Some early shoppers get into brawls in stores; others await "Cyber Monday"Bargain shoppers, many facing frigid temperatures, woke up before dawn Friday to snap up specials on items from cashmere sweaters to flat-screen TVs and digital music players as the holiday shopping season officially got under way.
Things got out of hand at a Wal-Mart store in Orlando, Fla., where a man who allegedly cut in line to get a discounted laptop computer was wrestled to the ground, according to a video shown by an ABC affiliate, WFTV-TV. The store's manager referred questions to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., where officials had no immediate comment.
There was trouble at another Wal-Mart in Renton, Wash., south of Seattle, where extra police were called to control crowds of zealous shoppers who shoved their way into the electronics department, pushing some counters out of position as they tried to get their hands on a limited supply of laptop computers, KIRO-TV reported.
Meanwhile, U.S. online holiday sales are expected to hit nearly $20 billion this year and should take off on Monday, when consumers return to work and their fast Internet connections after the long Thanksgiving weekend. "Cyber Monday," the term coined for the Monday after Thanksgiving, comes on the heels of the busy "Black Friday" shopping day when many brick-and-mortar retailers begin turning a profit.
The good news for online shoppers this year, is that "Cyber Monday" is becoming the Web shopping equivalent to "Black Friday" when retailers launch major sales and discounts to drive traffic.
Which do you enjoy the most - the excitement of getting up early and fighting the crowds at your favorite store - or checking out the best online deals?
Related: Associated Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, AXcess News
Tags: Holiday Shopping, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Internet, Technology, Culture, Media by Sistrunk
6 comments:
This happenns???. This is how we bargain: Shopkeeper says the item price is rupees 200 but I will give you in 100 (no he is not known or friend). The shopper says I will pay only 50. The deal is finally done at anything between 60 to 80 ;-)
My girlfriend called my husband last night to see if he was going to go for the lap tops because she wanted one...they opted not to go...that was a mess...folks were crazy...
Jaimie and Rose, I make it a point to sleep in on Black Friday. Shopping is not that serious for me.
Shirazi, what can I say? Hopefully, you do not see this sort of thing in Pakistan.
I just hope that online vendors have extra servers available for Monday, if they are expecting a big surge in shopping.
I have become very much an online shopper but that was a result of Missy in the past I was out shopping on Black Friday. I don't think I would be now with or without Missy because I don't believe there is anything I really want or need to buy that bad.
So dcs what is on your wish list this year? I think we should start one and give it to Trucker Bob, after all I still don't know how many cookies I owe him
BTW I love to see the teasing that takes place, it so does my heart good, you are a great one.
OMG I saw this on the news last night, and the poor lady who fell on the right of the TV screen lost her wig. A few frames later, more people fell to the ground as others walked on them. Holy Moly, this is why I shop online at this time of year.
Happy safe shopping to all,
Deb
Ms. Vickie and Dr. Deb: A few years ago, I was a little leery of online shopping. No more! I am so thankful for it. Dr. Deb, I didn't know one of those Black Friday shoppers lost her wig!
Ms. Vickie, I'll have to give some thought about a wish list. Of course, it would be fun to send it to Trucker Bob. I have so much fun with him!
Everyone: Happy shopping. Stay safe.
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