11/25/2021
I have mixed feelings about Black Friday. Before you come at me, hear me out.
Black Friday is the Holy Grail of consumerism. American consumerism that has somehow infiltrated the rest of North America. Big companies put products on massive discount because their profit margins allow them to (possibly because their staff isn't paid a living wage, but that's another topic for another day). I think Black Friday is great for families that can't afford certain items/gifts so Black Friday gives them access to it. I think that's really beautiful. Perhaps even more beautiful would be to pay everyone a living wage, but I digress.
The problem I have is that in recent years ALL companies are expected to provide BLOWOUT PRICES. This means your mom + pop shop, your makers, or professionals that provide a service are expected to drop their prices significantly to be considered. This is an issue. These are real humans behind these products and services whose margins are already narrow. When they offer a discount, they're dipping into their already tight margins. Real humans are reducing their hourly rate just to be a participant in a corporate consumerism holiday. And while discounts are fun, these small businesses aren't Amazon or Walmart. They don't have astronomical profit margins for the rest of the year to make up what is lost from their wallet on Black Friday.
I ask you to consider this no matter who you're buying from this year (and to only buy what is needed). Consider that if you choose to support small and/or local businesses (thank you), a 20% off sale typically means a significant hit on their margin. So if your favorite maker, service-based entrepreneur, or small business doesn't participate in this over consumerized holiday, it's not that they don't appreciate you as a customer but rather they likely don't have wiggle room to reduce their own income. Let's all be conscious consumers and make the world a better place.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
