JC Penney is opening at 8 PM on Thanksgiving day.

[demelza]

Shit that sucks. We need to get an online petition going around.

[wambam]

I decided last year I was done with BF/BThankgiving? I can't support it with my money.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

TWELVE HOUR SHIFT on THANKSGIVING/BLACK FRIDAY?

That may be the WORST.

I mean, FWP-worst, but the worst a FWP can get.

[ginap]

That sucks. I don't know why stores need to be open on Thanksgiving day. Can't we just stick to old school opening at like 3:00 am and call it a day? No one needs a $3.99 turtleneck that badly.
I worked at the Gap years ago and we weren't even allowed to leave the store for our lunch break on Black Friday because mgmt knew we would never be able to get food and be back in 30 mins because the mall was such a zoo - they ordered in pizza and drinks for everyone.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

I went to their page to look at the outrage.

I'm never going to associate another word with H again.

[thinkofthesoldiers]

I've actually resolved not to buy any gifts from stores that open on Thanksgiving at all this Christmas. I did it unintentionally last year, but this year I'm making it known to whoever will listen.

[speckledfrog]

Oct 18, 2013 15:08:14 GMT -5 ginap said:

That sucks. I don't know why stores need to be open on Thanksgiving day. Can't we just stick to old school opening at like 3:00 am and call it a day? No one needs a $3.99 turtleneck that badly.
I worked at the Gap years ago and we weren't even allowed to leave the store for our lunch break on Black Friday because mgmt knew we would never be able to get food and be back in 30 mins because the mall was such a zoo - they ordered in pizza and drinks for everyone.

They open that early because people will go.   Black Friday shopping has never been appealing to me. 

[iamali]

I can't get worked up about this. Businesses are in business to make a profit. They do it by having their stores open. This is probably the best they can come up with to compete with the internet (which is open 24/7).

[lime]

I have never gotten the appeal of BF shopping.

Sorry this kills your Thanksgiving, cupcake.

[wkatie]

I think Black Friday shopping is ridic. Unless it's done in the civilized manner, online.

[iamali]

Oct 18, 2013 15:12:00 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

I don't get it. It's Black Friday. Friday being the key word.

Getting up at 3 am to be at a store at 4 am is crazy, but fun. Shopping ON Thanksgiving? That's ridiculous. Spend time with your families.

Perhaps Thanksgiving isn't a priority for some people.

[adhdfashion]

I hate that store. Just another reason to never go in there again.

[iamali]

Oct 18, 2013 15:13:44 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

Oct 18, 2013 15:10:55 GMT -5 iamali said:

I can't get worked up about this. Businesses are in business to make a profit. They do it by having their stores open. This is probably the best they can come up with to compete with the internet (which is open 24/7).

So why not do it online? 

I can't even imagine, that after all of the overtime and time and a half pay (and possible per diem pay), and the other overhead, that they're going to make a huge profit staying open for 25 hours selling buy one/get one 2 dollar sweaters. 

Those specials aren't how stores make their profit on BF. It's because people buy lots of other things there as well (since they're there afterall).

[pantsparty]

I ordered curtain rods from JC Penney this week, and now I'm pissed. Won't be spending my money there again.

[iamali]

PS - I wholeheartedly support JCP, esp. because of their LGBT policies.

[gretchenindisguise]

I'll out myself here. I was out last black friday before midnight, and I must say - it was nice to be able to get the deals and not be up at 3am. I had to work last black friday, so I liked being able to get deals and sleep at the same time.

The stores were also not insane. It was a pleasant experience.

[demelza]

iamali have you ever worked retail?

[iamali]

Oct 18, 2013 15:18:43 GMT -5 demelza said:

Iamali have you ever worked retail?

Yep! My first job ever was at JCP actually.

[demelza]

Are you a black friday shopper usually?

[sunshineluv]

Oct 18, 2013 15:10:55 GMT -5 iamali said:

I can't get worked up about this. Businesses are in business to make a profit. They do it by having their stores open. This is probably the best they can come up with to compete with the internet (which is open 24/7).

This is where I am at. I do wonder what the difference is in profits for the stores opening earlier and earlier. If I had to guess, the profits don't change too much (I mean people can only spend so much) but the risk of losing profits to the competition who is open is greater.

[iamali]

It's hit or miss.

[pantsparty]

Oct 18, 2013 15:10:55 GMT -5 iamali said:

This is probably the best they can come up with to compete with the internet (which is open 24/7).

They have a website.

[demelza]

Just trying to get some perspective. You realize these large retail stores employ millions of workers whose holiday with their family suffers just because some people feel like shopping.

*And most don't get extra pay, and if they do it does not make it worth it for the employee.

[purplecow0206]

My mom works for Walmart, which is why we don't visit my family on Thanksgiving anymore. It's not worth it, which sucks, but it is what it is.

[my4girls]

Michaels opens at 4 on Thanksgiving. I was there before eating dinner last year   and I probably will be again. they have some great deals and I am not an early morning person who's getting up at 5am for the same deals. I feel bad for the people who are stuck working if they don't want to be but I still like the good deals.  

[vampsterdam]

Eventually all the stores will join in because nobody wants to miss out. It sucks.

But I want to say that I *love* that Nordstrom does not decorate for Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving. (They post a message about celebrating one holiday at a time). It could be a PR move on their part, but I don't care.

[iamali]

Oct 18, 2013 15:23:02 GMT -5 demelza said:

Just trying to get some perspective. You realize these large retail stores employ millions of workers whose holiday with their family suffers just because some people feel like shopping.

*And most don't get extra pay, and if they do it does not make it worth it for the employee.

Welcome to capitalism!

[demelza]

With each stores opening earlier and earlier it kills the profit margins but they have to do it because the first store people visit is where the most money is spent.  

[iamali]

Oct 18, 2013 15:22:04 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

Oct 18, 2013 15:10:55 GMT -5 iamali said:

This is probably the best they can come up with to compete with the internet (which is open 24/7).

They have a website.

I'm just speculating here, but I would wager that the "average" JCP shopper (i.e. who they mainly market towards) doesn't like shopping online and would prefer to shop instores. Now whether or not they'd do it on Thanksgiving, I have no idea.


Why can't we be happy that seasonal work helps out people who need jobs? 

I just can't get worked up about this.

[demelza]

My store opened three hours earlier last year but roughly made the same amount of money as the previous year.