Have you seen that nightmare YouTube video of the redneck Wal-Mart warehouse guys “playing catch” with your iPad, laughing with glee when it smashes on the ground? Go on, Google it (but NOT at work.)
Anyway, those three ding-dongs got fired (because they posted the video online, durr.) But thousands of Wal-Mart and Target employees remain, and they all have to work on Thanksgiving. Are they mad enough to destroy your merchandise? Probably not, but I wouldn’t count on any surplus of smiles.
Imagine you’re at mom’s, packing away the turkey and giblets, watching Dallas and Detroit and generally having a good time. Then at 8pm, you have to head to work for the next 16 hours. “But I’m still full of turkey – and resentment!”
Last year, a Target employee gathered 200,000 signatures on a petition to stop the retailer from opening at 11pm Thanksgiving night. If you read the Target guy’s statement, he is careful to say that he LIKES Target. They give back to the community, support charities, etc. He just thinks they’re going a little nutty with the Black Friday business.
Target responded, “You’re right, 11pm is dumb. Let’s open at 9pm instead!” Meanwhile, in a touching show of solidarity, Wal-Mart will open at 8pm.
Sign of the times, I guess. There will always be retailers looking for an advantage, employees willing to work and shoppers looking for that big score. If that’s you, here is a guide to Black Friday opening times, if your conscience can stand it (it can.) Happy hunting!
I don’t shop on Black Friday never have. I use to work for Meijer the best ever store around and I worked on those Black Friday day’s and night’s and I know whatit is like. People are crazy and nuts and are afraid of not getting the bargens that they will bring back after Christmas anyway so why go out on Black Friday.
Me, never in a million years. My wife enjoys it, doesn’t take it too seriously, sees it as “girl time” with her sisters.