Affordable televisions. Cheap kitchen appliances. Discounted apparel. The lure of Black Friday is obvious, but frequently, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Often, the reality is having to wake up in the middle of the night to stand in long lines in the cold November air, only to find out the store has run out of your favorite item. If you’re tired of the Black Friday madness, you aren’t alone. There are plenty of reasons to skip this year, which would also give you more time with your family or to indulge in those scrumptious Thanksgiving leftovers.
- The internet.
Black Friday online shopping is exponentially growing in popularity, so you can probably find all of your desired items without leaving the comfort of your own home. Plus, there’s usually free shipping! - Low-quality products.
Retailers advertise sleek, new electronics at heavily discounted prices, but they usually aren’t what they seem. A lot of the time, off-brand manufacturers will make these products specifically for Black Friday which have less memory or very short warranties. - Small selection.
When there is a substantial discount on a popular item, don’t expect to snag it unless you are one of the first few people in line. Retailers stock a very limited number of these products, so unless you show up hours in advance, you are probably out of luck. - The deals.
Believe it or not, but Black Friday is not the best time to purchase some products, including televisions, cameras, espresso machines, and more. In the weeks leading up to this big day, you can actually score name-brand items at great prices, as opposed to the off-brand ones advertised on Black Friday. - Other shoppers.
While you may keep your cool during the shopping rush, hoards of other shoppers do not. There are countless stories of physical violence, including tramplings and shootings, that result from squabbles over pieces of merchandise. - The lines.
Once you finally make it inside the store after camping out for hours, the massive lines are not over. Particularly if you’re in a clothing store, you will have to wait behind dozens of people to try on clothes, and then again in the check out line. - Less time with family.
Several major chains, including Walmart, have started opening their doors as early as Thursday evening. This means that if you want an item they are advertising, you have to leave your family and line up at the door Thursday afternoon to have a chance at buying this product. - Hidden costs.
You could save a little money on the products themselves, but chances are, you’ll end up spending more money on midnight snacks, gas from sitting in traffic, and paying a sitter to watch your little ones. - The cold.
Going from the warmth of a Thanksgiving feast to the freezing sidewalks and parking lots can be an unpleasant transition, especially if you have your kids in tow. Wouldn’t you rather curl up by the fireplace with a plate of leftovers instead of shivering in your coat for hours on end? - Overworked employees.
The employees at your favorite stores aren’t granted the same luxury of having a Thanksgiving holiday. They are forced work long hours and deal with overzealous customers instead of being able to spend quality time with their families.
