Dying to buy Christmas gifts
p2pnet news view | Off Topic:- It’s almost Christmas everywhere, including in the US of A.
And there, looking for bargains in these days of economic crisis where every dime counts, ‘consumers’ are dying to get their Christmas presents.
Literally.
Wal-Mart Worker Dies in Stampede at New York Store, says Bloomberg News.
Gunfire Erupts in Toys ‘R’ Us, 2 Dead, says KTLA News.
2,000 had become a rabble
In the Wal-Mart tragedy, shoppers , had queued all night outside the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, New York.
By 4:55, “the crowd of more than 2,000 had become a rabble, and could be held back no longer,” says the Associated Press, going on:
“Fists banged and shoulders pressed on the sliding-glass double doors, which bowed in with the weight of the assault. Six to 10 workers inside tried to push back, but it was hopeless.
“Suddenly, witnesses and the police said, the doors shattered, and the shrieking mob surged through in a blind rush for holiday bargains. One worker, Jdimytai Damour, 34, was thrown back onto the black linoleum tiles and trampled in the stampede that streamed over and around him. Others who had stood alongside Damour trying to hold the doors were also hurled back and run over, witnesses said.”
Damour, a temporary worker hired for the sale, died.
Six or seven shots
In California, Shopping Rage has come into its own.
People inside a Toys R Us store in Palm Desert had to, “scramble for cover,” says the Los Angeles Times, continuing:
“Palm Desert Councilman Bob Spiegel told The Times that based on early reports, two rival groups shopping at the store had some kind of argument and then shots were fired. Two men were killed in the exchange of gunfire, he said.
“Sara Frahm, 25, of La Quinta was shopping for electronic toys at the time of the shooting. She told The Times she heard two women fighting and swearing in an aisle next to her. She said employees went to break up the fight and that all of the sudden a number of people yelled, ‘He has a gun!’ She said she heard six or seven shots.
“Mike Stitt of Yucca Valley was shopping with his wife and two children when he saw two women fighting and calling each other names. Both were with men. One of the men pulled out a gun and shot it in the air, then shot the other man in the back, Stitt told The Times.”
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Associated Press – , November 29, 2008
Los Angeles Times – Shots fired at Toys R Us in Palm Desert; 2 dead, November 28, 2008
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November 29th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I can speak for one American, myself. I hate the commercialization of Christmas. I won’t go in a store during what I have traditionally called the silly season. Now I may have to look at renaming it the deadly season.
It’s not just the chains like Wallyworld. The streets of towns are filled with these same no thought individuals, making it just as dangerous on the roads as what it appears to be in the stores. I just don’t care for the crowds. I don’t care for the idiots that seem to populate these stores during this time. Yet the very same people a month later are entirely different in their attitudes.
I’ve already purchased what I will, including food so I don’t have to be in those stores for the next month for anything. I do not relish the idea of 30 checkout counters, with 10 clerks working them and long, long, lines trying to get through. It’s just not my idea of a good or productive time.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:21 am
@ First Post. Amen, my Christmas list this year:
Socks and Underwear & a list of my favorite charities.
November 30th, 2008 at 10:01 am
What are you thinking, you guys?
Where’s your sense of patriotism?
Shame on you. SHAME!
Cheers!
November 30th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I too dislike the commercialization. I figured that these would happen eventually.
Also, my sense of patriotism is high, it’s my sense of nationalism that is nil. (Sarcasm replied to in non-sarcastic way)
Cheers
November 30th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
These incidents are also a shining example of why the Corporate Agenda succeeds as much as it does.
The “General Mentality” is nothing better than a “herd mentality”, that focuses only on themsleves, and only on the moment, created by some perceived “crucial opportunity”.
Thanks to this mass idiocy, we now have actual, “door-crasher sales”.
At least, when Spain holds its “Running of the Bulls” ceremony, the people have the knowledge of what’s going on, and the heads-up to get out of the way.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
this is NUTZ!
This is the level of how far corporations have taken their control and regular people are just cattle. No wonder in business law they call us chattel. It’s a very sad state that shoppers have been reduced to such stupid caveman tactics.
Don’t take it out on their employees, take it out on their MANAGEMENT and CEO’s.
I carry a bill book and camera with me and if i see a long lineup and cash registers empty i loudly ask for manager [at walmart there's usually one skulking around anyway]. And i tell the piss-ant that he/she either open more checkouts immediately or they getting billed at $600 per hour for wasting my time [nice even number for calculating minutes], they usually do or i walk out door with what i have for free. You gave them a choice, that’s all you need to do.
If not, I call them lazy (*#%$) and bill them the estimated amount right away. I also catch them on camera with the conditions that it will be posted on Youtube if they don’t get off their ass and remedy the situation.
IT WORKS, they jump all of a sudden.
To date I’ve had nothing but loud cheers, compliments and praise from fellow shoppers.
Yes, i do wipe the tape/pics if they comply, so i don’t have any to post. Bummer
NOTE: do all this legally so security they can’t ask you to leave. It works best with 2 people, one holding camera and other dealing with piss-ant manager.
It’s the same for big businesses not accepting 50$ and $100 bills. I tie up checkout till manager comes and solves the situation. I refuse to take it to the side or somewhere else. Legally I started making a deal with the exact checkout person and manager. If still not, I either walk [warning them first] with product or complain to head office. Usually the next time they don’t bother to give any hassles and everything goes smoother.
Stand up and teach the corporation to your standards! They must comply since they are providing a service.
Enjoy
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
freeman, nobody believes that bull. Get a grip. Bet you get tossed out by security if you ever try that.