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seems there is at least one report of a shopper getting injured or killed in some dystopian, chaotic scene at a shopping mall.” t’s that time of the year again when Americans binge on turkey, watch football and camp out next to their favorite retail store to beat their fellow Americans on Black Friday deals. Thanksgiving is a holiday about gratitude, spending time with family and enjoying a meal around the kitchen table with loved ones. But over the years, major retailers have hijacked the holiday with early discounts and flashy advertisements feeding into America’s consumption appetite. The retail giants are the catalyst for much of the nightmare stories that we all witness in person or in the news from the aftermath of Black Friday each year.It’s not uncommon to see viral videos on social media of fights inside a Walmart, Target or Best Buy over a discounted item or arguments outside a store over a parking space. These are just a few reasons to avoid the frenzy of Black Friday. People should also consider the fact that we’re still in a pandemic.

Yet, major retailers still push their agenda to get Americans out shopping in hopes to maximize their profits even starting weeks ahead to build up the excitement. Unfortunately, many of the advertised sales leading up to Black Friday are not so “hot deals,” but rather tricks of the trade.

According to an article on The Hustle, “Since 2006, 11 people have died and more than 100 have been injured in Black Friday-related incidents. Every Black Friday, it

According to Forbes, “One popular trick retailers employ is inflating original prices to make discounts seem deeper than they really are.

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For example, Sears will be holding a Black Friday deal that lists the Samsung 55-inch for $599.99. The advertisement lists the original price at $1,199.99. But in early November, the Sears website listed the same TV at $807.49, so the actual discount to the shopper is $207.50, not $600.”

Online shopping allows a person to skip the lines, and crowded department stores on Black Friday, but can still be challenging to find a limited product on sale since many Americans flock online in the early hours to snatch up those deals. The best advice according to consumer reports is, “Start shopping early this year, it’s a good strategy, not only because deals are kicking off earlier but also because hot products may sell out quickly, or fail to arrive at your doorstep on time.” worellana.roundupnews@ gmail.com materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.