In addition to unique experiences with animal care, working at Petco was my first opportunity to enjoy Black Friday from the inside. When I bought my television a couple years ago, my first thought was that I wish I could have experienced it from an employee's point of view, so I got my chance. And, honestly, Petco was a poor comparison to department stores like Target and especially Wal-Mart, but based on what we went through, it was good enough to satisfy my interest in the other side.
While stores like Wal-Mart and Target have been staying open 24 hours for Thanksgiving, or opening at midnight, the most inconvenient Petco got was opening an hour earlier. This would have been a non-issue, except I was working as a pet-sitter over Thanksgiving in Mesa, so I had to get up around 5:30AM in order to feed the dogs and get to work on time. Fortunately, I was able to get to sleep at a reasonable hour (well, relatively reasonable) so, while I doubt I could explain how, I did make it there before my shift started.
Now, if you have ever gotten up early on Black Friday and raced out to buy discounted pet food, which would be discounted all weekend, then you are in the vast minority of consumers. Additionally, you would have plenty of space to shop. Aside from the Black Friday shoppers with a casual approach, I'm not sure anyone came into the store before its regular opening time at 9AM.
This experience was lacking the exact "Black Friday" flavor, but business picked up before the end of my shift. I guess I was lucky, since by the time things got bad, I only had an hour left. To its credit, it was busy after the time I got back from lunch until my shift ended.
It wasn't unbearable, but it was enough for the experience. Much like my shopping experience two years ago.
Now, if you have ever gotten up early on Black Friday and raced out to buy discounted pet food, which would be discounted all weekend, then you are in the vast minority of consumers. Additionally, you would have plenty of space to shop. Aside from the Black Friday shoppers with a casual approach, I'm not sure anyone came into the store before its regular opening time at 9AM.
This experience was lacking the exact "Black Friday" flavor, but business picked up before the end of my shift. I guess I was lucky, since by the time things got bad, I only had an hour left. To its credit, it was busy after the time I got back from lunch until my shift ended.
It wasn't unbearable, but it was enough for the experience. Much like my shopping experience two years ago.
