Behind the scenes Black Friday (experiences working on Black Friday)

@maezee (41997)
United States
November 26, 2010 7:32am CST
Last year, when I worked at Macy's during the winter (in addition to working for the company that I do now), it was absolutely nuts, as to be expected. I was thrown into the household department (things like pots, silverwear, knives, and so on) and I did not help very many customers efficiently - mainly because I had no knowledge of the area, and plus, it was a cramped little space. Agh. Remind me not to work in retail again, will you? However I'm currently at the dry cleaners, working the day shift (6:30a-3:30p) and it is DEAD. I haven't even had one customer so far. People are too busy hitting the sales and whatnot. What's your job like on Black Friday? Or what have your past experiences been with working @ Black Friday? && Is Black Friday a retail-worker's worst nightmare, or WHAT?
1 person likes this
2 responses
Anora_Eldorath
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
26 Nov 10
I worked various retail jobs when putting myself through college and I'm very happy not to be working in that field anymore. I think though it gave me the taste of what it is like to be on the other end and made me a very considerate shopper when out and about. My current duties are mommy and my day is very busy today as I multi-task. It was up early for breakfast and now lunch is almost here. Cleaning is always on my list of things to do because it is never ending when you have little ones. Then there is playtime in the snow again today. Though it probably won't be for very long because of the windchill here today. I am not going out today to shop. I'm not a black Friday shopper. Next payday I'll be buying things offline to complete our Yule shopping. Then I'll pick up (sometime between then and the Yule) the few gifts from Target I saw along with stocking stuffers. Stocking stuffers are not a big deal to get early because I don't go with "hot sale" gifts. I do a lot that revolves around our interests which are not along the lines of the hottest gadgets, etc. I also do a lot of fruit and mixed nuts (the ones in the shell) and I've never had a year of shortage. Currently the little ones are finishing Tarzan as I do a bit of writing (seriously multitasking). I'm hoping later today to get some work done on my thesis as well. Namaste-Anora
peavey
@peavey (16936)
• United States
26 Nov 10
I am so glad I don't have to work retail. I can only imagine what a nightmare it must be to have to work with such crowds all day long! I work online and don't even venture out on Black Friday. I don't like the crowds well enough even to be a customer, much less wait on them!