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Black Friday -Is it Worth it
Black Friday and America Year 2011
This was November 25, 2011 day of Black Friday in America .. This time I had to work whole night in the Wal-Mart, Vernon Hills, IL, so that’s why I eye witnessed the whole event. I was so lucky this time to watch closely what black Friday is, otherwise I would not go . My understanding was that most people would like to rest in their homes and relax and get ready for Turkey for thanksgiving. I was wrong.
I went to store in the evening; there was hustle and bustle in the whole store. Most Wal-Mart managers and associates were busy in planning the event . I saw they brought big boxes on crates and put them in the aisles. These boxes contained the sale items and had sign “Do not touch “for public. Most popular items for sale were electronic items like Xbox console, DVD, games and TV’s.
Wal-Mart started giving tickets away for sale items at 6.00 pm. I was curious so I went to get one ticket for Xbox 360 bundle; the associate gave me one ticket and told me that I have to stand in the line for four hours to get the item. I saw the people already standing in the line. I told her that I will get the ticket and come back, she did not agree. I said “No” as I was not in a mood to stay four hours on one spot to save few bucks on one item.
About eight pm, many people started to walk in the store and you can feel that this place is going to be full. I can see the curiosity in the people’s eyes. Everybody was in hurry and rush. By midnight, the place was packed and you won’t be able to walk from one aisle to second aisle. I saw every community in Wal-Mart mostly Hispanic. Around midnight One Wal-Mart associate was giving away 5 hour energy drink to every shopper so that shoppers keep spending money without thinking that they are tired. It was not easy to control such traffic and my understanding is that under “any circumstances “you should not allow so many people in the store. Any spark could cause a major loss to so many families. When these stores know, that they have to put certain items for sale, why don’t they put tents open area somewhere else? Also why you will have only ten sale items for sale when you are expecting huge traffic on that day? The question in production and demand , demand supersedes .
One incident happened on that day in California Wal-Mart where one lady sprayed red peppers to be the first to get close to sale items. Ten people suffered minor injuries from the spray and 10 others sustained cuts and bruises in the ensuing chaos. Now the real question is “Is that all worth it?”
To save few bucks, I will not recommend that you put your life in danger. Retailers need to find better ways to deal with traffic and safety for that day. You can buy a better deal online.
"BLACK FRIDAY "
Ask yourself one question
Is It Worth it ?
Statistics
Here is the Historical Data for Thanksgiving Day (Source-Wikipedia)
2011 -$52.5 billion
2010- $45.0 billion
2009 -$41.2 billion
Most spending are from Middle class, means the people who want to save few bucks for one item. The question that I have is that How Bureaucrats and Politicians can call America “The World Power”, when the people of this country do not have enough money to meet their needs. Why so many people of America have to put their life at risk to save few bucks? Because they do not have sufficient funds to meet the needs. Why Lay Away Programs are so popular that they offer Layaway program for even $100 item .
As per United States of Labor Oct 2011 - Both the number of unemployed persons (13.9 million) and the unemployment rate (9.0 percent) changed little over the month. The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range from 9.0 to 9.2 percent since April. 13.9 million People unemployed and so many Houses on foreclosure. Common man is the backbone of any country. America needs to pay attention to the needs of common man.
This is my opinion on Black Friday.
Chicago Guy
@Raj Lally Sharma
Nov 30,2011
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