Once upon a time, there was a online activist group called "Boycott Black Thursday". Their numbers grew and grew and their typing became more and more furious as they sounded off together in a group on Facebook.
"Let's do something!" they said.
"Shop local" they said.
"We need to put family back into the holidays" they said.
Each getting louder and louder as they clickity clacked on their computers. Foaming at the mouth with rage. How dare they?! Why would we foster to such CORPORATE GREED on a FAMILY day?
"What about the families?!!!!"
You can almost hear them mouthing their responses as they fervently press their enter buttons.. and their necks nearly snapping in two nodding in agreement with their fellow protractors.
"BOYCOTTBOYCOTTBOYCOTT.. we are the people, hear us ROAR---- oh look, Walmart has fantastic doorbusters this year.. I need a new TV"
...
Every year, you Americans get on your soapbox and declare that every single holiday that has a Hallmark card needs to close down the entire nation. As if, for some reason, this day is unlike any other day in the whole year. What is worse, you make these pathetic online groups just to murmur in disdain about stores you surely won't shop in. Until the day after Thanksgiving because Black Friday is still Black Friday, right?
The smug of internet activism is sickening and it is growing.
First of all, let's address the comment:
"If we boycott, we will send these corporations a message. We'll speak with our money! Then they will have to listen to us!"
Your money means nothing. I will explain why and I will explain it in as lay as I possibly can. Just in case your skull is a bit thicker than your average human being. For every 1 shopper that does not go out and shop this season, there are at least another 50 that will. Retailers don't worry about the money you're not spending.
Why?
Because the average shopper will spend nearly $500 in their trip.( Black Friday Yearly Spending Trends) That equals to just about $60 BILLION dallors in sales and if you notice the charts, that number is RISING. Trust me, your two piece PJ set you were going to buy for your mother in law for $10 is going to find another home if you don't come pick it up.
Next comment, please.
"Why would we foster to the CORPORATE GREED on a family day?"
This is a really stupid question to even consider. Although, not surprising coming from a group of idiots on a Facebook group. This is not Corporate greed. This is good, old fashioned American styled greed. There is some element of truth when people shout about putting their money where their mouth is. (However long they can wait to run out and go late Christmas shopping.)
The reason for these early openings is the same reason why stores that normally aren't open during these hours go to 24 hours right before Christmas.
The reasons are every single asshole that decides that they need to come into a retailer to grab Christmas presents at 2 am because that store happens to be open. Every single person you see setting up tents on the side of your local Best Buy building. Every single person that is in the check out lane during regular hours spending over a grand and they aren't done yet. Your reason is standing in front of you in the mirror.
Why do stores open at weird hours and inconvenient times for their employees? Well, my friends, it is because those are the times that you have told them that are convenient for YOU.
Why has Black Friday become "Black Thursday"? Why, because of you.
The same wanna be activists that will do anything for 15 minutes of fame. To get your message out. They are open because you are at work, school and with kids during their normal hours so you can't get there at a normal time. They are open because you MUST HAVE that Frozen bed sheet set and, oh shit, you forgot to get it a month and a half ago and now you have to grab it at the last minute. Where, at some point in time, you will spit venom (whether inside your head or not.. probably not though) because the retailer doesn't have it.
What's even better is, some of you will be in those lines and even if you aren't, you'll be there when they are open early because of the holiday season. You'll be there in your vehicle 20 minutes before they open on a Wednesday morning because you get a discount today and well, they are getting paid for it, right?
Bottom line? Do it. Boycott your silly stores because of silly reasons that won't matter because your bitching and complaining on a Facebook group page isn't helping anyone that you are doing it for. Want to do something for your average retail worker?
Don't be a dick. That's it.
Your online battle has already been lost. Know when to leave the table.
