Black Friday Alternatives: Deals on eBay and Small Business Saturday

Pictured: Black Friday on eBay will have deals all month.

The news headlines on today’s Black Friday shopping frenzy are dismaying to say the least.  A woman sprayed 20 other shoppers with pepper spray at a Walmart in Los Angeles in order to get the best deals.  Meanwhile, in another part of the US, shots were fired at a mall last night in Fayetteville, NC.   There were also several armed robberies reported.  Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but what is going on when people are shopping “competitively” with guns and pepper spray? Do we really need to hurt each other and be violent to get the biggest, cheapest TV or gadget?   Frankly, I am disgusted and I haven’t been out to face this shopping frenzy.  I agree with the New York Times, article quoting Professor Etzioni, who teaches computer science at the University of Washington, “The bottom line is, Black Friday is for the retailers to go from the red into the black,” he said. “It’s not really for people to get great deals on the most popular products, ” notes Professor Etzioni.

So be safe people.  Here are a few alternatives for you to consider.  First, Holiday Deals at eBay.
eBay is offering deals all month long and you can shop safely from your computer.  Second, remember that tomorrow is Small Business Saturday.  Head out to local shops on Main street and sign-up for a $25.00 credit with American Express on your credit card to save.

And remember, Cyber Monday is just around the corner.  More online deals are coming very soon.  So be kind to each other.  Shopping is not meant to be a contact sport.