Daily Humors |
| Posted: 30 Nov 2009 04:49 AM PST                                            |
| Top 9 Worst Black Friday Shopping Experiences Posted: 30 Nov 2009 04:42 AM PST Black Friday, contrary to what it might feel like these days, was not named for the difficulty of getting through the day for shoppers. Traditionally, it was the day during the year in which most retailers went 'in the black,' or turned a profit for the year, as opposed to being 'in the red'. Most stores today offer doorbuster sales on Black Friday. It has become the largest shopping day of the year, with stories to match. We've heard of people getting tased while shopping on Christmas, but Black Friday stories get even worse. 1. [Dis]Organized Chaos Let's consider this a warmup to your traditional Black Friday chaos, and a tamer example of 2008 shopping. You get a shot of the opening scenes at a Target at 5AM and also a Wal-Mart at the same time, and the customer volume is tremendous. I know that's not what I want to wade through at 5AM. But what's not captured on video is apparently crazier than what is – skip ahead and listen to the videos at 1:16, where they discuss brawls, old ladies getting knocked over, and more. 2. Computer Fight It looks like this may be some of what the last video failed to capture on film. Watch as grown men and women scuffle over who really had 'dibs' on those computers in this 2006 video. The lesson here seems to be while at the register you keep your friends close (so they can help), and your coveted Black Friday sales items closer (because that's what you really care about). 3. Falling Down and Getting Hurt Falling down and getting hurt is a gag so reliable that the author of this video even included the fall in slow motion for viewers. Unfortunately, the reality is that this is yet another example of how terrible the Black Friday shopping experience can be for some people. This pregnant woman is shoved to the ground and more or less ignored by the people around her as they hunt for deals, and it takes place – where else? – at a Wal-Mart in 2007. Don't worry, the mother and baby survived to fall another day. 4. Sarcastic Employees Waiting for You to Fall This video shows a mob of people steadily streaming into a Best Buy on Black Friday 2006 at 5:30AM. The entrance is actually fairly orderly, much to the chagrin of the employee filming, who makes fun of customers within clear earshot of them (one even laughs). It's good to be self-aware of the ridiculousness of the event that is Black Friday, but sarcastic employees (who are clearly not helping people find items) along with an unending throng of other customers (the employee filmed for 3 minutes until his arm hurt and the stream never dwindled) and no carts (those ran out after just 2 minutes) makes for a really… um… fun shopping experience, no doubt. 5. More Falling Down in Line Now that's more like it – a large disorderly line streams into a Circuit City (remember those?), in stark contrast to the Best Buy above on Black Friday 2006. If you don't see anything at first, look again – the video info specifically reminds you to "Watch it a few times and you'll see stuff you missed (people falling, getting trampled)." Yikes. Braving those lines is not for the weak of mind, body or soul. 6. Mobs at the Mall Even out in Boise, they know how to party like it's Black Friday. In this 2007 video taken at the Boise Town Square Mall, about 30,000 consumers push and shove their way around the complex. For those not interested in watching the whole video, take a look at 1:16, where the press really starts to get bad, until 3:56, when they decide to open up the double doors. As we're learning, sometimes you have to run to get in place, but other times you just have to squeeze. Truly, only the strongest and most versatile shoppers survive. 7. Yes, It Really Takes This Much Planning This video takes an amusing look at the whole Black Friday shopping experience. A team of shoppers plots out their plan for the lines in advance, and then proceeds to fight and scratch with another team for every desirable item. If you've shopped Black Friday before, you'll definitely see things you can relate to here, as the actors successfully mimic all the horror and intensity of Black Friday shopping. Ending, they poke fun at the devoted mobs of deal hunters with a play on the old MasterCard ads, saying: "Knowing you will do it again next year? Priceless". 8. Black Friday Shopping – the Ultimate Extreme Sport? This video takes something of the opposite approach. Satirically, it collects some of the worst scenes of Black Friday craziness into a montage, played to Silver Bells. Yes, 'tis the season… to shop so aggressively because, hey, that guy sure isn't going to get a better deal than you are, is he? Of course not, and if he does, it won't be for lack of trying! The video calls Black Friday shopping "The Ultimate Extreme Sport," and it may not be far off. 9. The Trampling of Jdimytai Damour In 2008, some 2000 people lined up at Wal-Mart for what might be the most literal use of the word "doorbuster" we have ever seen. In their fervor, not only did they legitimately mangle a doorframe as the crowd pressed forward, they also stampeded right over a living, breathing human being named Jdimytai Damour, a seasonal employee. This year Wal-Mart is taking efforts to ensure this sort of thing won't happen again (including hiring the crowd managers who do the Superbowl and the Olympics). This is by far the most tragic Black Friday story out there, and a testament to just how crazy some dealhunters can be. Brr, did it just get cold in here?.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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