A country that acts like this in order to save a couple of dollars on a TV does not deserve to survive. Even in the midst of a severe recession the debt addicts cannot help themselves. No different than the heroin addict looking for one more hit, the American is looking for that final hit before the credit card is maxed out. The American complains he is broke and in dire need of government handouts. Then he lines up at 3:00am outside the Best Buy doors to buy a 60" $1500 TV. It is sickening to say the least.
Pitiful. Disgusting. Sad.
The local Atlanta rag, has a Black Friday shopping guide.
. Read this and you quickly realize why the country is on its death bed. No society so addicted to material goods can survive for much longer. Does this sound like a rational society?
Still, anyone who has braved Black Friday knows it is about so much more than just a sale. It’s the thrill of shopping in the wee hours. The rush of scoring that coveted product at the lowest price it has been all year.
So if I understand this correctly, you should go out there and shop. But not because you actually need things. But because shopping is a thrill and scoring shit you don't need in order to impress people you don't like at 30% off is a rush. Almost as if they are talking about drug addicts huh?
RIP AMERICA
1776-2009
3 comments:
And of course there is the unfortunate death of a Wal-Mart worker today who died after being trampled by a bargin seeking crowd.
Personally I have trouble justifying the opportunity cost of standing in line. The only time I ever did it was when I bought a TV and DVD player (1998, so DVD was pretty expensive) at a store where a friend of mine worked.
He couldn't hold them indefinitely so I had to be there relatively early. The 20 minute wait in line was worth the combination of Boxing Day (Canada) sale price + employee discount.
But what is opportunity cost when you have a chance to shop in the wee hours of the morning?
There is also the notion of 'retailers aren't stupid'. Yeah they will give you the 20% off a TV. But how many people walk out of Best Buy or Walmart with just the TV? They all walk out with a cart full of junk they wouldn't have bought otherwise.
Spend $500 extra to save $100.
Brilliant.
Retailers certainly aren't stupid that's for sure.
Who ever came up with "The more you spend, the more you save!" is the Einstein of the retail world. Yes the discount/rebate goes up as you spend more, but in the end you are still spending more money.
Black Friday and Boxing Day are the ultimate in loss leader exercises. Of course, if too many people buy only the loss leaders the store is screwed - much like a grocery store near my place.
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