Boxing Day Madness Photo

Photographer’s Note

This was the line up in front of the Best Buy Store in Streetsville, Mississauga on the Boxing Day (26 December). Please bear in mind that this line up was just to get inside the store, after that there would have been another biiiiiig line up to the tills. To get the complete picture of how big this line-up was, please look at the WS.

Best Buy and Future Shot are one of the biggest retailers for electronics in Canada.

Boxing Day is the day when it is hard to get parking even at the Square One shopping mall in Mississauga with its 8700 parking spaces. I wanted to go there to capture the Boxing Day scene but I heard that there were very big traffic jams due to the rush of shoppers over there, and just the commute in the transit bus would have taken one and a half hour. So I was content with photos outside this store in Streetsville.

For people who are not aware of the Boxing Day Sales, here is some information that I copy pasted from Wikipedia, for more information, Please Click Here

"In the United States (where the term "Boxing Day" is not used and is in fact unfamiliar to most) and Canada, Boxing Day is the day when many retail stores sell their products at discounted rates. This results in huge lineups at retailers. Stores have these sales to clear out old inventory for the next year; this is often in large part because for many US corporations and proprietorships, there is a millage tax (similar to property taxes) on any inventory retained as of 1 January of each year (or 7 January/15 January in some tax jurisdictions). Thus it behooves retailers to clear out as much retained inventory as possible to avoid the millage tax consequences. Many products have a mail-in rebate to be used, a tactic used by manufacturers to clear their inventory."

Thanks to lebjohnson (Lois Johnson) who pointed out that "in the US, 26 Dec is not called Boxing Day."

yesyuvraj, digi-mom, cessy, waqas, lebjohnson, singuanti, maphoto, Clairedelune, rosiegirl, capthaddock, PLD_images, berek, jafadabret, aloyho, rahul__rahul__, Rushabh, chaity, PJE has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

yesyuvraj (150) 2005-12-28 19:01 [Comment]

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digi-mom (1064) 2005-12-28 19:15

That's a good one - a common site all over, it sounds like. Looks much safer than downtown TO was on Boxing Day too! I like how this photo even includes the confusion in the parking lot between pedestrians and drivers. The BestBuy building has a great shape, but a little too much pale, matching the sky we've been having lately. Thanks for the great note. :o)

cessy (13647) 2005-12-28 19:21

what a long queue !! must be really good bargain to make long standing in the queue worth it (I hate queueing :D)
very nice capture, Sarju
excellent colors too

waqas (95) 2005-12-28 19:59

Nice composition. I knew about the thanksgiving sales but boxing day thing is new information for me. Thanks for sharing.

lebjohnson (489) 2005-12-28 20:18 [Comment]

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singuanti (15240) 2005-12-28 22:40

Hey Sarju. That is a crazy line! That makes me wish we observed Boxing Day in the US to get some good prices. With the way you framed it you added mystery to the actual length of the line because it appears to go on and on. Nice one Sarju!

maphoto (8076) 2005-12-28 23:11

Hi Sarju, your courageous to go at the store on the 26th, I prefer to stay at home and avoid this kind of traffic jam. Anyway, you chose a good point of view, the store offers nice graphic elements, very clear. For the rest, I guess you had no control on the crowd !!

Clairedelune (4885) 2005-12-29 0:33

Hi Sarju!
Like I said in your picture "Suburbia", I will maybe die really poor but you will never see me in one of those lines! Not because of the line in itself. I'm a very patient (it depends for what!) and can wait in a line without becoming crazy. But what is impossible for me is INSIDE the store. I say some coverage in the news, and I felt sick! No way. Never! By the way, you were going for DVDs or a router? :)
About the picture, I like the "Best buy" sign. Just perfect for showing the "Boxing Day" event. I also like the mix of cars and people. The colors and sharpness are good. I do "smile" in seeing the garbage on the ground. That's the law of the consumption I guess, buy and throw away... Thank's for that picture Sarju!
Claire

rosiegirl (2042) 2005-12-29 1:31

I've heard of boxing day, but I had no idea it was even hinted at in the US. The mad dash to holiday savings always occures the day after Thanksgiving I thought. At least thats when I see lines like these.
But my goodness, that is quite a line. I like the group of guys sauntering across the street towards the madness. Too bad about the overcast lighting, but its still a good capture. Nice work.

Rosie

capthaddock (28640) 2005-12-29 9:29

Hi Sarju - madness is too mild a word to describe this, it also happens in the US the day after US thanksgiving, I remember how this year people started lining up at 5AM at Target, a store that sells nothing but cheap chinese made crap.
PS neighbor - sorry I'm late, I was all out of smileys last night

feather (49858) 2005-12-29 9:45

The Boxing Day sales didn't start until the 27th this year in UK. Because of Christmas Day being on a Sunday, 26th was also a holiday. However the queues are just as bad. At some stores people camp out overnight!! Some people even buy next year's Christmas presents at the Boxing Day sales. I avoid the sales like the plague, having much the same views as Claire.
Good idea to post this photo as a documentary. There will be some people around the world who cannot understand western compulsion for a bargain at any cost...usually to dignity.
Kath

PLD_images (7141) 2005-12-29 10:14

Just incredible...

I just dont get this thing about saving a couple of bucks and having to spend hours to do it. A really fine shot that shows a very modern and up to date part of north amercan way of life. Well done my friend.

I heard on CBC radio that Ontario has the canadian record for boxing day with 1 out of 3 people go shopping that day with an average of 800$ per shopper. Quebec is last in the contry with only 1 out of 9 and an average of 400$ per person. It's hard to beleive and you will never catch me at a boxing day sale, unless they would start giving deals in motorcycle shops...

All the best for 2006, and Seasons Greetings!

Paul

john_c (24635) 2005-12-29 10:35

Hi Sarju,
Now I know why I never go near these places...It is indeed humorous, this rushing madness for consumer goods. But mea culpa, we are all guilty. I like how you present this scene, as others, though, as a part of our daily life and give an excellent note on the shot's significance in our culture. Good colour and clarity from a superb POV. The best of the New Year to you, Sarju.
John

berek (28875) 2005-12-30 1:53

Hi Sarju,

nice daily life picture.explanatıry picture notes.
Happy new year for you and your family.
B.Erek
Lighten :8**Contrast:9**Framing :8**Colors:9
Poin of view :8**Idea :9**Picture Note:10
PS:Evaluation rate is max:10

jafadabret (39505) 2005-12-30 6:33

Sarju, la note donne beaucoup d'informations sur ce Boxing day complètement inconnu chez nous. Chez nous le lendemain de Noël serait plutôt le jour des réclamations pour tous les cadeaux qui ne fonctionnent pas. La photo est très documentaire, très nette et bien composée.

BlaiseCendrars (0) 2005-12-31 7:45

Hi Sarju! This is an interesting daily life photo. What I like most here is the arrow-like sign 'Best buy' and the guys walking in the direction of it. The car adds to the very commercial atmosphere. This is good work out of something I would never dream of making a photo of. Thanks, you give me new ideas Sarju! Happy New Year my friend! All the best to you and your family! Chris

aloyho (6109) 2006-01-01 3:45

Hi Sarju,
Indeed it is interesting to see the long queue which I always hate and dread. The conflicting directions of the queue and that of the signboard and cars helped a lot in this composition as it guides and keep our eyes inside the frame. The clarity and details are great. Well done!!! A Happy New Year and have a great day.

Photograph2u (583) 2006-01-02 20:37

Hi Sarju, what an incredible wait. I would never do the line.

I want to wish you a very happy New Year I wish you the very best for 2006 and many many more beautiful photos :)

Yan :)

rbcy1974 (20742) 2006-01-05 8:20

Hello Sarju,
Happy new year.
Wow great photo you shouw the suburban wasteland very well here. I like the colourful diagonal lines in the building and the close cropping.
Well done
Regards
Daniel

Rushabh (389) 2006-01-05 23:22

One day I dont want to be in the crowded stores. Even though its not in the USA there is usually a sale after Christmas. People either want to exchange or return gifts back and also the sale factor is there. Nice composition. TFS

chaity (1539) 2006-01-09 2:00

Hi Sarju, thanks for the colorful photo of this place. I though the jam is long over in my area here. Seeing and reading your notes make me think again.

PJE (19421) 2006-01-13 17:16

Sarju thanks for all the critiques today. Sharing photos with dynamic light are always a pleausre.
This boxing day special photo really hits the mark well with the long line up at this stoer and Future Crap..oops sorry bout that..The sleep import in red stands in contrast to the blue section of the building. Nice worka nd thanks for sharing!

annagrace (2463) 2006-01-14 15:26

Well I knew what Boxing Day was, LOL! Those lines are ridiculous. I have made it a point to never stand in long lines for any shopping, it can't possibly be worth it! Great POV and I like the workshop too.

Have a good weekend!

Alli

danielswalsh (13320) 2006-01-18 19:14

Hey Sarju;

Well reading through your newly update Bio. I found it interesting you mention Dulce De Leche. When I was younger we used to live in Argentina, and that is where my mother picked up the recipe/ method for making dulce de leche. in South America they use it as a spread on toast- but as you mentioned. Just as good over ice cream!

This photo REALLY brings back some memories... I used to work at Future Shop in Vancouver (and area). I was never really able to spend much time with my family (where they lived on Vancouver Island) because I always had to be back to the mainland for Boxing Day sales. Huge line-ups out the doors with "door crashers", and people always shouting at the staff to let them in from the cold. (Due to security and fire issues, they can only allow so many people in the store at one time).
Future Shop tried to expand into the US, back in the mid 90's, but didn't have much luck. All it seemed to do was awaken the giant in "Best Buy" to do the same by moving into Canada. Leading up to now, where Best Buy now owns Future Shop. The sales people used to work on commission, but from what I understand- now are on hourly pay or maybe salary for managers etc.

So what did you buy during your boxing day shopping Sarju?

All the best,
- Dan