dsheinem wrote:So there's no such thing as corporate responsibility regarding promotions? Is it ethical to offer six $100 laptops and four $300 Plasma TVs at a store for a 5am opening when you know from experience that customers will punch, claw, and kick one another to get one of those items?
Black Friday sales are the one time a year when it is common for prices to be lowered to absurd levels well below cost -- and while shoppers can certainly do anything they want, our consumerist and ad-saturated culture has conditioned many into thinking that Black Friday is their one annual chance to buy some piece of happiness that they otherwise couldn't afford. Like I said before, many of these promotions prey on those customers with low income who will resign themselves to the cattle run of a Black Friday morning because they feel they need some material item and this is the one day when companies will offer it at a price they can afford. Meanwhile, those with more disposable income have the luxury of choosing to opt out of the madness and pay regular sale prices.
I'm not arguing against all sales, and I've worked in retail and also know what works and doesn't. Your perspective on business practice isn't somehow more valid than mine just because the bottom line says so. I think Black Friday is irresponsible and do really wish it would stop, or at least be regulated in some way. The fact that we are injuring and killing each other once a year over cheap electronics is despicable, and it would be worth tossing the "tradition" just to save a few lives.
I hate the quote by quote thingy that a lot of posters do, so please bare with me on this as I'll jump around a bit.
Last things first. Your perspective on retail is just as valid as mine, although I would argue that I have much more extensive experience and knowledge on the subject. That doesn't take anything away from your opinion, at all.
First things second. No, there is no corporate responsibility regarding sales. None.
What is price to a retailer? Nothing/Everything. In retail, price is ambiguous. Price means nothing without relevance to the market. You price items at whatever you'd like to, one of the first lessons on pricing strategy; Price items at what the market bears.
And quit this nonsense that "Black Friday is the only day where sales are so low" garbage. If people are so empty headed that they are conditioned to think there is only one big sale a year, I say farewell to the people who get trampled to death. Only leaves smarter people alive.
What should be said is that Black Friday is a day where retailers drop prices on a lot of low selling items, and try to get you to get extra items at an assumed discount because of perceived value. Best Buy isn't selling a Wii with three games for $50, they're selling 20 year old DVD's at a price that to cover cost and PC's that have a 5-year life span. You won't see 7080p Sony 3-D ready TV's for $500 either.
The sales are out there everyday, some people are too lazy to look for them. This in turn helps retail stores, and if it helps weed out the ignorant population, good. Black Friday is great for businesses, and great for people. Can't see how anyone would argue against that.
