Did you shop on Black Friday?

REDLANDS, Nov 30, 2008 (Redlands Daily Facts - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- WMT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- For many, Black Friday is practically a holiday in and of itself.

The traditional post-Thanksgiving start of the holiday shopping season provides shoppers with many sales, deals and bargains that have some people willing to wake up at 2 a.m. in order to be first in line at stores that open as early at 4 a.m.

But while the tradition of Black Friday centers around holiday shopping and bargain hunting, there have been incidents of violence.

A Wal-Mart employee in a suburban Long Island store was trampled to death Friday after a crowd of shoppers burst through the doors and knocked him down.

In Palm Desert, two men shot each other to death in a Toys R Us store.

Although the shooting in Palm Desert is being reported as having nothing to do with a shopping-related disagreement, there are stories of shouting, shoving and even fighting between shoppers over a specific item.

With the economy in a downturn and many people finding themselves struggling to get by, some experts warned that this Black Friday might see more incidents due people already on edge over their financial situation.

Still, crowds of consumers woke up while it was still dark outside and braved the crisp November air in order to be one of the first in line.

The Redlands Daily Facts went out and talked to people in Redlands about what they think of Black Friday. Do they participate

in the holiday shopping ritual? And what do they think of some of the violence that took place?

Monica Gardner, 18, Highland

"I did not go out to shop. It's too crowded and there's people pushing you around and stuff and I just don't like that. I'm more of a mellow shopper. I haven't been out on Black Friday but I've heard people talk about waiting in line for two hours to buy something or you had to fight and shove for three hours just to get it. I'll let my mom deal with that."

Mackenzie Morgan, 18, Redlands

"I didn't go out. I slept in and played video games with my brothers and sisters. Only crazy people go out on Black Friday. Who wants to be trampled on just to try and get a toy or who wants to be shot fighting over the last toy in the aisle? That's just crazy. It happened at a Toys R Us, I heard it on the news. I do my Christmas shopping next week, once the lines and all of the madness dies down."

Wanda Glades, 62, Highland

"I used to go out really early when the stores would first open, but I don't really do that anymore. I still get up and go shopping, though, because there are so many good deals. It's sad to hear about the people who take things too far. It's the holidays. I enjoy a sale as much as the next person but why would anyone be carrying a gun at a toy store?"

Bob Galston, 47, Redlands

"My wife and her sister were up and out of the house by 5 a.m. There is no way you are going to see me at a store before the sun comes up unless they are giving everything away for free. But they like it. They've been doing it for so many years now it has become a tradition kind of. Plus, the more shopping they get done together, the less I have to help with as it gets closer to Christmas."

Taryn Aldes, 17, Loma Linda

"I don't get it. It is way too early, everyone is crazy and you run the risk of getting into a fight and getting hurt. All for some toy that's going to probably be cheaper two weeks later? I didn't hear about the guy getting shot. That just shows how stupid some people can be. And over nothing more than a toy. That's just sad."

Russel Brande, 31, Moreno Valley

"I don't go at the crack of dawn, but I get up and go out by late morning. I've got the day off and I'm going to have to get Christmas presents at some point, so why not when they're having so many sales? A lot of places in the mall have really good bargains. Some people take it a little too serious, but I guess that is just a sign of the times. The economy is hurting, people are having trouble and some of them just don't know how to handle it."

Mary Fernandez, 28, Redlands

"Black Friday is a tradition in my family. It doesn't matter how late we went to bed on Thanksgiving, we know that at 4 a.m. my mom is waking everyone up and we're going to be at the stores. I'm not the happiest person at first, but once I get my cup of coffee and we get out there, it's a lot of fun. I've seen some people start shoving each other and yelling, but I've never seen anything get out of control. Usually most stores have security guards that try and keep the peace."

Joan Potter, 55, Loma Linda

"I get all of my shopping done before Thanksgiving. I learned a long time ago that it's just not worth fighting the crowds. I might not get the best deals like I would if I waited until it was closer to Christmas, but I don't have to worry about running out of time or finding the time to shop."

Michael Bucke, 25, Yucaipa

"I would never go out on Black Friday. I do all of my shopping online from the comfort of my couch. You get just as good deals and you don't have to fight anyone to get what you want. Why wouldn't you shop online?"

E-mail Staff Writer Kevin Trudgeon at ktrudgeon@redlandsdailyfacts.com

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