The Battle of Black Friday

I've never shopped on Black Friday before. There has never been anything I wanted that badly. The parking, the people, and the lines are a panic attack waiting to happen. Then, this year, Anthropologie had to go and participate in Black Friday for the first time ever, and they had to offer an unheard of 50% off discount. I couldn't resist. I decided to go to battle for some Anthropologie spoils.

I contemplated actually getting up at 2am so I could get ready and be at the Anthro in Durham before 6am. My alarm went off at 2am, and I slapped that sucker off as fast as it came on and went back to sleep. I guess I do have my limitations. Good to know. I woke up on my own around 5:45am and jumped out of bed onto my computer. I had 3 items in my cart from the night before: the Arced Ripples Pullover, the Silesia Maxi Skirt, and the Vaterland Parka. I had purchased the Vaterland Parka last weekend, but was hoping to get another one so I could return the first one and save $100. All 3 items were showing available with the 50% discount in my cart, so I pulled the trigger.

After my purchase, I hopped in the shower, made myself presentable, and was Anthro-bound. On the way there, I received the dreaded cancellation email for the Vaterland Parka and the Arced Ripples Pullover. Bummer! Well, at least I got the coat already. It's an awesome coat. Congrats to those of you who scored it for $100! As far as the Arced Ripples Pullover goes, I had tried it on at the store last weekend, so I was hoping there would be one left when I got there.

Arced Ripples Pullover - the one that got away

Silesia Maxi Skirt - purchased for $20

Vaterland Parka - purchased last week for $200

I got to the mall around 10am. Luckily, parking was a breeze. I was hoping this meant things wouldn't be so crazy in the store. I walked into the store and was handed a red ticket by a friendly SA. She told me to present the ticket at checkout to get the 50% off discount. As I made my way to the sale room, I noticed that the line for the cash register was wrapped around the inside of the store. Deep Breath...

Once in the sale room, I discovered the Arced Ripples Pullover was sold out. :-(  As I was browsing the items that were available, I accidentally brushed the top of some poor woman's head with my arm. I told her I was sorry, and, jokingly said, "It's war lady." We both laughed about it. I quickly grabbed a handful of things to try on before I hurt anyone else. The fitting room was surprisingly quiet. I guess everyone had already been to the fitting room or maybe they had staked out their items ahead of time and didn't need to try them on. Whatever the case, I peacefully tried on my items and came out with 3 of them: the Bronwen Dress, the Satellite Pullover, and the Trifecta Tee in orange. I took my place in the back of the line and waited patiently for a hour, while doing my best to ignore the blaring and obnoxious Christmas music playing overhead.
       
Bronwen Dress - purchased for $30!

Satellite Pullover - purchased for $20!

Trifecta Tee - purchased for $20!

So, all in all, not a bad experience. I really wish I could have gotten the Arced Ruffles Pullover. It is one of the rare wool sweaters I could tolerate. Oh well, maybe it will pop back up in the next few weeks. It sure would have been nice to get it for $30, though.

After my Anthro excursion, I decided to stop in Pottery Barn to see if they had my coveted Owl Christmas Tree Topper that's sold out online. They did not, but the SA printed out a list of stores that might have one. It was a short list of stores with most of them showing only 1 available, which the SA said usually meant 0 available. There was one store that was showing 2 available. I called and at first the lady on the phone told me that they didn't have it, but then she told me to hold on a minute. She came back and said that they did have one, but it was the one on display. I told her that I didn't care. I just wanted the owl. So, my beloved owl is on it's way to me from Texas. Yippee! I would definitely call my first Black Friday experience a victory!

Isn't he cute? He's mine...all mine...

CONVERSATION

18 comments:

  1. Glad you found some of your coveted items. Do you mind telling me how much the owl is and did you get it on sale? It's going for $100 on eBay!

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  2. Your owl is so cute! Also, I'm totally jealous that you got the Trifecta Tee. I put one in my cart last night before I went to bed, but by the time I got to my computer this morning, they were all sold out in my size :-(

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  3. Sounds like it was a good day, Bonnie!! :) That dress is gorgeous! Can't wait to see the styled pics of all your Black Friday purchases! The owl is adorable too. I can see why you wanted it! :)

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  4. Bonnie,
    I had fun reading your black Friday shopping experience. I am also not into Black Friday stuff. I, too, set my alarm at 4, hoping to be at Anthro before opening, or be the first ever to enter the store. Well, that didn't happen. I managed to get up at 6, and made it to the store right before 7. People were already coming out of the store while each person with more than one shopping bag full of goodies. I still got some clothes that I bought online during 25% promotion, Will have to return the online purchases, but not looking forward to do so. I had to wait for a dressing room for more than 30 minutes. The waiting line to cashier was more than 45 minutes for me. Other people went with group of friends. One of them got in line, while the others shopped. Then they all emerged, each with mountain pile of clothes, when they almost got the the register. There were many "groups" in front of me. Not very fun for solo shoppers. :( .

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  5. Oh, I hate that group stuff, but I have to say I would probably do the same thing if was with a group of people. I would like to say I wouldn't, but "this is war not a garden party." LOL! I had some of that group stuff going on in my line too and was pretty annoyed with it. One of the SA's had the Arced Ripples Pullover on. I asked her if there were anymore available. She said, "No, I bought the last one last night." Bitch! LOL! Just joking! ;-)

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  6. I had fun, Catherine. I can see why people get so caught up in it. I never understood it before because there is nothing I want at Walmart or Target that would warrant me "going to battle." However, when it came to my favorite store, I quickly fell in line with the masses.

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  7. Darn, Rebecca! I wish I had know that ahead of time. They had a couple left at my store. I would have been glad to purchase one for you had I known. Well, if I get tired of mine, I'll let you know. :-)

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  8. It was $50 with tax and shipping. It was not on sale. Regular price is $39. Yeah, I saw those jacked up price ones on Ebay. I didn't want the owl bad enough to pay double for it. I was glad I was able to track one down. I would be glad to share some of the phone numbers of stores that might have 1 left if you wanted to call around. Just email me if your interested.

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  9. Thanks for the info. As cute as the owl is, I'm going to pass. Perhaps they'll release a similar one next year.

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  10. Sounds like al in all it wasn't a bad first Black Friday experience. You scored some really great buys at Anthro. I think that owl alone was worth the getting out! It's so adorable!

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  11. Could I ask what size Vaterland you purchased? Just hoping I got myself the right size - we have a similar build. Thanks!!

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  12. Thank you, Bonnie! You're too sweet :-)

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  13. I saw the pullover back online today! Maybe you can still grab one

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  14. Really? Oh, wow! I'm going to have to stalk that sucker now! Thanks!

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  15. I sized up to a 10. I was going to order a size 8 online and decided to wait and see if I could find one in my store. I did, but the only size they had was a 10. As luck would have it, size 10 was a perfect fit. I needed it for my chest.

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  16. I know it's silly, but I'm so excited about my owl! LOL!

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  17. Hey Bonnie - though the 25/50% off is now over, I saw a ton of Arced Ripples Pullovers @ the Bridgeport Village location in Tigard, OR this afternoon, in case you like it enough to pay full sale price. Hope this helps!
    Oh, and now I'm obsessed with that little owl... and will have to try to get my hands on one!

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  18. Thanks for the info, Greta! I just might do that! Good luck with the owl quest!

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