Brace yourselves, Pandas—Black Friday is upon us! Traditionally, the Friday after Thanksgiving marks the start of the Christmas shopping season in the United States, as well as in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, this period brings out some of the worst traits in people: greed, aggression, and envy.
Our team at Bored Panda has compiled a list of photos featuring some of the most epic Black Friday fails ever. From stores ransacked by customers hunting for the biggest sales to companies trying to pull the wool over crazed shoppers’ eyes, there’s a bit of everything. Scroll down for a taste of what discounts can do to someone if they’re not careful.
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A Black Friday "Bargain"
My Local Macy's Store After Black Friday Sale
Where do you even start to clean that up? I think I would just quit my job.
People commenting that the youth are so lazy about cleaning that s**t up... perhaps if people didn't behave like animals and create that mess because they don't have to clean it up, there would be less complaints. But USA pretends to be grateful for all they have on Thursday then become a pack of rabid beasts the next day leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, including physical fights and people literally stealing stuff out of the hands of kids. Have a f*****g word with yourself before you say youth are lazy.
Like that in our store, not quite as bad, but close most days. Basically, 99% of customers are arseholes.
You never saw what my dog did after she found a roll of paper towels.
Load More Replies...Primark every Saturday... I don't even try to buy women's clothes there anymore, you'd never find anything in all that mess, and half the stuff is dirty from being flung on the floor.
I have never understood the sense of Black Friday. The “deals” are all artificial. You could buy the items at a regular sale for the same, or even less. Nowadays you can find them online without having to deal with the nasty crowds—and they DO get nasty. Give me Cyber Monday anytime. Besides, I long ago started doing my Christmas shopping early, after shopping late and fighting crowds in the mall when I was in my mid-twenties (so mid-eighties). I discovered catalog shopping, which trained me to start early, because it was all done by mail and you had to factor in time to return something for an exchange. Additionally, if I saw something in a store that I know someone on my list would like I’d buy it, even if it was only September. Of course, there is a bit of nail biting to that, since the person you’re buying it for could buy it for themself, for someone else could buy it and give it to them first, and totally submarine you. Then again, you can always put it on eBay or Etsy and recoup at least a part of your costs. Regardless, I like not having to scramble at the last minute to find gifts for everyone on my list. Makes Christmas way less hectic, so I can actually relax and enjoy it.
Retail stores with a bunch of tables of folded clothes should require managers to stand there and keep everything folded during sales like this. Even those of us who want to keep things looking neat can never get them perfectly put back because the clothes are folded with those boards that make creases straight and everything the same size!
Having worked retail... this is a nightmare and certainly does not have to happen...people are pigs
They aren't paid to clean up after you at least put it back where you got it.
It's pictures like this which makes me soooooo " proud " to be human....
I used to manage a women's clothing store in a mall. Before I quit (quit retail altogether) I made sure to take a picture of my store on black Friday to remind myself why I'll never go back!
When I worked at Walmart, I used to work in the apparel section. People would leave it a mess like this in on black Fridays. I would just scoop it all up and put it in one cart. Then I would separate everything and then put it up. That is the only way to deal with it. People can be aholes because they know, someone will clean it up.
Black Friday "sales" needs to stop. It just brings more inconsiderate people to the stores and adds a lot of work for store employees. Imagine cleaning that mess.
Ugh. I just had a horrible flashback to my retail days. It teaches you a lot about how much people suck.
Personally, if I owned the store, I would be locking the doors and telling the offenders to clean up the mess they made. I'm not making my workers do all that.
My Friend Saw A Baby Being Born At A Walmart On Black Friday
The National Retail Federation reports that 196.7 million Americans shopped in stores and online during the five-day holiday in 2022, from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday.
That’s more than the jaw-dropping 179.8 million shoppers in 2021, 186.4 million in 2020, and 189.6 million in 2019.
When You're At The Hospital And It Dawns On You That Today Is Black Friday
People Who Do This
Black Friday At Walmart
The line decided to cross the street, blocking traffic. It extended down the parking lane rather than turning down the sidewalk like normal human beings.
Broadly speaking, Black Friday tends to be (one of) the busiest shopping days of the year in the US… as well as in some other parts of the world. However, you’d be wrong to think that Black Friday begins and ends on… well, Black Friday.
The shopping ‘holiday’ has a tendency to ‘bleed’ into the surrounding weeks… and even months (yes! Months!).
This Epic Black Friday Deal
What A Great Black Friday Deal
At least put the new price over the old one...they're not even trying.
I Captured The Essense Of Black Friday In One Picture
Just curious. They do not offer free deliveries over there in the US? Here, anything that does not fit inside a car usually comes with free delivery so long the distance is less than 50km radius from the store.
For instance, the Monday right after Black Friday is known as Cyber Monday. Retailers and companies continue to sell products and services at a discount. Some of them go further, celebrating Cyber Week.
Others, however, go even beyond that.
My Partner Ordered Our First Ever "Big Purchase" On The Black Friday Sale. Apparently, The Delivery Guy Dropped It Down The Stairs And Ran
I Finally Bought Myself A Security Camera On Black Friday From Target After Dealing With A Psycho. However, I Got Rice Instead
This Ad
Ah,good old capitalism. Never letting important social issues get in the way of making a few quid.
CNN reports that in 2023, retailers “threw out the playbook,” rolling out deals in a similar vein as Black Friday weeks in advance. What this means is that this year, the impact of Black Friday itself might be lessened.
After all, if you’ve already hunted down the best deals of the season in advance, you might not want or need anything else. If you bought a new laptop/TV/console, you don’t need a second one.
Here In Brasil There's No Black Friday But Only Scam
Black Friday At A Walmart In Alabama. So Many People Waiting To Just Get In
FedEx "Efficiency". I Live In Oregon And Ordered This Package On Black Friday
According to Parija Kavilanz from CNN, the November and December months account for around a fifth of retailers’ sales for the entire year. This means that the gift-buying season is incredibly important for companies’ sales and profits.
Retailers who fail to take advantage of the seasonal rush might find that they’re far behind their competitors.
Black Friday Fail. People Are Fighting Over Products
What A Steal
This Chair I Was Going To Buy Was £169.99 A Few Hours Before Amazon's Black Friday "Sale" Started
Marshal Cohen, the chief retail industry analyst with market research firm Circana, told CNN that Black Friday is now more akin to ‘Grey Friday.’ “The dilution of the power of Black Friday has begun again this year. Gone is the sense of urgency and excitement. But the quest for value is still there,” the specialist explained.
As the shopping ‘holiday’ spreads out over a longer period of time, what this means, in practical terms, is that there’s less urgency for shoppers to rush to their local retail stores. Though you’ll still find people camping and queuing up before opening time and fighting over goods, this year, all of this might be slightly muted (well, comparatively). There’s slightly less competition.
Deals Like This
Costco sales are unbeatable right now. They're next to the tires, in case you were wondering.
Black Friday Sales Are Fire This Year
The Laptop I Bought Online On Black Friday
What’s also changed the dynamic of Black Friday is the continued growth of online shopping. This makes deals incredibly accessible to anyone with a smartphone, a computer, and an internet connection.
When you’re offered awesome deals with (hopefully, insured) delivery straight to your door, why would you want to risk being crushed by several hundred other shoppers at a physical store? Convenience is a huge factor here.
Black Friday, The One Day Saving 30 Bucks Is More Important Than Your Baby's Well Being
I mean…..from the perspective of a mother, stuff like this happens. It’s either this, don’t buy it, attempt to push a stroller and a cart at the same time, or ask someone to go with you. I’ve done the stroller w/cart method because of judgements from others like those shown here. BTW, those judging never offered to help me. Babywearing isn’t an option for some of us and we still have s**t to do while caring for our children alone. The baby looks safe in the carrier made to withstand the impact of a car accident and Mom is standing right infront of them. I’m more concerned about that box hitting mom in the face, or go crashing to the ground. Sometimes saving money on gifts, groceries, clothing, formula, or any other item commonly purchased by parents ends up looking like this. If the photographer cared at all about the safety of the baby, they would offer to carry the box on top. Instead, they’ve chosen to shame someone and blast the picture on the internet.
My Friend Ordered Two Fitbits During The Amazon Black Friday Sale, But Got Paper Plates Instead
Just curious - is there any laws that obligate suppliers to deliver promised products to a buyer, or can they simply deny to give any compensation or just anything in general in situations like this? There should be, I think there are, but I'm no expert in that
When You Go Shopping On Black Friday But Forget Your Child's Stroller
CNN notes that some retailers may be worried about rising prices, higher interest and mortgage rates, and Americans having to restart repaying their student loans which were frozen for many during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This means that some companies respond by turning Black Friday into a massively long event, hoping to draw in more customers.
Target Has These Up All Over Their Electronics Section. Guess Which Games Are Specifically Excluded From The Offer
I'm not a gamer, but I'm guessing it's the ones people actually want that are excluded?
Black Friday Scam
Such A Great Deal. Amazon vs. Manufacturer's Retail Price
I've been waiting to buy this on Amazon, assuming there would be some sort of Black Friday discount. But no, the price stayed at $150, but they added a crossed-out price, which is even higher than the actual manufacturer's suggested retail price.
The upside for shoppers is that they get access to better deals for longer and have to compete less with others. The downside is elementary fatigue: if it’s always sale season, then it doesn’t matter much.
In the meantime, BBC Worklife notes that Black Friday has become shorthand for any deep-discount shopping event, whether it happens in October or… July!
These Dudes Are Trying To Put Two 65" TVs On The Top Of Their Honda Civic. Just Unreal
Be On The Lookout For The Best Black Friday Deals
My Friend Ordered Two Elgato Game Capture Cards At $180 On Black Friday, And Amazon Sent Him Two Empty Boxes
Most common cause for this is actually Amazon's return policy - or the human tendency to use it for scams. People order the game, demand a refund, send back the empty case as a product, looking unopeened, and some underpaid workers restock them without opening. When a later customer orders, they are sent out again.
“Black Friday really is a huge deal. But Black Friday is no longer a single-day event,” David Bussak, managing director at the global business advisory firm AlixPartners, told the BBC's Brennan Doherty.
For some deliciously accurate and funny Black Friday memes, check out Bored Panda's previous article when you've enjoyed this list to the fullest.
They Told Me They Are Waiting For Black Friday. What Do They Need That Bad? I'm Sure They Could Get It Online
The Majority Of Stores At "Toronto Premium Outlet" Have Put Stickers Over Cheaper Prices Or Have Changed Tags For The Black Friday Weekend
The New TV I Bought For Black Friday From Walmart
Black Friday Parking. This Guy Parks On The Plant Bed In Between The Handicap Parking
Sadly enough, I have to give him credit for not taking the handicapped spaces.
This Sums Up Black Friday
This Occurred On Black Friday At A Local Shopping Mall In Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Apparently Someone Got A Little Too Excited And Lost Their Underwear In The Bathroom On Black Friday
It's those pant wettingly exciting specials. They prove too much for some people.
My Coworker Went A Little Crazy On HDMI Cables This Black Friday
Target's Black Friday Sale
This Black Friday Sale Tactic
Black Friday Deals On GPUs
A Casualty Of Black Friday
Hopefully they were locked in some way, or at least the find mode was activated.
My Awesome Cousins Bought Me A Nice Big 55" TV Last Night, As A Thank You And As A "We Will Be Spending Lots More Time At Your House" Gift
Two minutes in, the picture goes out. Get it outta here kids. Try again.
This Shopping Cart Traffic During Black Friday. People Are Going Crazy
Black Friday Be Like
Someone Was Way Too Excited For Black Friday Deals
Human Decency Is Gone During Black Friday
To everyone out there, please remember human decency this Black Friday. Just take a min to put stuff back please
I Spent 30€ On This Thing
Thank Goodness For Black Friday Deals
Black Friday In Portugal
First picture shows €719.99 instead of €899.99. There is a possibility that the second picture is something like €599.97 instead of €649.99 or something. It is possible that the picture was cut or not taken properly. EDIT: Especially that the description shows 4GB RAM, 64GB memory and features like dual sim. It just does not seem like a store would raise the price from 50 to 600 for an item.
Whatever country you are in, fellow Pandas ,please ignore the Black Friday hype and save your money. It's just a scam.
Sure is! The Dutch are discussing banning Black Friday.
Load More Replies...I work retail and I'm working today : ( People are animals. That's all I have to say.
@LizAnn...I'll apologize for all the nuts out there in the USA. I used to be a retail worker and I feel your pain.
Load More Replies...When using Amazon, especially during Black Friday, it's a good idea to visit camelcamelcamel dot com first. Select your country, then either search for the item or paste the URL for the page you're looking at in the search engine and it'll display a graph showing the timeline and price changes since that item first appeared on Amazon. Can easily tell if the deal is what it says it is.
Shame Haemorrhoid treatment isn't on offer as people will need it having been well and truly f****d in the a*s by so called sales and deals.
Even if I could get things cheaper... It's not worth going through all that
Looking at the pictures! Absolutely not! But..nothing wrong with doing that online
Load More Replies...this is just vulgar consumerism... this type of consumerism is what is destroying our planet. stop the disgust, save your children's future.
A new law in Europe requires that if a product is marked as reduced price, the median price for the last 30 days must be on show. This lead to a situation where prices are raised just for the 30 day period to then make up the "sale" price. Who would have known? 🤷♀️
That's been going on in Britain for years.
Load More Replies...It's such a gamble to buy any expensive electronic goods during Black Friday/Cyber Monday online. Porch pirate season is upon us!
To me that is such a strange concept, that delivery guys would just leave packages in front of the house. That doesn't happen here in Germany. Either the package is handed to a recipient, or the driver won't deliver it.
Load More Replies...The hiking up the price so you can mark it as a sale is so common. Just pay what you're willing to pay when you can. You'll probably get a better deal. Most sales are scams. Khols is the worst. If you buy anything real price you are getting ripped off. The actual price is the sale price. You didn't save 60%. That's the actual price. The rest of the time it's just jacked up.
This is why I stay home the day after Thanksgiving. A lot of my stuff is already paid for or on order; I don't feel the need to fight crazy people at the mall or Walmart, just to save $2.
Today is the day to be lazy stay home and do nothing and avoid the crowds
I do my Black Friday shopping online... at my standard shops for these reasons and check prices before.
I'm grateful that Black Friday isn't that insane in Australia. Or maybe it is, I didn't go to the shops this time since I was busy with something else. But I would still wait for New Year's sales.
I went to a store on black Friday once. Never went shopping for that entire week again. Don't need the hassle or the fake discounts.
did black friday shopping only once & never again. was in a wheelchair at the time so i wasn't concerned about being knocked over. however, i did not anticipate someone wheeling me into the center of a roundabout of clothes & getting stuck there. finally managed to get my arm out in the center to wave for help. thankfully some kind people helped me out.
"It's a Sale so I'm gonna spend 60$ instead of 100$ on a thing I don't need" That's not a way to save money.
ok so im european and black friday isn't really a thing here. a lot of brands promote it as "the new american holiday omg omg" and a lot of ppl don't care! i've heard stories abt black friday in america and they were WILD. i was pretty sure everyone was exaggerating but after looking at those pictures... im scared of americans
In Australia "black Friday" was a particularly bad bushfire season in which many people were killed. We don't like the term. Perhaps in America it's a reference to Robinson Crusoe?
Whatever country you are in, fellow Pandas ,please ignore the Black Friday hype and save your money. It's just a scam.
Sure is! The Dutch are discussing banning Black Friday.
Load More Replies...I work retail and I'm working today : ( People are animals. That's all I have to say.
@LizAnn...I'll apologize for all the nuts out there in the USA. I used to be a retail worker and I feel your pain.
Load More Replies...When using Amazon, especially during Black Friday, it's a good idea to visit camelcamelcamel dot com first. Select your country, then either search for the item or paste the URL for the page you're looking at in the search engine and it'll display a graph showing the timeline and price changes since that item first appeared on Amazon. Can easily tell if the deal is what it says it is.
Shame Haemorrhoid treatment isn't on offer as people will need it having been well and truly f****d in the a*s by so called sales and deals.
Even if I could get things cheaper... It's not worth going through all that
Looking at the pictures! Absolutely not! But..nothing wrong with doing that online
Load More Replies...this is just vulgar consumerism... this type of consumerism is what is destroying our planet. stop the disgust, save your children's future.
A new law in Europe requires that if a product is marked as reduced price, the median price for the last 30 days must be on show. This lead to a situation where prices are raised just for the 30 day period to then make up the "sale" price. Who would have known? 🤷♀️
That's been going on in Britain for years.
Load More Replies...It's such a gamble to buy any expensive electronic goods during Black Friday/Cyber Monday online. Porch pirate season is upon us!
To me that is such a strange concept, that delivery guys would just leave packages in front of the house. That doesn't happen here in Germany. Either the package is handed to a recipient, or the driver won't deliver it.
Load More Replies...The hiking up the price so you can mark it as a sale is so common. Just pay what you're willing to pay when you can. You'll probably get a better deal. Most sales are scams. Khols is the worst. If you buy anything real price you are getting ripped off. The actual price is the sale price. You didn't save 60%. That's the actual price. The rest of the time it's just jacked up.
This is why I stay home the day after Thanksgiving. A lot of my stuff is already paid for or on order; I don't feel the need to fight crazy people at the mall or Walmart, just to save $2.
Today is the day to be lazy stay home and do nothing and avoid the crowds
I do my Black Friday shopping online... at my standard shops for these reasons and check prices before.
I'm grateful that Black Friday isn't that insane in Australia. Or maybe it is, I didn't go to the shops this time since I was busy with something else. But I would still wait for New Year's sales.
I went to a store on black Friday once. Never went shopping for that entire week again. Don't need the hassle or the fake discounts.
did black friday shopping only once & never again. was in a wheelchair at the time so i wasn't concerned about being knocked over. however, i did not anticipate someone wheeling me into the center of a roundabout of clothes & getting stuck there. finally managed to get my arm out in the center to wave for help. thankfully some kind people helped me out.
"It's a Sale so I'm gonna spend 60$ instead of 100$ on a thing I don't need" That's not a way to save money.
ok so im european and black friday isn't really a thing here. a lot of brands promote it as "the new american holiday omg omg" and a lot of ppl don't care! i've heard stories abt black friday in america and they were WILD. i was pretty sure everyone was exaggerating but after looking at those pictures... im scared of americans
In Australia "black Friday" was a particularly bad bushfire season in which many people were killed. We don't like the term. Perhaps in America it's a reference to Robinson Crusoe?