Red Friday for the blood spilled today. Shopping just ain’t what it used to be. A Walmart employee was trampled to death in a stampede of shopper in Long Island today. Meanwhile, out in Palm Desert, CA, 2 men were killed in a Toys R Us.
On the economic front, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, aka the Dow was up 1300 points in 5 days which is an all time American record. It was the biggest point gain in the history of the US stock market.
What does all this mean? Is the end in sight as far as the recession? If people are out there trampling and killing others to buy things, there must not be a real shortage of money. Supposedly, the retailers did very well from first reports, even though customers were looking for deep discounts. Are people spending beyond their means? Are these same people those who haven’t paid off Christmas from last year?
Does anyone have an exciting Black Friday story to tell?
My husband got in line at toys-r-us at 530 this am, and was vastly disappointed that NOTHING our son wanted was on sale. I went to best buy around 11 and was surprised that 2 on duty PWC cops in uniform, and about five sales people, blocked the exit and all shoppers had to produce receipts upon exit. PWC police dept. provides security for best buy? Does best buy pay for this? The cops weren’t there to arrest anyone, they stood by the door like bouncers. Then off we went to Fair Oaks mall, where we encountered the usual cluster poo of parking. Very little sales, and lines wrapped all around in such places as Hollister, Aeropostale, Abecrombie. Yet no sales that haven’t been going on since November. The children’s Place had great sales but they usually do. Best place of the day was chick-fil-a which served customers with bionic speed.
God love you. I wouldn’t step foot near a shopping center today. I’ll get it done, during the week when nobody’s around.
And that’s story about a Walmart employee being trampled to death is absolutely horrific.
You DO NOT have to show your receipt after you have paid. This is an invasion of your privacy. If they ask to see, politely refuse. If they try to force you, tell them to shove it. If they try to detain you, you can bring a lawsuit for kidnapping down on their heads.
I image you don’t ever shop at Costco, do you Mackie? You have to show your recipe to get out of the place. That just isn’t something most people care about.
Yes, Alanna, The more I hear about the stampede the more horrific it sounds. There is simply no material possession worth all that, especially someone’s life.
The Disney Store is having wonderful sales. http://disneyshopping.go.com/disney/store/Category_10002_10051_11776_-1_11776_____Home-Page
They often have free or reduced shipping.
DB, those police were hired as off duty security. The store pays a fee to the county for the use of the uniform and vehicles and a per hour fee to the officers. They are not on duty.
Regardless of what the above poster writes or says, you DO have to abide by store’s policies or rules. Best Buy is private property so either you shop under their rules or you will be asked to leave the property. If you don’t like the rules, you are free to shop elsewhere. Just like if you walked in with a soda and they asked you to get rid of it, if you did not, then you could legally be denied entry to the store – because its private property.
And while you may try to bring a civil suit against the store or county for kidnapping (it costs less than $50 to file a civil suit) as the loose cannon poster above advises, you’d be tossed out of court. You either follow the store’s rules or you leave. Its private property and they are master of that domain.
All Aboard Toys also has many sales and gift packs. I got all 5 backyardigans for less than 30 bucks. They are 8 inches tall.
http://www.allaboardtoys.com/
The e.commerce has better prices than Toys R Us in a lot of cases. Of course, then there is Amazon.
At 1 AM today, there were in excess of 9000 shoppers at Potomac Mills Mall.
Anyone looking for GPS Systems – a popular gift, check on Amazon.com and enter “garmin” in their search engine. A variety of different vendors come up and you can find great deals. A friend of mine purchased a Nuvi 260 for $200 from an electronics store in New York City, $80 less then the local price and its a safe purchase through Amazon.
Insanity! How can people get so aroused about BUYING? Does it HAVE to be bought the day after Thanksgiving? Watched the 10pm news last night and there was a long line of “idiots” waiting for stores to open at the outlet market near Leesburg at MIDNIGHT. Are people crazy?
Personally, I’d like to go into a deepfreeze from now until 24 December. Maybe take a day or two off to bake cookies, but that’s it.
BTW – fantastic sales were held the week BEFORE this week.
Mackie – “You DO NOT have to show your receipt after you have paid.”
Would it be acceptable to just say that, indeed, you have paid for what you’re removing fr the store? Doesn’t a store have the right to control such things? You could simply bring a used bag with the store’s logo, load it up with stuff and walk out and tell any guard that your rights are being violated for having been questioned. That doesn’t sound quite right to me. With all the shop lifting going on, it seems reasonable to me that the stores would be extra alert on days like today. FYI, I’m not a legal eagle.
Punchak, the store can have a policy that every bag will/can be searched prior to leaving the store and if you do not like that policy, then you can shop somewhere else.
Some stores forbid you to carry bags of purchases made in other stores into their stores to prevent exactly what you wrote above – stuffing things into bags. And its perfectly legal. They set the guidelines.
Some stores can monitor you in the DRESSING room. I remember as a KID! LOL
GREED is to blame! I wonder if the people that camped out early, littered the parking lots, thought about the effort THEY put in to save a dime ( so to speak)
Most of the stores offering the ONE day deal, have a LIMITED number of the ITEM that CAUSES the rush.
FORGET that!
Also,as atrocious the death of the employee at Walmart was,it may have lead to a miscarriage in the STAMPEDED too.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/28/2008-11-28_worker_dies_at_long_island_walmart_after.html
I think you have to be told you are being monitored in a dressing room. Again, your choice as to whether to shop there or not.
The shop lifting makes everyone’s bill go up. It also causes great inconvenience in stores. I could go with Shari’ah law real fast on this issue. chop chop.
Lucky Duck
I was trying to say exactly what you were saying, and I’m all for control. Anything stolen will eventually add cost to the merchandise for others.
Moon,
YES,I agree that you have to be told you are being monitored. Yes,I agree that shoplifters cause our bills to go up.
Greedy people cause our bills to go up when they charge, charge, charge( pun intended) with credit because they think they have to have it NOW and justify the moment that they are SAVING.
Greed is the DIRTY deed. 🙁
This is why I wonder, how many of the shoppers on Black Friday would get up early, stand in line to help someone? Sorry, this is what I hate about the holidays of good will and cheer….
Not to worry redawn, I have chosen to “ADOPT” a student from our needy student xmas tree located in our school lobby. Guess what? I not only bought her the new sneakers that her mom requested, I also hit the stores and bought her 3 pairs of pjs that were requested for her as well. I also bought her clothes and the babydoll with a bottle, and bible stories that she wanted. So while you were wondering how many shoppers were/are willing to stand in line for others…I just did and it feels great!!!!!!!!!
DB, you certainly are to be commended for your generosity. Just for braving a store, you should be commended. I am one of those who would rather pay twice as much than stand in a line.
Do they still have angel Christmas Trees where the general public can adopt people to buy for anonymously?
You can still pick an angel from a tree at the Manassas Mall for the Salvation Army. These children really have the modest of requests. Children usually have coats, sneakers, gloves, etc. on the angels. I’ve never seen one with an grand wish.
DB,
It is a great feeling. I’ve been taking “angels” from trees since I started working at 16. Red Dawn does this too. In fact last year RD & I were talking about this very topic, and low and behold our comments were DELETED from another local blog. Imagine?
ALL,
SERVE is also in need of many food items. They have baby formula and diapers on their list of items too.
DB,
Thank you for your generosity! You are one that stands out in that stamped.I am with Moon, saying that I would rather pay DOUBLE than to fight that crowd. When you said you feel GOOD, Never forget it 🙂
I have and will remain a giver, not a taker but I confess that I was sooooooo turned off by our office secret Santa pick this year. We did it EARLY during a PLANNED pot luck , that is another joke- I started it a few years back with the intention of heart, thinking it would be fun and it was!!!! As the potlucks went on, people started posting a “sign up list” with the nasty statement of ” if you do not plan to participate-you don’t eat ” Well, Fu@k inviting someone up on a different floor, or that you see in the elvator, etc.!!!
That is so wrong in so many ways.
DISCLAIMER: This is not the attitude of the owners of our company, just trouble making employees, that are applying for other jobs or waiting to get out of the military on disablement( spouse)or brags that they don’t have to be there and their spouse is telling them to quit!!!!!!! FUNNY, how they are the ones who do not realize, they are lucky to have their JOB-given the market we are in!!!!! ( yes, I am bitching , LOL )
So this year, EARLY, our office had another potluck lunch and choose names.I was off that day and I was going to suggest that we donate this year to a cause instead.
The person in charge of ( picking the names) told me that instead of people picking a name and dealing with it, they would pick a name and bitch and put the name back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then would question who has ME? (them)
We all spend more time at work than we do with family and friends. When I see that I spend my time with this SH#T, I just shake my head and think of all the time that I could be spending…such as life,I suppose….LOL
I highly recommend GPS. The stereotype is true that men refuse to ask for directions from a human being, but it turns out they don’t mind taking directions from a machine. We call ours “Lost Lucy,” but don’t let the name fool you. It’s a life saver on road trips.
Red Dawn,
Too bad I don’t work with you anymore, maybe you would’ve picked me. 🙂
I’m very curious as to who’s name you got. Please, it wasn’t “the doctor” or KC?
Hey, do you still have our deleted comments to Krutis? I thought we all were agreeing on those less fortunate than us, but clearly NOT all thought it was a good idea. Grrr!!
Chris,
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The last time we worked together you picked me and gave me a WONDERFUL chip and dip bowl set as I liked to throw them parties, girl!!!!!! LOL
But as you also know, I walked AWAY in a divorce and gave him everything as I am not materialistic and did not want to waste my time on that energy-just wanted OUT and the SOB lost everything anyway when he made BAD choices in life…puff- puff pass!!!!( so to speak) LOL
I got our girl -J….and would have no problem with the 2 you mentioned. Things have chanced since you were there and I have learned a virtue!!!!! PATIENCE( not just at work). They will be gone soon.
This very situation of being patient is the reason why I chew my tongue. They will be gone soon!!! They are the ones WANTING to stir up shit and put everyone on a lock down PROTOCOL system.( if they only knew how much time they gather to bitch and avoid phone calls…LOL) The best thing about our company is that we are not like that as long as we get our job done!!!! Management KNOWS( I have been filled in by them) and they are gracious enough to let them leave on their own. The last laugh is really on THEM!!!!But I just hate that we have to experience the fake tidings of good will, cheer and all that! 🙂
As far as the comments this time last year being deleted…I can care less. up until a few months ago, I was still pissed when my comments were deleted and would post them here and make a big deal about. I don’t care anymore.
I just wish( as I always) that we ALL can get a long. I have come to terms with that and it AINT happening 🙂 LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxg1DzRP8fg
NGL, I hate to admit it, but you are right. I will concede that stereotype is true. I have checked out the GPS buys at Amazon and they are really good. Locally, Office Depot is having a sale on them and they are not nearly as crowded as Best Buy and others.
The Vikings believed that Valhalla awaited those who died by being trampled to death at Wal-Mart. For some, there is glory in death!
Is it bad to admit I laughed a little at Slowpoke’s joke? I was among the brave shoppers yesterday but all my footfalls were on linoleum; not people.
Awwww, it’s straight to the ranks of the evil for you, Shelly! Welcome to the dark side! BTW, hope everyone had a wonderful, family-filled Thanksgiving.
I’m in the market for an i-home for my teenager, and there are NO deals on apple stuff that I’ve seen. Does anyone have some suggestions.
I did NOT brave the crowds this year.
What a cowardly notion. Do you really think some store’s ‘Policy’ trumps the fourth amendment of the Constitution?!?
No way. What if the store policy said they could do a body cavity search? What then???
Your constitutional rights DO NOT stop the moment you enter a store. Screw their policy. After you have purchased an item, it belongs to you.
Places like Costco and BJ’s are gray territory because you sign a contract in order to shop in those places. When you sign the contract, you give them permission, but even then, it’s open to debate.
You DO NOT sign a contract to shop at Best Buy. They cannot violate your privacy. They cannot violate your 4th amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
It’s perfectly right. And keep in mind, the shoplifting that they suffer from the most is that committed by their own employees. All stores face the prospect of shoplifting. That’s too bad for them. It’s not your problem.
THEY have to prove your guilt. You DO NOT have to prove your innocence. If they try to trick you to proving your innocence, take your hard-earned dollars to a store who will respect you like a free man/woman. Get your thinking right.
Innocent until proven guilty is what is being eroded here. Despite what a certain police-state-spokeman, squared-away-jarhead above may post, innocent until proven guilty is worth it.
Chris, check out amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=ihome&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=1098261881&ref=pd_sl_2zsoqgx0bl_b
Mackie, I feel any store has the right to search your bags and parcels on the way out, as long as they do it to everyone or have reasonable cause to do so. Stores also have a right to protect their own merchandise. I know of no store policy in the area that violates the constitution.
No one is talking about full body searches. That is a far cry from looking in a shopping bag. The flip side of the coin is how much shoplifting costs retail stores each year. Last time I looked, the amounts were staggering.
If I don’t like store policy, I don’t shop there. I can get even nastier. If I don’t like most of the people who shop in a store, I won’t go there.
MH,
Thank you very much. I will have the “teen Queen” take a look for the model she’s looking for.
Mackie said…”It’s perfectly right. And keep in mind, the shoplifting that they suffer from the most is that committed by their own employees. All stores face the prospect of shoplifting. That’s too bad for them. It’s not your problem.”
Mackie,
I strongly disagree with you saying “it’s not your problem”. Yes, it is our problem as consumers. The shoplifting regardless of who does it, does become consumers’ problem, because we ALL pay higher prices for products to offset this crime.
I seriously doubt stores are doing cavity searches, but if it’s happened I’m sure you have the youtube to prove it. 😉
M-H,
A search of your bags qualifies as a search under the 4th amendment of the Constitution. They have the right to ASK to search your bags. They do not have the right to FORCE you to comply (unless they have probable cause to believe you have stolen merchandise).
If they prevent you from leaving you when you refuse, that constitutes a seizure under the 4th amendment.
When they ask, screw up some courage and refuse. Stop being a coward.
Simply put, if you don’t like a store’s policy, then do not shop there. No store is under any obligation to sell you anything. It maybe a foolish business decision, but a store can ask you to leave their property (as it is THEIR property) if you don’t want to comply with their policies. You can yell any amendment you want, but you’ll be yelling it from outside the store. If you don’t leave after being asked to by a store representative, you are trespassing on private property from that point on.
Mackie, The name calling stops right here and now. I am attempting to have a discussion, and calling me a coward for my thoughts is simply not acceptable.
You know, I just don’t get into the scrapes you get into. What does that tell us?
If I am leaving a store and someone wants to check the receipt, have at it. They can look in the bag also. BFD. I am neither a thief or paranoid so it matters not to me.
I never advocated refusing to leave private property. I know putting false words into my mouth is the only way some jarhead posters here can attack me, but I never advocated violating private property rights.
The store has every right to tell you to leave. I fully support that. They DO NOT have the right to FORCE you to submit to a search.
I notice how you didn’t say anything when I was being called a ‘loose cannon’….
Anyways, my admonition to stop being a coward did not apply specifically to you. I meant it in a broad sense to everyone who does not resist these searches out of fear. As a side note, I would add that anyone who cares about these kinds of issues, and standing up to these violations, should put a lawyer on retainer. It gives great peace of mind and confidence. Just in general, it’s a good idea.
[…] ANTI-BVBL asks readers for shopping stories and wonders if the recession is over. See here. […]
Mackie, I didn’t call you a loose cannon. It appeared that you did call me a coward since you were addressing my comments and the expression, ‘Stop being a coward” does have an understood subject in it, YOU. Now, if you weren’t talking to me specifically, perhaps you need to point that out, as you have.
I am not being the blog cop here on anyone but myself.
I don’t think it involves cowardice to comply with a store’s policy. We obviously differ.
Mackie, the constitution only applies to government actions, but nice try.
Citigroup’s chief technical strategist says gold could rise above $2,000 next year as world unravels
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/3526645/Citigroup-says-gold-could-rise-above-2000-next-year-as-world-unravels.html
Obama?
Welcome Back – A PW County Resident.
Hey, I found the relevant statute:
§ 18.2-47. Abduction and kidnapping defined; punishment.
A. Any person, who, by force, intimidation or deception, and without legal justification or excuse, seizes, takes, transports, detains or secretes the person of another, with the intent to deprive such other person of his personal liberty or to withhold or conceal him from any person, authority or institution lawfully entitled to his charge, shall be deemed guilty of “abduction”; but the provisions of this section shall not apply to any law-enforcement officer in the performance of his duty. The terms “abduction” and “kidnapping” shall be synonymous in this Code. Abduction for which no punishment is otherwise prescribed shall be punished as a Class 5 felony.
Forget the lawsuit.
Buy a family a goat for Christmas. You can do it on the internet and you won’t be stampeded. Then buy everyone close to you a nice book and a good sweater. Buy the little ones three gifts representing each of the Magi. That’s what Christ got, should be good enough for our kids.
Your life will improve vastly.
How do you fit a goat under the christmas tree?
Maybe a baby goat.
Here’s another story of the Door Nazis from Circuit City/Best Buy that some posters here would clap on the back with a resounding ‘atta boy!’
http://www.michaelrighi.com/2007/09/01/arrested-at-circuit-city/
Mackie, I think the goat is for a poor family in a third world country. Juturna, how about a little more information on the goat.
Mackie, I will agree that the ccnazi was overkill. However, what do you expect on the salary paid to someone paid to look at receipts upon exit? We aren’t talking Philadelphia lawyer here. Why can’t the protagonist just show the bloody receipt and be done with it? Why bring trouble on yourself? That hits me about like having to push #1 for English. Who cares.
I realize that everyone has buttons but most of us really do not mind showing a receipt. I learned many years ago to pick and choose my own battles. There is only so much energy to go around. Just a thought.
Mackie
The goat fits just fine under the tree….. It takes up a huge space and brings a smile to many. $120 dollars.
_______________________________
The gift of a dairy goat represents a lasting, meaningful way for you to help a little boy or girl on the other side of the world.
Goats can thrive in extreme climates and on poor, dry land by eating grass and leaves. The gift of a dairy goat can supply a family with up to several quarts of nutritious milk a day – a ton of milk a year. Extra milk can be sold or used to make cheese, butter or yogurt. Families learn to use goat manure to fertilize gardens.
And because goats often have two or three kids a year, Heifer partners can lift themselves out of poverty by starting small dairies that earn money for food, health care and education.
Are we allowed to raise goats in our backyards? Do you need a goat license?
I wonder what the neighbors would say?
I would agree that one must choose one’s battles. That is exactly why this case is very illuminating and disturbing. This case exposes how the system is set up to make it very difficult and costly to defend yourself and exercise your rights. Even though we supposedly live in a country where you are innocent until proven guilty, it is folly to expect that principle to actually carry the day in the legal system.
You can find this guy’s successful result in defending himself here:
http://www.michaelrighi.com/2007/09/20/success/
An important thing here is that this individual racked up thousands of dollars in legal fees protecting himself from malicious prosecution on the part of the keystone cop who arrested him for nothing.
This could happen to anybody at anytime.
Then the prosecutor had the temerity to offer a deal where they dropped charges as long as this individual did not press charges against the police department. What a joke. This is the definition of ‘justice’. The cop had no right to arrest this person. After violating his rights, this cop needed some excuse to justify arresting him, so he invented a charge.
This case is an example of how the legal system will do it’s best to beat you down no matter how innocent you are. I think the reasons are two fold:
1. Too many people are uneducated as to how unjust our legal system really is until they are on the receiving end of it. Our high schools and colleges do not teach us anything about the legal system unless you are a law student. It should be mandatory.
2. Most people simply don’t want to make the time it takes to educate themselves about the legal system. Laws that are passed are passed in our name. We can change the law if we generate enough support. We can make it responsive to us and geared to help us defend ourselves. But instead we elect people and then don’t pay attention to what they do. Until the electorate is more educated, and a plausible solution comes about that brings creation of the law more accountable to the voting public, this BS will continue. I think Dennis Kucinich had some good ideas in this regard.
For example, why do they make us vote on a weekday instead of the weekend? I think it is because the powers that be really want to curtail your involvement as much as they can. Why aren’t the polls open until midnight at least? Voting is meant to be a placebo. It keeps us docile. it lets us believe, we’re really in charge.
Our neighbors have Nigerian Dwarf goats. They have a lifespan of about 25 years. They take them on-the-road to fairs and church gatherings. They are extremely nice, never bite and the kids love them.
This big kid loves them too. I saw these little things at the fair this year, and thought they seemed less aggressive then regular goats I’ve been around.
Alanna,
They are fine for your neck of the woods. I’d hate to think of them here in WG. The chickens caused enough havoc. I love farm animals, just not in a subdivision on quarter of an acre.
They are a charitable donation to familes. Not pets. Sorry for the confusion – some folks find that approach to Christmas worthwhile. 🙂