Community Chat

[Marienkaefer2]

I worked in retail in high school and college (Dillard's), late 1980s.

I loved it.  It was exciting, because we got in new merchandise, the store was decorated, everyone was (mostly) excited and happy to be shopping.

We closed at 6pm Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, and the store opened at 8am Friday morning.  I usually worked the afternoon to close hours.  The store closed "late" then..10pm.

Dillard's had a box office, and in my college years I worked there.  That was always fun because shows and concerts were coming to town for the holidays.  It just seemed more festive, and people were mostly cheerful.

It's just changed so much.  I don't think I would like it at all in today's world.

[viva923]

I worked retail for many years.  

I rarely shop on black friday unless I really need something.

I have only had  1 bad experience on black friday shop.

was at walmart waiting for a particular item. people were walking by taking the items on this pallet, there was only 5 left and still another hour to go before it was legally on sale. I was limping along with a walker (some serious foot surg 2 weeks before black friday).  There was some walmart employee came along ripped the item off my walker (balancing the item) and began to yell at me. Yet all these people were walking around with these items in their carts.  I have yet to go back to walmart black friday shopping since that experience. I did write to walmart about what happened, never heard back from them.

I feel sorry for the black friday retail workers. I did that for many years, I was behind the counter person.

[kitcat51]

Yes, worked for several years & just like any job some people are wonderful & some are awful. I never let the awful people effect me or how I did my job so it doesn't bother me now...I'll go to the sales with a smile, be polite & willing to wait in line for what I want.

[pigletsmom]

I worked in retail through high school and college. I was a stand alone store so black Friday wasn't that big a deal.

Working retail in general makes me hate shopping but it also made me the nicest customer in the world.

I had some really great customers but also some really awful ones. And just when I thought I couldn't be surprised by anything another day would come along to prove me wrong.

[Westshopper]

I agree with everything you said 100% I've worked retail for 12 years same store worked every black Fri sense I work at a local furniture chain in the back office/behind sales counter customer service one of many duties. It doesn't bother  me to work black Fri mainly we don't have to open at the Bu** crack of dawn 10:00  a.m. NO crazy shoppers waiting to bust down our doors for the best deals etc. Plus I HATE Black Friday shopping for myself or having to be in mist of crowds in general so no bother to work behind a counter where I don't feel suffocated or cramped. And yes we do make some of the best customers when  we are shopping I rarely complain or find need to when I do I am very kind and curtious, I'm a very good tipper as well sometimes you got to "walk a mile in someone elses's shoes's" as they say.

[QueenDanceALot]

A friend of mine told me that he saw 2 women fighting over a bag of brussels sprouts yesterday at Kroger.  "I need them!" they both yelled as they pulled at the bag.

I asked my friend who won.

"The bigger one"  I guess. Oh man, people just get crazier every day.  I don't think it's just the Holidays.