Royal Purple

Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Kraig Przybylski

Some call it tradition, others are in it for the deals. No matter what analysts were saying, Black Friday seemed alive and well in many places.

Southridge Mall in Greendale was full at 9 a.m. Friday. There were few parking spaces, and even fewer places to stand without getting bumped once inside.

Freshman Lia Ziemann said cutting in line was the only way they managed to get out of the store in a reasonable time. "We were in Target for about an hour, and my sister said if it wasn't for that woman [letting us cut] she would probably still be in line."

This year, with the economy hanging over everyone's head, some consumers are cutting back.

"In general, I have spent less money this year than I have in previous years," senior Nora Currie said. "I have only written out one check in the past two months. This is mostly due to the financial crisis that our nation is suffering from."

Graduate student Kathy Bieszk, who started shopping in Southridge at 8 a.m., agreed this year's shopping was different than years past.

"We're doing Christmas differently this year," Bieszk said. "We're drawing names instead of doing one present for everyone."

There was a "Buy Nothing Day" campaign this year to counteract the typical advertisements for good deals. Sponsored by Adbusters.org, the site suggested creative alternatives to help consumers choose not to spend, such as standing outside stores with scissors offering to cut up credit cards.

Not everyone changed their shopping habits.

"I normally don't spend a lot," Ziemann said. "I shop more for my friends when I go on Black Friday because it's hard to shop for my mom and sister when they're there with me."

But for those inclined to shop, there were deals, and plenty of them. From designer jeans at $20, to $2 DVDs at Wal-mart, there were ways to save as long as you knew where to look.

Junior Kristine Johnson said this year she shopped differently by trying to find sales online when trying to find prices for a digital picture frame.

"I found that it was not cheaper to buy online and therefore bought in the store," Johnson said. "In years past, I never went online ahead of time."

There were plenty of people shopping, despite worries about the economy.

"Half Price books opened at 7 a.m. and the line was down the block because they were giving away free book bags," Johnson said. "I guess the book bags went out in about three minutes."

So, with all the crowds and craziness, why would anyone want to even go out on a day like Black Friday?

"Tradition," both Ziemann and Johnson said.

"Deals," Bieszk said.

"I needed to get new boots," Currie said.

With that many people in a store, some interesting things are bound to happen.

"Boston store put almost everything as Door Busters, so people couldn't use their free $10 coupon on anything," Johnson said. "So people were buying bras, socks, and underwear in an effort to get something free. Most people got frustrated though and were giving their $10 coupon away."

Currie also had an interesting shopping experience.

"There was a family getting their holiday photo taken when we went to get my mom's passport photo taken," she said. "I can't think of anyone I know who would choose to do that on Black Friday."

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