[cron]

Here' the 2006 edition of this poll to start things off.....

So, what did you think about those previous Black friday years?

[BornAgainStar]

The online sales are, but I haven't been out in the rush in 3 years.

[AMS]

Online sales only... and we will be OOT so no B&M for us this year!

[delphernina]

I would guess it would depend on how much you enjoy the thrill of the hunt. It's always worth it to me to go out on Black Friday, but then - I live in a small town and our Walmart is always very happy to price match, so I really only hit my Walmart and Sears - but still get everything that I want. I go with my family, so we all hit the various areas and we are OUT of there very early, and I've never even really had to wait long in a line because we are just so darn fast.

I don't do online shopping on Black Friday, because it would take away all my fun. I want instant gratification and there's nothing as exciting to me as having a bundle of presents to wrap and slide under the tree the day after Thanksgiving.

Some people deer hunt. I bargain hunt.

[kar522]

I didn't vote...you need a "sometimes" or a "depends"...

I didn't go out last year, but when our kids were small, I always went...that was in the days of KBToys <sniff> in the mall...they had the best sales...and then to Wards, JCPenney, & Sears...for whatever they had wonderfully priced...Now it seems, other than doorbusters, if you wait your while, what you want will go on sale another day...

These days I'm usually done with all my shopping by Nov 1 or earlier...other than I now have to wait until a week before Christmas to find the "big" present for the grandsons...they edit their wishlist daily...

[crazygirlzmom]

MY SISTER DRAGS ME OUT EACH YEAR. THE ITEMS THE PAST FEW YEARS AREN'T WORTH IT. THE FEW ITEMS I DID PURCHASE, I ENDED UP FINDING THE SAME ITEM CHEAPER AT ANOTHER STORE, ON A LATER DATE AND ON NORMAL HOURS. THIS YEAR SHE CAN GO BY HERSELF. I'LL BE IN A WARM BED SLEEPING. TO THOSE THAT DO GO, HAVE FUN. I CAN SAY IT IS KIND OF EXCITING BUT I'LL PASS THIS YEAR.

[gametalent]

I stopped going to B&M on BF few years ago.

I found it not worth it to get up earlier and fight with others for stuff.

I rather sat back and ordered stuff online.

[dasnufus]

I stopped going to B&M on BF few years ago.

I found it not worth it to get up earlier and fight with others for stuff.

I rather sat back and ordered stuff online.

Me too. I stopped a couple of years ago also. Since I'm only interested in electronics/computer stuff, usually its available online.

But I do see how it is worth it for ppl who shop for clothes (macys's etc) and other non-electronics with those doorbusters/early bird deals.

[Living4Fire]

Way worth it. Black Friday is the shiznit.

[delphernina]

Way worth it. Black Friday is the shiznit.

You're my kind of person.

[general41391]

It's just fun!

[desidoll88]

Yes, it's worth it!

I guess I could order online, but it wouldn't be as much fun.

[pradman]

I stopped going to B&M on BF few years ago.

I found it not worth it to get up earlier and fight with others for stuff.

I rather sat back and ordered stuff online.

Online is worth waking up all night, store is just absolute waste of time.

[tonka]

last 2 years there was nothing that great.

[jungleman]

I didn't see much good stuff online last year, maybe I'll have a closer look this year.

Anyway...Black Friday is only "worth it" for the experience and the fun of doing it, or if you need Christmas presents cheap. Aside from the FARs or the absolute-doorbuster deals, most of the items usually end up dropping in price to their BF levels by the time January/February rolls around (which is about when you get your rebates anyway).

For me, it's become sort of a tradition and it's hard to imagine not doing it next year, even if I don't walk away with $1000 worth of stuff. But is it worth it for the deals themselves? Usually not, IMO.

[BlueTDimly]

Online is worth waking up all night, store is just absolute waste of time.

I'll be hitting the Staples near me this year, but that's it. The rest of the electronics stores are in a really crowded area, and the lines are huge even if I get there at 5 AM (which I did the last two years). Staples is in the boonies, and I can get there at 9 AM and there's plenty of stuff left. Agree that this year, I'll be staying up late and ordering most of the BF items online anyway. That said, it is kind of fun (cold, but fun) to be out that early with so many people.

I'll save standing in long lines for the PS3 and Wii launches instead

[cron]

The rest of the electronics stores are in a really crowded area,

I won't be going to Best Buy B&M around here. The parking lot feels like it can only hold 10 cars. You have to park at other stores across the street.

Online it's definitely worth it. Offline at B&M's, it depends on the store. I try to go to stores with little less traffic when i venture out on BF.

[rich]

i agree last 5 years i have gotten up early wiht the birds for 1 or 2 items on sale ,but after all the standing,waiting,stress,and rebate limites its not worth it to me not anymore ,i guess im getting old and do not have the motivation anymore

ill try my luck with online sales this year and get up and go shopping at my regular wake up time

good luck to all

[gatorvet96]

Which stores typically have the best deals??

[sleepyshopper]

BF for me is so worth it in so many ways.....The are deals great, but the fun we have is so much greater. My sisters, friends and I all venture out at about 10:30pm to start our shopping excursion (Wally World's Midnight Madness sales).
We try to hit atleast 2-3 Wal-Marts since around here they all have different Midnight specials), then its time to grab a quick pick me up and it is off to stand in line. We love to act silly and laugh....I am sure the lack of sleep and bottomless cups of coffee help attribute to that. We have never had a problem getting everything that we come for....we usually split up and grab everything for each other, then we sort through it. We have been doing this for years and I wouldn't miss it for anything. If you have never tried BF before, my advice to you is grab some good friends and just relax and have good time....you will make memories that will last a lifetime.

[normalicy]

It's worth it to me for the home center stuff (made a killing the last few years at Lowes/Home Depot), but otherwise, online only. Stood in line for 3 hours to check out at CompUSA last year. For what? To get a hard drive that I really didn't need for $20 cheaper than normal. It is nice when you get someone nice in line to talk to though.

[havonaboot]

It is wayyyyy worth it! By the time that I am done making all the food, hosting, dealing with a ton of relatives and friends, taking care of kids, cleaning up, ect.... I am ready to have ME time. My girlfriends and I have made it a tradition to go out and shop the BF deals. We even bought walky-talkies, LOL . I guess if the guys want to go hunting and play paint ball, we have decided that this was much more fun and not as messy.

[HappyFriday]

I drag my sister out every year, and we make it a girls day out and after all the fun is over we have lunch, it is an annual event I look forward to, the thrill of the hunt and also the CRAZY people you meet and see. We spend all day TG plotting out our plan of action.
We get up at 4 AM to hit Walmart first, the 24 hour stores! Let you in No waiting in the cold for us! then its on to all the other stores.
Fun Fun Stuff....Don't take it so seriously...don't be offended have fun with it...