CONGRATULATIONS JOLENE STERNER winner of our Black Friday Story Contest. She won a 3 Hour Spa package from Body Sculpting Day Spa & 4 Tickets to Fat Daddy’s Comedy Club
My first experience of Black Friday was terrifying. About 10+ years ago at our Thanksgiving Day celebration the women did what we always did after dinner and the clean up. We browsed the ads for all the bargains. Now this year seemed to have something that everyone wanted and since I was the only one that lived in the Sioux Falls area they talked me into going out early and picking up these bargains for them. I HAD NO IDEA what I was letting myself in for. I arrived at Walmart at about 4:30 am, I'm thinking that year they opened at 5:00 am. I drove in the parking lot and was awed by all the cars and people already there. I though I was early. So I went and stood in line like all the others. When the doors opened I was pushed, prodded and poked until I finally got inside and grabbed a cart. I was shocked by the whole scene in all my innocense of Black Friday shopping. It took me a few minutes to get my bearings and then I set out to find my treasures! I was scared to death of some of the shoppers. Some of the women shop in packs. Wolve packs could learn a thing or two from some of these women. They were screaming across the store - I'll grab five of these you get four of those ( way before everyone had cell phones). They ran you over if they thought you were going to take something they wanted. They screamed when they had success. By this time, I was trying to make my way to find my purchases. I had one cart and in that cart I had to get two 13 inch TVs, one microwave, three toasters, plus a few other little odds and ends. When I had the cart loaded I couldn't see where I was going, and the isles were so close that I could barely manuver them. Seemed like every other second I was saying excuse me - I'm sorry. Now it was checkout time. I headed to the furthest north door as that was the shortest line. Check out wasn't the worst, but it came close. People would jump the line, others would blow up at them, I was thrilled when I finally left Walmart. So out the door I went and Oh no, I can't find my vehicle. I went out a different door than I went in and I was completely lost. I walked up and down all the isles looking for my vehicle pushing that cart full of treasures. Tears were about coming, I figured I would just have to wait until everyone moved on to the next store and I was the only vehicle left in the parking lot, finally success I found my van. By this time I was exhausted, disgusted and ready to go home, but no I had made a promise that I would to to Target and get a Lava Lamp that my niece wanted to give her grandma for Christmas (it had to be red). So on to Target. Again I waited in line outside the store, but by this time I felt like a pro, not even close. Once again, I was shocked by Black Friday shoppers. When Target opened their doors people were running into the store, jumping over the carts, falling down, pushing you out of the way and if you didn't grab quickly you were out of luck. The worst part was after all that hassle no luck on the red lava lamp. By this time I decided it was time for a cup of coffee to settle my nerves and a well deserved rest. It took me many years before I braved Black Friday shopping again. I now go into it knowing what to expect with the attitude if I get something I get it and if not that is OK.
~ Jolene Sterner
One year my mom, older brother and I were standing in line to go into Toys R Us. We were standing in the front of the line to go into the store. As the time got closer for the store to open, people behind us began to push against us. When the doors opened, my mom and I thought that we were going to get crushed. Thankfully, that did not happen. After that experience, I don't go shopping early in the morning on black friday, I wait until noon to go shopping.
~ Emma Abbott
Last year was my first time i was so excited to go. There where so many people there they where running people over. They where taking thing out of other peoples carts. Some people wrere fighting over things. I was so hypt up and excited to get sothing for my two kids.The look on there face on x-mas made me fill good because i could get them thing that they wanted on black friday.I cant wait to go this year.I wont be able to get much this year because i lost my job.. But they well get some thing that they what.well merry x-mas
~ Jennifer Trombley
BF has always been a wonderful challenge and I feel like I "bagged a big buck" when I can get to all of the stores and everything purchased and home by breakfast. Last year my sister who can not be here to enjoy the hunt with me sent me a survival kit for me and my bonus sister. It's a great way to bond in my bonus family.
~ Lyla Pedersen
Well the first time i went to a black friday shopping spree is when i was visiting my family back home. As I never been to one i have heard stories but thought it would be quite the experience. Boy was it ever it all started at shopko we were all standing in line and finally when they let us in one of us grab a cart and away we went now your never believer what happen next because i didn't. My mom filled her cart full with items only to glance away for a second and someone took her cart, my sister was carrying 2 dvd players only to have one of them taken out of her hands. I thought to my self is this worth it. But in all i got to be with my family and at the end of the shopping trip we all had a good breakfast and went back home to take our well deserve nap, needless to say i havent made it out to another one since.
~ Kim Dethlefsen
OMG!! Black Friday, the day of great sales and some of the best deals ur gonna see all year. I just love it; waking up really early or just not goin to sleep in the first place is probably the worst part, but the things you see are unforgetable! Outragous mark downs and unbelievable savings. SCORE. oh, and the people!!! you'll get some of the crazies yes, people who feel the need to push and shove n freak out. then you'll see some of the rediculous people who need to buy everything at every store and give themselves the right to take out of others carts. you'll also see some normal people like me and you who are just tryin to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible, then theres the people that stay home and dread the thought of not leaving the house for anything; NO MATTER WHAT! So weither you love the day or hate the day, black friday only comes once a year so get ur coat and shoes on and check out some of the deals. never know you might change your mind and become a fan!!
~ Jessica Anderson
My first experince with a Black Friday was with mom to get the "it" toy for Christmas! Mom decided to go stand in line at the Southwest Lewis Dug Store on the corner of 41 st and Marion Road, it sas a brand new store in 1984. The line sould be short.Famous last words. There were 300 plus women in line, we were mabey 36 & 37 . The store opend at 6 am and the andreline rush was the frist i ever felt. I am still hoked todat! Now with stores opeing at 4 am but the rush is still ther, untl maybe 6am.The must havetow was Cabbage Patch Kids baby boy in a blue suit, bald except the top of his head. His name was Iggy, My Mom thouth he was too cute for us grils to play with sohe sits in a box ripped, torn and crumpled from me being on the bottom of the pile to still have one. I was hanging on to it like my life depended on it.
~ Renee Branson
It was Black Friday 1999. My sister and I was standing in line waiting for Wal-Mart (Louise) to open for the biggest shopping day of the year. I was still smoking and had been having problems with being short of breath. As the doors opened the people started pushing and shoving to get in the store. I took a few steps and panicked because I was short of breath. I stood and hung onto I think the door jam or something thinking oh no I am going to die. I just stood trying to get my breath watching them walk or run right by me. It was then I decided I had no choice I have to quit smoking. I smoked that day but Saturday morning I woke and knew I would never smoke again. That was November 1999 and I have not had a cigarette since. Since then I have been diagnosed with emphysema and chronic obstructive disease all due to smoking. I use oxygen 24-7. I still go every Black Friday with sis but now I am the driver.
~ Kris Rauscher
I love to go Black Friday shopping with my friends. We look through the ads on Thanksgiving and map out our strategy. I usually just go for the fun of it. I think you need to go with a carefree attitude and not realy care if you get your "big" purchase or not. We know we are crazy for getting up early in the morning and standing outside until the store opens but it truly is an adventure. We have great conversations and meet people from around the area. Then the fun begins when the store opens, people are rude but you have to look past that and just have fun. We then go out for lunch and discuss the morning events-great fun and friends.
