Good Guys Don't Black Friday

The owner of Varusteleka has an opinion about Black Friday. That opinion is not positive.

Tässä suomea kuuntelevalle kansalle:

[segrientboar]

Spot on mate, excellent message.
It is exactly the same here in Australia. About five years ago people here started celebrating Halloween for no reason at all and wasting big money on it. Halloween has never been something here. I don't have a problem with it, it was always a relatively harmless fun-looking thing Americans, and only Americans did on TV. Australians never had anything to do with it.
My kids' youth group unfortunately have a Halloween event. I just tell them that we are going to a costume party, and we make our own costumes from things we already have. We don't waste money on it.

Today, my email inbox is flooded with emails from sellers all over the world, including lots of Australian ones, offering Black Friday discounts.
It saddens me to see that this sickness has infected Finland also.
Mark my words, the day will come when Finns, Aussies and everybody else in between us will all be told we have no unique culture.

[MrMoustaffa]

Funny, your guys site was going to be one of the first I checked for discounts. Lots of respect for that though, that takes a lot of guts to say "no we're not doing black Friday" in the business.

[ANonymous-bhun]

I'm an American who has lived through enough decades that people get uncomfortable when I talk about my age...and I have never, ever, not once in my life shopped on a Black Friday. Furthermore, none of the women in my family - including my sisters, because they were raised the same way - are willing to go out into the insanity that is Black Friday.

So the world isn't a total loss...

[tuomopoika]

Finnish proverb: "köyhän ei kannata halpaa ostaa"

[jiffywartbustle]

Another, excellent, reason why I shop so often at Varusteleka. You guys rock the casbah.

[VKNGofDOOM]

100% Agree. Here in Norway most shops have also started with this black friday bullshit...

[littlebull]

Unfortunately the sheep will continue eating the bad grass and not see past the word DISCOUNTED!!!!
I agree wholeheartedly with what you have just explained though because it's 100 % accurate.

[stevewood]

That was the perfect outfit for a serious conversation.

[WyrdWoodsIreland]

Honest and insightful view on the true cost of black Friday, you have given us much food for thought, I hope some people will heed your words. Kiitos paljon.

[CrowSociety]

Always appreciate the candor.

One of the big reasons I go to you guys for just about anything I need outdoors-wise, or things I like to try.

Knowing that Varusteleka keeps true to honest business through fair practices and quality product always keeps me coming back, even if it means to buy something that costs a little extra with shipping as long as it comes from you. People don't quite realize the power of their own consumerism, especially in aggregate. The consumer can choose the businesses they would like to succeed or fail through the exchange of their capital, and as long as people choose to participate in superficial, manipulative practices, such practices will continue.

Spot on with the assessment on "Commercialized Holidays", hoping y'all do well this season.

[quantum]

Black Friday is just stupid! I had a Varusteleka Friday! Bought a bunch of clothes from you. Stuff that I've been looking at for a while (except for a Austrian field jacket "ECWCS" that I just found and couldn't resist). You have very reasonable prices, the surplus stuff is often extremely inexpensive! :)

[mollymcallister]

A lot of major retailer chains here in the US, particularly in clothing, have huge mark-ups on their list prices but then they constantly have sales where those prices are marked down to something reasonable. One particular chain came under new managment and they decided 'to heck with this, the price will be the price, no more sales'. And they almost went bankrupt as a result.

Humans are very easy to manipulate, to the point where they can often resent the removal of that manipulation. Seeing something on the shelf for $10.00 and it's always been and always will be $10.00 doesn't tickle the dopamine drip like seeing something like, "Was $21.99 now $9.99 This Week Only!"

[derekstynes]

I have just had a Delivery of two knives from this Company and I cannot Believe the quality of the both of them ! Seriously I wish I had found out about them Many knives ago as it would have saved me from ''Buying a load of crap '' and also the packing and Delivery was first Class ! They are on my desk right now and I am itching to get out to Play with them, Oh please make sure the leather knife sheath for the larger knife are ready soon as He is cold and He cannot fit into the smaller one's Home ! Well it is smug Friday here in my home !

[Matt_The_Hugenot]

Well said. Artificial sales don't help consumers get bargains or retailers clear old stock.

[thomasmusso]

WELL SAID 👍👍👍.
I like your no BS philosophy. That's why I have bought from you in the past and will continue to do so.

[augustus]

Much respect to you. Varusteleka is the best

[AshleyBlackwater]

Never realised you guys partly subsidised the shipping, I always assumed you just got a super good deal on shipping or something :o

[AmbientHermitage]

A big thumbs up for you. Really love your store and philosophy!👍

[rustyshackleford]

Black Friday is a nightmare for Americans aswell. Lots of us don't go out. I work on an ambulance, more calls happen that weekend then Thanksgiving weekend locally because tons of folks are out shopping. lots too unhealthy to do so normally. Then there's the act of actually 'shopping'. It's lines all the way through the stores if you get up early enough to get the big ticket items. Nightmare.

[DryeLint]

Just because of this video I'm going to buy one of your knives today. Good stuff.