Gabbylittleangel
Member
- Jul 20, 2006
- 1,937
- 2
I realize that this is a Christian forum, and there are few retailers who might see this. Perhaps the regular readers of this forum know a good place where they could post a link to this letter, and add their "Amen" to any or all of it. Thanks.
To America's retailers and advertisers;
I just watched a news report on your concern over the economy. The report spoke of discounts, extended hours, and other tactics that you are using to try to lure last minute shoppers into your store to spend money. Will late season buying boost the economy?
It is two days before Christmas, and I am home, relaxing. In response to the concern that has been reported, I thought that I, a consumer, should offer a clue or two.
First:
Black Friday. You see, the roots of what has become a holiday in itself has its roots in the simple fact that it was convenient for the average American to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Many of us have a four day weekend, and found it to be a good time to go, and a wise use of time.
Analyst figured it out, and began trying to get us to spend our time and money with their store. They began competing with each other to get customers into their store. Customers began searching the advertisements for the best bargains.
Then the brainstorm happened. Coupons that were only valid between 6:00 and 8:00 am the day after Thanksgiving. Or coupons that lost value with each passing hour. It has been many years since I have bitten on that hook. In years past I have watched news reports in horror as people have stampeded through doors at 4:00 or 5:00 am. Knocking each other down, trampling one another. I can still remember the video that played over and over of the 'injured' shopper being knocked down and stepped on as if people were leaving a burning building, rather than entering a shopping spree.
Perhaps America got a good look at itself that year. News anchors could not help but comment on it. The toughest, most hardened reporters were exclaiming "OH my God! Look at that! I can't believe it." I have to wonder if the people who did the pushing and shoving are telling stories about how they won that victory, or if they are telling their children how many people suffered so that they could have the latest video game.
Maybe American shoppers hung their head in shame that year when they were reminded of the reason for the season. No, the reason is not being together with family. The reason is not charity. And the reason is not certainly to get the latest cabbage patch doll, or MP3 gizmo. The reason for the season is Jesus Christ. God's Son, given to us that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. You see, He came to save us from sin.
American retailers seem to be promoting a bit of that sin that He came to save us from. He left us with a commandment to love one another. To lead others to Him. Not to step on top of one another in an attempt to get the latest and greatest electronics at a discount ~ and that to celebrate His birth. Think of it.
Second:
Thanksgiving. A day set aside by our forefathers to give thanks to God for our blessings. The hardships that our forefathers endured are rarely taught to our children today, and they are being taught that the pilgrims were not giving thanks to God, but to Indians, and all sorts of other nonsense. Today, Thanksgiving seems to be all about eating a big dinner, watching football games, and sifting through newspaper advertisements. Never a word about the foundations of this nation. For the most part, that reinforces my opinion that this nation has been knocked off of its foundation.
If you are indeed concerned for the economy, you will remember these things.
1.) I spend Thanksgiving with family, celebrating in the name of the Lord and actually giving Him thanks for all of the blessings that I enjoy. While I do purchase a newspaper that is filled with several pounds of advertisements, it would take me three or four days to seriously look through it all. Those advertisements might get read on Friday, Saturday or Sunday that weekend. What a waste to open an advertisement only to find that the sale only lasted for 3 or 4 hours, in the middle of the night, two or three days ago. With a shrug, it gets tossed.
2.) Black Friday is dangerous. Foolish. And has become more like participating in a sporting event. Only those who are healthy, and skilled in self defence ought to participate. I would love to see some statistics about traffic accidents that occur on Black Friday by shoppers who are rushing from Best Buy to Circuit City or from Target to Walmart. The Friday after Thanksgiving is a great time to spend at home, inside, putting up Christmas decorations, enjoying left over turkey, and truly remembering the reason for the season.
3.) If you really wanted my business, you would have the products on the shelf, at a reasonable price, at a reasonable time. It has been a long time since I have heard complaints about the commercialism of Christmas. I for one, discovered that the way to overcome it, is to not participate in it.
4.) And last, but not least, I am totally offended at your practice of walking through your store, in late October and seeing satanic decorations on one side of the aisle, and Christmas decorations on the other. And those Christmas decorations are often secular or of idols. This too, keeps me out of your store. I am reminded of how Jesus cleared the temple, overturning the tables of those who were interested only in merchandising.
I love the season, the celebrations, the lights and the sparkle. I enjoy exchanging gifts. I love finding the perfect gift for my loved ones. But when you limit your best sales to the early morning hours of the Friday after Thanksgiving, or the midnight hours the day or two before Christmas, don't expect me to be there.
Merry Christmas.
To America's retailers and advertisers;
I just watched a news report on your concern over the economy. The report spoke of discounts, extended hours, and other tactics that you are using to try to lure last minute shoppers into your store to spend money. Will late season buying boost the economy?
It is two days before Christmas, and I am home, relaxing. In response to the concern that has been reported, I thought that I, a consumer, should offer a clue or two.
First:
Black Friday. You see, the roots of what has become a holiday in itself has its roots in the simple fact that it was convenient for the average American to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Many of us have a four day weekend, and found it to be a good time to go, and a wise use of time.
Analyst figured it out, and began trying to get us to spend our time and money with their store. They began competing with each other to get customers into their store. Customers began searching the advertisements for the best bargains.
Then the brainstorm happened. Coupons that were only valid between 6:00 and 8:00 am the day after Thanksgiving. Or coupons that lost value with each passing hour. It has been many years since I have bitten on that hook. In years past I have watched news reports in horror as people have stampeded through doors at 4:00 or 5:00 am. Knocking each other down, trampling one another. I can still remember the video that played over and over of the 'injured' shopper being knocked down and stepped on as if people were leaving a burning building, rather than entering a shopping spree.
Perhaps America got a good look at itself that year. News anchors could not help but comment on it. The toughest, most hardened reporters were exclaiming "OH my God! Look at that! I can't believe it." I have to wonder if the people who did the pushing and shoving are telling stories about how they won that victory, or if they are telling their children how many people suffered so that they could have the latest video game.
Maybe American shoppers hung their head in shame that year when they were reminded of the reason for the season. No, the reason is not being together with family. The reason is not charity. And the reason is not certainly to get the latest cabbage patch doll, or MP3 gizmo. The reason for the season is Jesus Christ. God's Son, given to us that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. You see, He came to save us from sin.
American retailers seem to be promoting a bit of that sin that He came to save us from. He left us with a commandment to love one another. To lead others to Him. Not to step on top of one another in an attempt to get the latest and greatest electronics at a discount ~ and that to celebrate His birth. Think of it.
Second:
Thanksgiving. A day set aside by our forefathers to give thanks to God for our blessings. The hardships that our forefathers endured are rarely taught to our children today, and they are being taught that the pilgrims were not giving thanks to God, but to Indians, and all sorts of other nonsense. Today, Thanksgiving seems to be all about eating a big dinner, watching football games, and sifting through newspaper advertisements. Never a word about the foundations of this nation. For the most part, that reinforces my opinion that this nation has been knocked off of its foundation.
If you are indeed concerned for the economy, you will remember these things.
1.) I spend Thanksgiving with family, celebrating in the name of the Lord and actually giving Him thanks for all of the blessings that I enjoy. While I do purchase a newspaper that is filled with several pounds of advertisements, it would take me three or four days to seriously look through it all. Those advertisements might get read on Friday, Saturday or Sunday that weekend. What a waste to open an advertisement only to find that the sale only lasted for 3 or 4 hours, in the middle of the night, two or three days ago. With a shrug, it gets tossed.
2.) Black Friday is dangerous. Foolish. And has become more like participating in a sporting event. Only those who are healthy, and skilled in self defence ought to participate. I would love to see some statistics about traffic accidents that occur on Black Friday by shoppers who are rushing from Best Buy to Circuit City or from Target to Walmart. The Friday after Thanksgiving is a great time to spend at home, inside, putting up Christmas decorations, enjoying left over turkey, and truly remembering the reason for the season.
3.) If you really wanted my business, you would have the products on the shelf, at a reasonable price, at a reasonable time. It has been a long time since I have heard complaints about the commercialism of Christmas. I for one, discovered that the way to overcome it, is to not participate in it.
4.) And last, but not least, I am totally offended at your practice of walking through your store, in late October and seeing satanic decorations on one side of the aisle, and Christmas decorations on the other. And those Christmas decorations are often secular or of idols. This too, keeps me out of your store. I am reminded of how Jesus cleared the temple, overturning the tables of those who were interested only in merchandising.
I love the season, the celebrations, the lights and the sparkle. I enjoy exchanging gifts. I love finding the perfect gift for my loved ones. But when you limit your best sales to the early morning hours of the Friday after Thanksgiving, or the midnight hours the day or two before Christmas, don't expect me to be there.
Merry Christmas.
