Black Friday is so named because it marks the time of the year when retail stores traditionally move from the red to the black. That is to say, they make all of their profits off consumers anxious to head out and fork over loads of money in exchange for perishable goods. Yes, perishable goods. And no, I’m not talking about food.
Typically, when one thinks of perishable items, they think of food. Realistically, consumers should come to view everything that they purchase as perishable. Companies today are not interested in making items that will last forever, or in most cases more than a few years. These items will decay, become inoperable and virtually worthless. For companies looking to turn a profit, this is a good strategy. After all, there is money to be made on selling warranties. On the other hand, just selling new merchandise is even better.
Today’s clothes don’t seem to last as long. Most electronics last only a couple of years. Is it ever a wonder that something just happens to break only days after the manufacturer’s warranty comes to an end? Or they are beyond meaningful repair at a reasonable cost after the extended warranty concludes?
This was not always the case. Previous generations saw goods made with the hope of lasting as long as possible. Cars were made with the hope of being the last a family may need. Today’s society is built with the very concept of single use, or disposability. Marketing is specifically targeted to entice consumers to replace old goods with new ones.
Consumerism played its part in the cause of the current recession. The unrestrained spending by consumers coupled with reliance on the credit system led to the fall of the banking system. In many ways this is the “Shopocalypse” that the Reverand Billy of the Church of Life After Shopping (http://www.revbilly.com) has spoken of. Millions of consumers in the United States alone will overspend over the last month of the year. The money spent is often used via the credit system, which is incredibly risky given the current financial climate.
Consumers need to utilize a greater deal of responsibility and restraint this holiday season. Make meaningful purchases of items not only of substance, but will also have sustainable life of decent use. More importantly, do not put yourself in dire financial straits making purchases. The best gifts do not always come with a big price tag.