Black Friday Blues - SportsTop's Blog

SportsTop's Blog

Black Friday Blues

Posted on November 21, 2008 at 12:28 PM.

(3)

It's known as the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season and if you've never been out shopping the day after Thanksgiving then you are missing quite a spectacle. Everyone from young kids to the elderly make their way out into the early morning darkness to stand in line at their retailer of choice all with the hope of getting the "deal of deals" on various items.

I'll admit, I look at the ads every year and think, ever so briefly, about going out and braving the crowds.

I've actually gone out once. It was five years ago and I was in the market for a digital camera. Best Buy was having a door buster deal on a pretty decent Kodak so I decided to go out and pick it up. Fast forward four hours after waiting in line and I ended up getting a completely different model for not so much of a deal when the one I wanted sold out after the first five minutes.

And so goes the story for most shoppers with similar intentions on Black Friday.

Well, they've got me again this year.

My eight year old son has made clear his "most important" gift of the year.

The Lego Clone Wars Republic Attack Gunship, Item #7676. It retails for $129 at Toys R Us and $119 at Wal-mart.

It's his Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock for Christmas 2008. If he doesn't get it then I risk nomination for "Worst Father of the Year" (you parents out there know what I'm talking about).

Now, normally Lego Star Wars don't go on sale, but Toys R Us has leaked their Black Friday specials and it just so happens that select Lego Star Wars products will be 40% off in one of their door buster deals.

Did you happen to catch those italicized words in that last sentece? Select and door buster.

So, to take advantage of this sale, not only do I have to get to my local Toys R Us before 5:00 a.m., I have to hope and pray that the Republic Gunship is one of the select items on sale all the while battling through the sharpened elbows of the middle-aged mothers sprinting through the store.

Normally I wouldn't get too concerned about a savings of $56, but now that I have three kids any amount of savings is worth entertaining losing a few hours sleep and fighting a crowd. Besides, the thought of a deal like that is too hard for me to pass up no matter what the challenge.

I suppose if I'm already going to torture myself by going out I may as well see what else is on sale......right?

Comments

# 1 boomhauertjs @ Nov 21

Good luck!

# 2 cjonesfan921 @ Nov 21

I went once, I was younger, went with the family. We were looking for a new computer to get. Sears had a Compaq, long story short, nothing as advertised. We ended up shopping around, but didn't get what we wanted. Two of my cousins went last year, and got GPS's from Best Buy for a great price, forgot that deal that was in there.

I haven't checked out any of the deals, but I'm not really in the market for anything right now. I will say that it is definitely worth the experience, it's just different from any other "shopping" day.

BTW, good luck man. I have a feeling you are in for a long day, can't imagine Toys R Us on Black Friday. Hopefully, it is part of the select items.

Also, in the current state of the economy, save anything you can.

# 3 funky_chicken @ Nov 24

I will never be lured into the madness that is Black Friday. My sanity is worth more to me then what I will save. Good luck. I hope you snag one of those Lego sets for your son. Your reason for being sucked in is easily understood.