Black Friday 2011 Deals: Toys 'R' Us Opens 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day; Free Shipping and 10% Back
Toys "R" Us has joined the list of stores that will be open on Thanksgiving, allowing shoppers to hit the toy chain at 9 p.m. Thursday.
Toys "R" Us is offering a string of deals, including a $50 gift card, with the purchase of an iPod Touch, a Coby 32-inch HD widescreen television for $229.99, and Xbox 360 GB with Kinect for $199.99.
Other deals include free shipping on everything, no minimum purchase, plus the opportunity to earn 10 percent back. However some exclusions do apply.
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Target, Macy's, Kohl's, and Best Buy have joined Toys "R" Us in a Thanksgiving Day opening, with a midnight start Thursday. And Walmart is welcoming shoppers earlier, with doors slated to open at 10 p.m.
Stores opening on Thanksgiving say the early start time helps customers who would rather stay up late to shop and avoid having to wake up at 3 or 4 a.m.
Judy Hobbs Greenfield wrote on Facebook, "Yes Black Friday will start even earlier than ever!"
However, the Thanksgiving shopping day has garnered criticism from many.
Pastor David Wright, CEO of DOersTV, told The Christian Post in a previous interview that people, not the stores, are going too far – "especially Christians."
"Black Friday should be called 'Debt' Friday," Wright stated. "Stores are in business and businesses exist to make a profit."
"As Christian consumers we must control the stores and not let the stores and the spirit of this world control us," he added.
CP spoke with an Old Navy employee, who worked both the Thanksgiving and Black Friday shift last year.
"I thought nobody was going to be there on Thanksgiving, but there was a huge line," she stated. "At one point the maximum capacity of the store was reached and the doors had to be closed."
According to the employee, who did not want to be named, Old Navy met or beat its sales goal and that is why the store will be opening again this Thanksgiving.
"From a business stand point I understand, but from a personal standpoint Thanksgiving should be a time to reflect on what you're thankful for and to be with your family," she said.
However, she added, "For people who are really penny-pinching it works."
Regardless of some stores pushing the envelope, places like Sears and Nordstrom will not open on Thanksgiving Day.
"We won't be decking our halls until Friday, November 25. Why? Well, we just like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving," read signs displayed in Nordstrom stores.
