I think the most memorable would be the stampedes in some stores. With so many people eager to get their hands on the discounted items, it was like a mad rush. People were falling over each other, and it was really dangerous.
The customer service during that time could also be part of the horror stories. Long wait times on the phone when trying to get help with a purchase or an issue. Some customer service representatives were not well - informed or helpful, leaving customers feeling frustrated and helpless especially when they had problems with their orders or with defective products.
The most memorable one for me was when a big-box store had a 'doorbuster' deal on a new game console. People started camping out days in advance. When the doors finally opened, it was chaos. People were climbing over each other, and some merchandise got damaged in the process. It was a total mess.
One of the most memorable incidents was the long queues outside electronics stores. People were camping out overnight to get the best deals on the latest smartphones and big - screen TVs. It was chaos but also a display of consumer determination.
One memorable crazy story is when a store's website crashed due to an overwhelming number of people trying to access the Black Friday deals online. People were refreshing the page constantly but couldn't get through. Another is that in a toy store, parents were literally climbing over shelves to get to the hottest toys for their kids. It was chaos. There was also a case where a customer accidentally grabbed the wrong item in the rush and didn't realize until they got home, but they decided to keep it anyway because it was a good deal.
There was a Black Friday at a furniture store. They had a huge discount on a very luxurious sofa set. A family of four had their eyes on it. But when they got to the store, there were at least ten other families also interested. They had to engage in a sort of 'negotiation' with the other customers, trying to convince them why they deserved the sofa more. In the end, the store manager had to step in and hold a mini - lottery to decide who would get the sofa. It was quite a spectacle.
The most common one is probably overcrowding. Stores get filled with so many people that it becomes a chaotic mess. People can't move around easily, and it often leads to arguments and even fights over items.
I know of a situation where a group of shoppers lined up outside a store hours before it opened on Black Friday. But when the doors finally opened, the security measures failed. Thieves took advantage of the chaos and stole from people's bags and pockets while everyone was focused on getting inside the store. It was a nightmare for those who had their belongings stolen and a really bad start to their Black Friday shopping.
One horror story could be the overcrowded stores. People were pushing and shoving to get to the best deals. There were long lines everywhere, and some stores ran out of popular items quickly, leaving customers frustrated.
One crazy story is about the long queues. People start lining up days in advance outside stores. They bring tents, sleeping bags, and even heaters. It's like a mini camping trip just to be the first to grab the best deals on Black Friday.
There was a Black Friday where a small local store had a special deal on handmade jewelry. A woman had been eyeing a particular necklace for months. When she got to the store on Black Friday, there was only one left. Another customer also wanted it. But instead of fighting over it, they decided to split the cost and share the necklace, taking turns wearing it for different occasions. It was a really heartwarming story in the midst of the Black Friday chaos.
The chaos is a big factor. The sheer number of people in a small space, all desperate for a deal. It creates a sense of panic. Like when a store has limited stock and everyone is trying to grab it.