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photo by Hannah Reel
Nakita Frye applauds after she and her mother Jackie Frye and Sandra King successfully retrieved the number of door buster priced portable DVD players they needed to buy for Christmas gifts at Walmart Friday morning.
Shoppers flood stores, please retailers
Originally published 03:19 p.m., November 27, 2009
Updated 11:50 p.m., November 27, 2009
NATCHEZ — Hundreds of pairs of sleepy eyes lined the parking lots and the aisles of local stores Friday morning as Black Friday sales kicked off at 4 a.m.
Early morning shoppers waited to be some of the first to save on their holiday purchases at the Natchez Mall.
Belk Store Manager Mary Flach said her expectations for the holiday shopping season’s D-Day turnout numbers were blown away by the shoppers who turned out in droves Friday morning.
“This is fantastic,” Flach said. “We had over 300 people waiting in freezing temperatures (Friday) morning (for us to open.)”
While Flach had no official count of how many shoppers entered her store at 4 a.m., the promotional gift cards given out at the door gave her a picture of how the morning kicked off.
“We had all of our 250 gift cards given out by 4:05 a.m.,” Flach said.
Natchez resident and Belk shopper Martha Deen said she was awake at 3 a.m. in preparation to do some planned shopping.
“I’m shopping early,” Deen said. “There are so many things to think of and shop for. I feel so lucky today. I think I’m going to do well.”
Deen said she is trying to finish up holiday shopping for her family early this year so that post-Christmas bills won’t be an issue in her household’s budget next year.
“So many people have all their Christmas paid for and have all their presents paid for by January,” Deen said. “That’s what I am trying to do. I’m as close to being finished shopping as I’m going to be.”
As shoppers perused Belk’s holiday inventory and savings, Natchez shopper Tameka Moore was waiting on the other end of the mall to check out JCPenney’s sales.
“I was out here at 3:45 a.m.,” Moore said. “I’m here for the sales and baby clothes.”
Moore, a veteran Black Friday shopper, said each year she wakes up early to experience the chaos that only half-off and buy-one-get-one-free sales can create.
“Every year, I kick the door down to get in here,” Moore said. “I’m about to go to Walmart.”
As Moore waited in line at Belk at 5 a.m., Walmart’s doors opened to hundreds of shoppers who had visions of electronics, toys, clothes and other marked-down presents dancing in their heads.
As soon as Black Friday sales came into effect at 5 a.m., some shoppers looked forward to standing in line for two to three hours to check out with their discounted goods.
Natchez shoppers Adam and Jessica Brady found themselves in the electronics line extending halfway down the length of the store.
Standing at the end of the ever-growing line, the Bradys said they hoped the store would make their Black Friday a successful one.
“As long as we can get what we came for, that would be nice,” Jessica Brady said.
The item the Bradys and many other shoppers waited hours in line for is a Nintendo DS Lite — a gaming system Jessica Brady said resembles a Nintendo Game Boy.
The Bradys were waiting to see if they could buy two DS Lite systems for two of their three children, and said they hoped they could save money on the sale of the day — a markdown from $130 to $98.
The couple said even though the craziness of the early morning shopping is tedious at times, the allure of the sales keep them coming back for more.
“We’ve (shopped on Black Friday) a couple of times. Every year I’m like, ‘Why am I doing this’ but I still do it anyway,” Jessica Brady said.
“It’s a lot less cheaper than normal (on Black Friday,)” Adam Brady said.
Comments
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How sad that people have let retailers exploit them into standing in inclimate weather to MAYBE get something that was advertised. If everyone would quit this stupidity, the retailers would go back to normal hours and have enough merchandise to sell. DO YOU PEOPLE NOT SEE HOW PITIFUL YOU ARE? You will be able to get the same merchandise at the same price about a week before Christmas.
Posted by Cursechez (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The "Black Friday Sale" price on flatscreen TV's is no less than the sale price from earlier this month.
Suckers.
Posted by concernedcitizen (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
who cares if people go shopping on black friday? get over it !!!just cause u didnt have any money to go dont get mad the people thats been saving up for christmas
Posted by skippydammit (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
what a pathetic display of commercialism
over what USED TO BE a celebration
of the birth of Jesus Christ !
sad.
Posted by MSNative1953 (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why stand in line in bad weather, I just do my shopping on online , easier and more deals, free shipping, more stores than this town has to offer, no gas needed.
Posted by momof4 (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
black friday is a joke. I understand those people who need to find these deals in order to be able to afford to get there kids something for Christmas. What I do not understand, and will not participate in, is those who break out in fights and have no regard for other people's safety, just so they can get more, more, more (GREED).
People are so concerned with what they can buy, while they are driving, they don't even bother to pay attention to the world around them.
The reason for the season is to spend time with family, cherish and being thankful for what you have, and for many people including myself, thankful that God sent his son to die for our sins.
The Holiday season is NOT about GREED, it is about love and compassion!!!!
For those who decided to participate in black friday, I hope you were considerate of others and safe. Remember, you can replace a THING, not a person!
Posted by suzee971 (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They can have it! I'd much rather shop online. It's hassle free, plus you can find some great bargains on Ebay this time of year.
Posted by natchezlady1 (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Though I am one to do all of my shopping online, I do not understand why so many of you on here have a problem with the people who decide to shop on Black Friday. It is none of your business if people wish to shop or be exploited or whatever. Sweep around your own front porch before you bring your broom to someone else's.
Posted by citywatcher (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 10:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well done all you Black Friday shoppers and stores. When money moves around it creates work and that can help spark the economy, either directly or indirectly.
And queueing outside early?... No sadder than sitting in a deer stand for hours hoping to get something!
Just waiting for my turn, anyone know if there will there be a White Friday event soon?
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are always White Sales in January. Seriously, these are sales on linens which always were white about 50 years ago. It comes around every year.
Posted by sideline (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have the money and not going in a store 4:oo in the morning. After thanksgiving you can have the rest. Too much foolishness going on.
Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Presents are the reason for the season.
Posted by wrck4ever (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Many items selling out this year are not being restocked. Zhu Zhu Pets can only be found on *bay at 4x the retail price. Character items such as Yo Gabba Gabba, Scooby Do, Krypto the Super Dog, and Diego that could only be found on line to begin with are sold out. ***mart on line tv deals are out of stock. Acer netbooks gone...
There are still items for sale but good luck to shoppers looking for 'that particular item'. Shop early and shop local if you can.
Posted by krjjsu (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom..do as one shall be pleased to do...having fun in life... Natchez has a long ways to go with these ignorant thoughts about the individuals who chose to shop.... OMG...
Posted by Continental_Line (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do any local merchants have the Obama Chia Pet in stock ?
Or should I order one from the Cha Cha Cha Chia 800 number ?
Just wondering, I thought it was a joke until I saw the commercial.
Posted by Continental_Line (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would also love to buy a Cheney Chia Pet .
"Undisclosed Location ? "... that's a good one grungebob !
Cha Cha Cha Cheney !
Can you fire bird shot at it ?
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here ya go CL:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.a...
If you get 2 extra packs of seeds, you get free shipping! Less than $30 total.
Posted by Continental_Line (anonymous) on November 28, 2009 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank's Steve_O .
I now have matching bookends. I did save money on the extra seed packs.
I have since learned there are about 30 Obama Chia Pets still on sale at the CVS Dug Store in Baton Rouge, ( Veterans Blvd @ College Avenue).
They are next to the Les Miles clocks.
Posted by mom02 (anonymous) on November 29, 2009 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How dare you people who do not support your local retail stores get on here and talk about those who did! Hooray if you shopped online to get your items, those items are sometimes not in stock either, trust me i know. This is one of the many reasons why a lot of stores in our town are closing because some people choose to spend elsewhere.
You call this the city in which you love( for those who are actually proud to be from Natchez), but you are the very ones who are taking away the benefits of creating a better economized town.
Seriously, I commend those who chose to stay within their limits and shop with our local retailers.
I do not agree with those who chose to carry the sale beyond its literal meaning by creating a physical altercation, but this to is a lesson learned for those.
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