December 14, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

How far along are you on your Christmas/holiday shopping? Did you go shopping on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving)? Do you plan to do most of your shopping this season in stores or online?
(Asked at Via Valiente Plaza)

“I’m 80 percent completed. Yes, I went to Toys R Us on Black Friday to buy for our grandchildren. It was crazy. We spent 1 ½ hours there and I was dead afterwards. But we bought all my grandchildren’s toys. Typically my friends and I have been hitting the stores at 7 a.m. when Kohls and Macy’s open. We can get a lot done in the half hour before getting to school. I do most of my shopping at the mall. I like getting out and being with people and the craziness. Besides, I have the time.”

Bridie Alai, 55
Almaden
Works part time at Bret Harte


“I’m almost finished. No, I didn’t shop on Black Friday; I worked and I celebrated Thanksgiving. The craziest sale I’ve ever been to was at Filenes’ Basement in Boston, it’s much worse than Christmas shopping here. I’m actually shopping a little bit of both the malls and the Internet. Sometimes I like to see, touch and feel what I’m buying so I go to the mall. I also get ideas there.”

Barbara Simmons, 51
Almaden
Hair stylist


“I’m almost finished. No I did not shop on Black Friday because I don’t need the aggravation. I think the best sale I went to was at Mervyns. They had great discounts and I had an extra coupon. There was another good one at Dress Barn where they had a sweater I liked for 50 percent off. I prefer to go to the malls because I like to touch and hold things and think about it before I buy.”

Lorraine Coffaro, 58
Almaden
Retired registered nurse


“I’m 95 percent complete. I didn’t go out on Black Friday. I was in Fresno and I planned to go about 4 a.m., but my younger son was awake and I didn’t want him waking my family and in-laws. I actually went shopping on Black Friday last year with my mom. We were at Toys R Us at 4:30 a.m. We went to about 10 different stores. It was crazy and the toy stores were the worst! I do my shopping online only if I can’t find it in the stores. I’m a touchy, feely type person.”

Sandi Geringer, 43
Almaden
Homemaker


“I’m about halfway there. I’m planning to do the majority of it online to avoid the malls. I’m a power shopper so I’m not worried. I like to shop, but I don’t like to shop on Black Friday because of all the crowds."

Erin Blodgett, 37
Almaden
Consultant/homemaker


“I have one more gift to buy. I did go out on Black Friday, but just to Longs at 4 p.m. to buy my gift wrap at 50 cents a roll. It wasn’t busy at all. I honestly think the worst shopping day is the day after Christmas. I don’t like the crowds. Lots of places have great sales before Christmas now, so I don’t go out anymore on the day after Christmas. I do my shopping in stores. I don’t trust the Internet with all the fraud that’s going on.”

Gayle Newgren
Almaden
Retired


"I’m finished. No, I didn’t go out on Black Friday. I was on vacation and I refuse to shop that day. I went out once and I will never do it again. Too many people and it was too crowded. I avoid crazy sales. I did most of my shopping at Marshalls. I never checked Marshalls online. I like to look at the products. There are variations in size and quality. I batted 1,000 shopping and this was all before Thanksgiving.”

Mary Force, 43
Almaden
Homemaker