The Beagle Log, 23 November - Black Friday

Subject: The Beagle Log, 23 November - Black Friday Fri 23 Nov 2007 - 2:53

Black Friday

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving – the start of the Christmas shopping season. Stores open early (earlier every year – some at 12:01 AM this year). The term “black Friday” historically refers to the day when the major department stores’ financial sheets go into the black. Shopping malls are a zoo - people crawling over each other; if you’re lucky to find a parking space, it's in the far corner of the overflow lot; and unending lines at the cash registers. My wife is dragging me to Potomac Mills (click link) today. Only the foolish or the brave venture into these malls and I’m not the latter.

Do you have “Black Friday’s” and if so, do you venture forth?

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Don

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 23 November - Black Friday Fri 23 Nov 2007 - 10:06

Hi Don!
You have my sympathy going shopping in crowds. We try to go when we know it will be quiet and for that reason avoid Saturdays at this time of year.
'Black Friday' sounds like the start of the really big 'sales' in London particularly. In this context 'sales' means prices that are slashed by perhaps 50% or goods practically 'given away' as loss leaders. However prices are slashed so often these days that 'sales' have almost lost their novelty factor. Yes, there are Malls over here but I find they involve too much walking and are too hot.

In Spain near to where we live we have a lovely 'mall'. It is not enclosed all the way round, although shade from the sun is provided, which means we can still enjoy the fresh air and the views. I really like it, except when it rains of course!. However that is fortunately not too often! See this site for more information http://www.torreviejainformation.com/torrevieja/

This is the Manchester Mall

http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk/
:cheers: Gillian

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''What will survive of us is love.''Philip Larkin

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 23 November - Black Friday Fri 23 Nov 2007 - 22:26

Hi all.
Gillian, we went to Torrevieja when at my mums. Unfortunately it rained that day. I'm trying to think if that's the day we went to the inland sea? We visited the shopping mall which was really nice. It's about 45 minutes south of mum and dads place.
Love to all
Daz
xxx

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My family are like stars in the night sky of my life.
Always there at the end of the day.
The light of their love forever constant as the Northern star.
Safely guiding me home.
Dreams are the realities of tomorrow.
Everyone is in tune with the spirits of their ancestors. Unfortunately some are tone deaf.
Copyright. Daz.2008.

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 23 November - Black Friday Sat 24 Nov 2007 - 0:01

Freeport : Fleetwood Outlet Shopping Village

A shopping and leisure village with over 40 retail outlets, selling at discounts of up to 50%, children's adventure playground and indoor play area. visitlancashire.com>coastal

Hi Don, Gillian and Daz,

This is my favourite. Nowhere near as big as the Trafford Centre in Manchester of course. But I don't like big shopping centres - but Freeport at Fleetwood I like. Because it has a nice relaxed open and airy atmosphere compared to others - well I think so anyway! and just big enough for my likes.

Their Website http://www.freeport-fleetwood.com

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Carole, Smith Project/Smith Chat Admin
Nothing is too small to know, and nothing too big to attempt (William Van Horne)

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 23 November - Black Friday Sat 24 Nov 2007 - 15:05

Hi Carole!
It looks like I might enjoy Freeport. I shall have to give it a try!
Hi Daz!
Yes, I believe I found your place on the map eventually. It is El Mohon I think(not Mahon).
There are salt lakes inland from Torrevieja. Two big ones. We live at the inland end of the La Mata one. The Flamingoes seem to be back this winter which is good news, if they stay. They fled two years ago when there was a lot of building activity in the area. Unfortunately they have been allowed to build far too close to their natural habitat. There are major salt works on the Torrevieja salt lake. The salt is used for gritting around Europe.
:cheers: Gillian :santa: :(fairy):

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''What will survive of us is love.''Philip Larkin

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 23 November - Black Friday Sat 24 Nov 2007 - 15:20

Good Morning,

I survived. Christmas shopping on “Back Friday” is a “blood sport”, not to be undertaken by those faint of hart. Below are photos’ I took yesterday.

Parking by one of the entrances ( I was two lots further back)

Portion of the main concourse

One does not go to Potomac Mills for the ambiance; there are other up-scale malls for that. The Mall is much like an industrial building with bare bones construction. Over 200 discount stores lining the mile-long main concourse. And a half mile in side concourses. One goes for the discounts; footwear to electronics, cosmetics to kitchen appliances. Discounts normally range from 10% to 30% (some higher) of the retail prices found at up-scale malls. On “Black Friday” and other key times such as Washington’s Birthday Sales in February, discounts can be as high as 70% and 80%.

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I tried accessing the link for Torrevieja but find that I am banned. When I click the link I get the briefest view of the web site and then redirected to a blank screen. Truncating the URL for that screen, I get http://www.trafficcleaner.com/index.php?data[action][]=guest&data[action][]=main_page Apparently, this service allows the screening for select viewers. We in North America appear to not to be welcome. Oh well…

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Don

Subject: Re: The Beagle Log, 23 November - Black Friday Sat 24 Nov 2007 - 15:52

There are several malls in the DC area. Two that we frequent are Tysons Corner and Fair Lakes (click the links for details). (Potomac Mills is an hour’s drive away whereas these two are substantially closer.) My travels have taken me too many parts of the country where I saw many local malls. Once you peel away the local motif, they all begin to look the same. The store names change but merchandise is similar. Discount malls have become popular over the past quarter century but they also tend to blend together with size being the major distinction. :shrug]:

The single most revolutionary thing that has impacted shopping is the internet. :(Comp1): I much prefer online shopping; I can quickly compare prices and features. Goods are delivered usually within three days or less. But, malls remain an attraction. Where better to go for “people watching” or just wandering through the stores not knowing what you will see that you need. :>>:

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Don