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Discussion » Questions » Shopping » Is there any excuse for Black Friday, other than GREED?
Slartibartfast

Is there any excuse for Black Friday, other than GREED?

In Australia, Black Friday refers to a disaster - one of the worst wildfires in history. Not rabid consumers fighting to the death over a pair of shoes.

Posted - November 21
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Responses


  • 3841
    There have been "Black Friday" sales for the past couple of weeks, so it's not limited to the Friday after Thanksgiving any longer.  
      November 21, 2024 7:34 AM MST
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  • 10664
    Nope.  Stores/companies  have "conditioned" people into parting with their money on certain days (Black Friday, Prime Days, etc.) by claiming to offer discounts.  In reality, stores/companies actually make out like bandits as they only discount certain "high markup" items, but while they got the people "in" they will buy other things that have little to no discount.  I do NOT miss working in retail this time of year.  
      November 21, 2024 8:03 AM MST
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  • 34460
    As a business owner who runs a Black Friday thru Christmas sale.  I can tell you I include everything in my store in my sale.  So there are businesses who run a real sale and do not markup ahead of time to offer a fake discount.
      November 21, 2024 1:51 PM MST
    0

  • 10664
    Not a fake discount, just not as big of one as the "loss leaders".  
      November 21, 2024 2:54 PM MST
    2

  • 34460
    What ever the product you have to make a profit.   I price my products knowing I run this sale each year. 
      November 22, 2024 7:43 AM MST
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  • 17620
    Many retail businesses make well over half of the year's profits during Thanksgiving/Christmas shopping.  Working to make a profit is not the definition of greed.  You can look that up if you wish.  Calling a two or three week period "Black Friday" is ridiculous enough that it shouldn't bother anyone.  It is obvious to those with a modicum of intellect  that that ridiculous notion of Black Friday is simply following the shopping public's behavior.   People spend their money and use their credit cards like there's no tomorrow during that season.  So yes, mark it down and get it sold.That's just business, not necessarily greed.  It's up to us to not let consumerism destroy the beautiful meanings of our winter holidays. This post was edited by Thriftymaid at November 22, 2024 7:04 AM MST
      November 21, 2024 10:58 AM MST
    3

  • 34460
    It is advertising sales.  Greed...no. It is business.  Making money to pay people etc. 
    I run one every year. And it is the best price you will get at my store for a retail item.  Wholesale is a different animal all together. 
      November 21, 2024 1:54 PM MST
    1

  • 7408

    Nah it’s all greed. We even have “black Friday“ sales in Canada now past five years or so and we have our thanksgiving back in October , so makes no sense. It annoys me. We shouldn’t be trying to copy ‘Merica at all. It‘s embarrassing really. 

      November 21, 2024 5:51 PM MST
    1

  • 17620
    If you feel like that you should be sure you pay full retail for everything you purchase.  Otherwise you become the greedy. 
      November 25, 2024 8:06 AM MST
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  • 11105
    It's a tradition. Retailers run sales and customers use them to stretch their budgets. There are always a few who get over-excited, don't judge everyone by that.
      November 22, 2024 6:34 AM MST
    3