Why Black Friday is like the Iowa State Fair

by | Nov 22, 2017 | All, Get Help With Savings, Make Money

Why Black Friday is like the Iowa State Fair
Share3
Shares 3

I love Black Friday. But not for the reason that most people like Black Friday.

Me getting up at 4am to get the door-buster deals generally doesn’t happen. However, me getting up at 4am to watch what happens when the door-buster customers show up routinely happens.

Black Friday is like the Iowa State Fair for me. It’s a circus, oftentimes mayhem, wrapped in cloaks of consumerism, greed, and sloth. It’s not the deals, but the details I’m interested in.

While the benefits of $2 DVDs and $200 TVs are unmistakeable, it’s the people watching that makes the day such a fantastic treat for me.

Here are 5 ways Black Friday is like the Iowa State Fair:

    1. People sleep outdoors in preparation for it. Much like the ISF, where campers put their names in YEARS in advance to get a coveted spot in the campground, people are pitching tents outside of retail stores to save a few extra bucks. I can honestly say I’ve never slept outside in anticipation of Black Friday, but I did show up at a Fry’s electronics 30 minutes after it opened one year and got the same TV deal that a guy who slept there all night got. #Winning.
    2. Someone is getting punched before the day is over. Whether you’re fighting over a Kitchenaid mixer or the possibility that you looked at someone’s girlfriend, someone is going to get punched daily at the Iowa State Fair, and someone WILL be punched on Black Friday. When fight or flight kicks in, best not get in the way of a woman who swears this is going to be the best BF haul she’s ever had. (She’s highly caffeinated by the way and has a brick in the bottom of her purse for just such an occasion).
    3. People spend way more than they anticipated spending. I’ve used the ATM machine multiple times in one day at the ISF because those bacon-wrapped corn dogs are SO DAMN GOOD. And it seems that the beer prices just go up every year and I always forget to plan for it. Retailers are aware that while you may have come in just for the incredible buys (those are called Loss Leaders — cheap stuff that gets you in the door) you’ll no doubt leave with some high profit margin impulse items as well. If only retailers had deep-fried Twinkie stands…
    4. The day starts early and ends late. At least for some of us dedicated fairgoers and shoppers, it’s nothing to get there first thing in the morning and not call it a day until late at night. I heard a family talking about Black Friday being a 16 hour day for them. Can you imagine the hangover from that? I can. I had one two years ago just like it from the Iowa State Fair.
    5. The People – some haven’t seen the light of day in months. THIS is the magical experience I often look for. Finding the individuals who have been in hiding much of the year, and have ventured out for this once a year event. While I am a frugal consumer, in search of great deals, I am first and foremost an interesting encounter hunter. I collect them like prized possessions and, make no mistake, whether at the Iowa State Fair or out and about on Black Friday, I will be engaging with you and others in hopes that I can add another interesting encounter to my collection.

This Black Friday (and this August when the Iowa State Fair comes back), come find me. I’ll be perched in a somewhat central location talking up the nearest interesting person or group, gnawing on a corn dog or cinnamon roll, and taking in the greatest show on earth.

468