for one of my kids for Xmas so I'm happy.

BarbaraofSevillle · 20/11/2018 09:52

If you're spending money you don't have on stuff you don't need then you have bigger problems than Black Friday. I'm not complaining as I've just bought about six month's worth of dishwasher tablets at a bargain price.

If it's not Black Friday, it's something else as in case you haven't noticed life is now a constant cycle of being marketed to. If you don't have a lot of money for Christmas, maybe agree not to exchange presents with adults, because in any case, it's highly likely that your 'quirky gifts' are someone else's waste of money and they will end up unused in a cupboard, or in the charity shop before the year is out.

Blanchedupetitpois · 20/11/2018 09:54

Yes, I too hate the opportunity to purchase goods at a discounted price over a convenient range of days.

EssentialHummus · 20/11/2018 09:56

As consumers we've been conditioned to respond to "special offers", and retailers have worked out that we (on a large scale) still respond and buy even when the frequency of those offers means that logically we know they are not so special or rare.

GAP, as an example, sends me a "special offer" every.sodding.day. Sometimes it's linked to a holiday or event; at other times it isn't. I don't buy from them daily or even weekly, but I probably buy from them more frequently than I otherwise would.

IStandWithPosie · 20/11/2018 10:08

It's spread out now to stop a stampede on one day.

It’s really not. It’s to extend the period during which people will spend money under the illusion of getting a deal. Have a sale for one day and people will only shop on that day, they miss it, you miss their custom. Have a sale for 10 days and you ahveten days for people to purchase. People who may not have purchased on day one as didn’t have the money but have it on day 7. And people who check daily for deal might buy in 3 separate days. Extending the sale period is only to increase sales, but reduce stampedes. There never were stampedes in the U.K. on Black Friday.

IStandWithPosie · 20/11/2018 10:09

not reduce stampedes.

MissSueFlay · 20/11/2018 10:15

There never were stampedes in the U.K. on Black Friday.

There wasn't Black Friday in the UK until Amazon introduced it to us.

BarbaraofSevillle · 20/11/2018 10:15

Maybe it all helps the logistics for the retailers? If the event lasts one day, there's more chance that the website will crash, or they won't pick and pack the orders quickly enough, or the couriers won't cope.

Spreading Black Friday over a week gives them more time to deal with these things.

Some people might spend more, but others will have been waiting for Black Friday to see if they could have got a deal on things they would have purchased anyway, so have ended up spending less than they otherwise would have.

MargoLovebutter · 20/11/2018 10:17

I don't really get Black Friday - isn't it something that used to happen in America like Trick or Treat and now for some insane reason we feel we have to do the same thing here?

SouthWestmom · 20/11/2018 10:18

It's just clever marketing based on something that happened in America. (First shopping day after Thanksgiving or something?)

Pile of old crap wheeled out at a price you could find it for online at other times of the year.

RiverTam · 20/11/2018 10:39

my concern is always that the retailers buy in stuff specifically for Black Friday, not that it's stuff that's they always have for sale at £100 and is now £80.

I notice on John Lewis that they say that their Playmobil (for example) is 20% off but without showing the full price (which at least Amazon show).

dogzdinner · 20/11/2018 10:50

It is the day after Thanksgiving, when Americans traditionally are still off work and start their Xmas shopping.

There were unpleasant scenes on Black Friday in the UK a few years ago in some High St stores. People fighting over giant TVs and stuff like that.

SouthWestmom · 20/11/2018 14:42

New Which report on the news saying vast majority of products were cheaper elsewhere at other times

BadMoodBoard · 20/11/2018 22:30

I notice on John Lewis that they say that their Playmobil (for example) is 20% off but without showing the full price (which at least Amazon show).

But Amazon lie so outrageously about their original prices!!!

MiddlingMum · 20/11/2018 22:30

My policy is to delete all emails the moment I see them in my inbox. And not to buy a thing on Friday. The rest washes over my head, I don't really notice it tbh.

Christmas is 24, 25 and 26 December. The rest is nonsense.

WinterfellWench · 20/11/2018 22:33

I agree. And it was when it first started.

It's black sodding fortnight now!

tasdee · 21/11/2018 05:40

There are a few household items and Christmas gifts we want or have a real use for so I put these things in my Amazon basket and wait till Black Friday to see if I can get them cheaper. Being focused on a few items you specifically want makes it easier to resist any other crap.

2 years ago we got a kids birthday present for half price and last year a Christmas pressie for 70% off. The prices did go back up to full price again after Black Friday and they were bargains.

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SilkenTofu · 21/11/2018 06:40

You have to have a lot of discipline during this week. I made a list of things we want and need and I have googled a few places where I can get them. I'll see what happens on Friday. I've bought a couple of things already which are on offer this week. They could go down further on Friday, but 2 out of 3 websites are already out of stock for something I wanted. I can't chance it.

Stick to the list and don't deter and be distracted by cheapo offers. I am always amazed at how people are delighted that they got something 1/3 of the price, but it is plastic tat. The rule of thumb is, if you wouldn't pay full price for it, don't buy it.

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 21/11/2018 07:12

I agree with black Friday being far too long. I think a weekend would be sufficient. Amazon have a ridiculous amount of 'deals' looks like they've found a load of crap in the warehouse and knocked a couple of pounds off to shift it as a fantastic deal.

I did however purchase some lol doll pets 2 for price of 1 which dd2 has asked for. But the other lol stuff sold out within 15 mins despite being a daily deal. So they have limited stock of popular stuff people actually want but an unlimited supply of crap!

Looking out for deals on Nintendo switch games on black Friday but not holding out much hope of getting them!

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