Is Black Friday chaos worth the savings? - KOTA Territory News

Is Black Friday chaos worth the savings?

Black Friday can bring out the bargain beast in the best of us.

Up to 150 million shoppers, like Rachel Decory of Rapid City, will fight crowds to kick-off the holiday shopping season.
 
"I shop and see what's a good deal and I'm always pretty happy at Christmas," said Decory, a self proclaimed "bargain shopper".
 
While the purchases made on Black Friday account for 5 percent of all holiday shopping, the prices may not be as low as you expect.

"I hit a lot of the JCPenny sales when they're 80 percent off and things are $8-$10, but today they're like $27, $36, you have to be an aware shopper and look at the prices," said Decory.
 
Studies show its actually cheaper to wait to buy items like HDTV's, winter clothing and toys until after the holiday season.
 
"I start [buying gifts] after Black Friday, but it gets cheaper week after week after week until Christmas," said Decory.

"The only differences is you get all these deals all at once, you don't have to wait and buy one thing at a time, you can finish all your shopping in one day," said Ashley Cusser, an enthusiastic Black Friday shopper.
 
For many, Black Friday has become a source of entertainment, which may or may not lighten their wallet
 
"We went out at midnight, and went to bed for a few hours and came back at 8am," said Cusser.
 
"We watch people, find sales even though we're not looking. We love shopping," said Nancy Praseck, who was shopping with her daughter and grandson.

And if your thirst for discounted goods is not filled this weekend, try your luck online, during Cyber Monday. Last year, consumers spent more than one billion dollars on the Monday after Thanksgiving.