It is the unofficial-official beginning of the Christmas season. The time to get great quality for less money.* The day after Thanksgiving is known for its sales and promotions, named Black Friday. Sales are expected to start early Thanksgiving Day and extend throughout the weekend until “Cyber Monday”.

“I plan to start Thursday morning and end on Friday night this year,” Suhritha Bolisetty, 2018, said.

Retailers’ opening times are typically hours earlier on the day, with people flooding into the store the second it opens. 2011 set the record, for openings of Target, Kohl’s, Macy’s and Best Buy at midnight to make the most of the day of savings. Despite the early hours many still spend their time in line to ensure the capture of the sales.

“The Kohl’s line was wrapped around the whole store almost twice, so it was really claustrophobic,” Madison Ari, 2017, said.

As great as a day where a tablet or smartphone is half off, for many it will come the risks. Since 2006, the day has accounted for seven deaths made up of car crashes, tramplings, and a shooting.

“People physically push each other and are very selfish. Many people are crazy and obnoxious about getting what they want,”  Klara Heuchert, 2018, said.

With lines lasting for over 12 hours, one of the largest concerns is the productivity rate on Black Friday. Although the sales extend through the weekend, the best prices are typically placed on that Friday. This is when many of the initial sales are made and when the public is seemingly most enthusiastic about standing in lines to make them.

“People waste too much time at the mall when it is not productive,” Michael Connet,  2018, said.

Sales rocket over Black Friday weekend. Because of the reputation it has grown over the years, it is common to believe that Black Friday’s sales will be the best they will be for the year, however many retailers have taken advantage of this and offered less of a sale than what is expected. Smart TVs, laptops, and airfare use the day as a tool to make more sales for roughly the same cost as you would see on any other day.

“Many things aren’t truly on sale. Stores are just pretending and lying about the amount of sales placed on their items. Black Friday is just a marketing tool that is useless for customers,” Heuchert said.

Despite challenges faced along the way, Black Friday is regarded as the prime day in the year to go shopping. Discounts have been at record lows in past years, and are predicted to continue at this rate for those to come. For many, the excitement found on the day is unbeatable even by making the purchase.

“I really think that it gives this adrenaline rush. It is so fast-paced, and makes you want everything,” Ari said.