I try not to go shopping on BF, so I do not have a story about the loons that brought a porta-potty when they camped out at Wal-Mart or the fist fight for a place in line at Best Buy or shopping cart races in the parking lot, but I'm hoping to live vicariously through you.

We had a BF thread last year where people described the wins and oddities of that day. I was reading a post by a member here that said, "Oh the stories I could tell".... so please tell your stories of years past.

Well...I knew DH was the guy for me when he offered (without my hinting) to watch my then 3 year old son on BF so I could go shopping...he even gave up the day's pheasant hunting for us...

Guess you are talking about me so I will start with last year's winner. My son and I were in the front dozen or so people waiting for Staples to open - and there were a couple of guys standing next to us talking. One of them was a business owner (hereafter referred to as BO, for reasons that will become clear), and the other was just your typical computer owner (which means he didn't have a clue about anything....he will be known as CO in the story). To understand this story, you need to know that I do software support as my primary job and have maintained and upgraded my own computers since 1995 or so, and my son was in his junior year at college working towards his CIS degree-and was teaching some of the upper level classes since he knew more than the professor did (sigh....).

We noticed that the BO gave the CO a business card; not unusual-you see a lot of that in stores down here. What actually caught our attention was when the BO and the CO were looking at something in the ad (something very generic-IIRC it was a cd burner or something similar), and the CO asked "Will this work on my computer? I bought it here last year". The BO started saying something like it depends on your computer (which is entirely reasonable), but then he went on to say "Is your computer Windows Pro?". I thought at first he was just trying to state things in a manner that the CO could understand - but as he kept talking, it became very obvious that he was SERIOUS - he thought that there is actually an OS called Windows Pro! The kid and I just kind of looked at each other and turned away so he couldn't see we were smothering laughter, and given the level of idiocy we heard in that conversation, we were not about to enlighten them since it would probably mean that we would be stuck babysitting the CO while we were trying to do our BF shopping..... Anyway, the BO told the CO that he would be taking a chance buying it without having "Windows Pro" on his machine, and told the CO to bring his computer by and he would fix him up.

Oh, you don't get it? The BO was the proud sole proprietor of a local COMPUTER REPAIR SHOP. And was pontificating to anyone who would listen that he was entirely self taught, and knew more than any so called "educated" professional. I guess we should have rescued that poor CO, but we have learned that every time we try to help someone like that, it winds up costing us a small fortune in time and sanity since they never go away, and never learn either.

Ruth

maaaaaaaaaaaaaaybee

Great story Ruth, that reminds me to bring my business cards to BF, a bit of networking if you will :D

Hmm...I'd have to say probably the only story I've got was last year (2004), I was en route to Staples at about 4:30, and I figured "Hey, what cops are going to be out on a small road like this at 4:30 in the morning, right?"

Just as I was chatting on the phone with my friend (who was saving me a spot in line at OfficeMax), the sheriff flashed his blue lights at me I didn't get any points on my insurance but I spent $300 ($175 for a lawyer + $125 for court fees) on that ticket, definitely invalidating the savings I got at BF... I was all worried and nervous that entire day but I still had the adrenaline to go shop as if nothing had happened.

I guess the only way I can think of it is that it would have happened another day if not that day, I got a Valentine One a bit after that so that it never happens again

So, note to all, DON'T SPEED ON BLACK FRIDAY!!

I just remember a few years ago, I got up at 6:00 to go to walmart for some toys for my Niece/Nephew and the parking lot was an obsticle of T.V. boxes, if you could find a parkking spot without a car in it, it was becasue it was filled with T.V. boxes.

I know they were like 75$ or something for a 27 inch or something like that and I think the boxes were too big to fit into a trunk, but un boxed could go into a back seat.

Not sure if this qualifies....several years ago, on one really, really freezing cold morning, think it was maybe 25º, I joined the early throng of other equally insane loons standing in line at 5am waiting for Compusa to open. As usual, folks were chatting with the strangers near them in line. The guy behind me started up a conversation, he was after a laptop or something. He kept chatting. When the doors opened, the crowd rushed in, it was every man [& us few women] for ourselves. I raced around the store gathering my deals then headed to wait in a long line to check out at the registers. I feel a tap on my shoulder, it's that guy. He had already found his new laptop, checked out, loaded up his car, and then went back into the bedlam to try to pick me up












No, I did not go out with him.

Wow, you must look pretty good at 5 am.

Those CompUSA guys are a lonely bunch

My only story (not very interesting) was they guy last year at OD who was arguing with the manager because he didn't get one of the laptop vouchers. And then the many, many people at Sears who were arguing with anyone they could find that the entrance they came in didn't have any gift cards.

Everyone's so cheerful on BF, aren't they?

Could he be referring to Windows XP Pro, as opposed to XP Home edition?

Hmmm looks like everyone has had a fairly bland BF in the past. Only a few stories.

last year on BF I woke up late and had a nice breakfast.
Went to Guitar Center in Nashville as they opened.
enjoyed my time in the store playing on guitars I would never be able to afford. bought a few odd and end items that they had on sale such as guitar strings and stands.
Went to CompUSA and still purchased a 17" flat panel (which I had to ship back and get my money back for)

then I went back home and had leftover bird for lunch and took a nap.

ok go ahead and throw rocks at me.i call the managers i know at staples
tell them what to hold for me.

Prood....

a few yrs ago i had a hystercotomy because of cancer right around holidays . I decided to still go out on black friday ( should not of but i did anyways!)
anyhow me and this lady end up talking for about 30 min while waiting inline. after lines opened i grabbed the item i wanted and went to look for more deals. she seen i had grabbed the last of that item and decided to KICK me in my belly!!! my stiches( a part of them ) came lose and i started to bleed. The pain was unreal! The manager seen this lady kick me. they called the cops and she was arrested. They was bringing out about 40 more of the items she wanted as she was being taken to jail!! I still got all the deals i wanted and was taken to hospital where i got new stiches and a good letcure on how i was supossed to be resting. but hey i got the toys my kids wanted

she also knew i had just had the surgery as we had been talking what a B!

BF seems to bring out all of the rude and unruley people for sure. Glad you made it thru the pain and misery and got the items you wanted.

It isn't even BF yet, and I ALREADY have a crazy Black Friday story for 2005!!

I researched the Panasonic Mini DV Camcorder deals from both Best Buy(BB) and Circuit City(CC). CC is selling the PV-GS19 for $200 AR, and BB is selling the PV-GS31 for $250 AR. The are the same basic camcorders, but the PV-GS31 has many more features, like a light, a color screen, s-video, etc. The PV-GS31 is definitely the better buy. I went to the local CC and they had the PV-GS31 on sale, WITH a free bag and tripod, for $280 AR (ending today, Nov. 19th.)

I have a coupon from Best Buy for 10% off any camcorder, even on sale items. So I decided what the heck, I'll go see if Circuit City will honor the Best Buy 10% off coupon. With 10% off, that would be the same price as BB without having to show up on BF at 5 AM, plus the bag and tripod! The Sales Associate(SA) got approval from the Assistant Manager(AssMan) and I was estatic! ...Until the SA tried to ring it up and the computer wouldn't take it. So the AssMan came out and he tried to do it. No good. Then the AssMan says, "I can only give you either the 10% off, or the free tripod and bag, the computer won't allow it". I argued that we had a deal, computer be damned, let me talk to the manager in charge. He counters with an offer for a 10% off, plus 1/2 price on the tripod and bag. I asked again for the manager. Store Director Marion Fleenor comes out. He refuses to honor any of the offers, and then calls ME a LIAR! He says that there is no way the SA or the AssMan ever agreed to honor the 10% coupon, and he won't honor any of the 3 offers! Forget Circuit City! The last time I was treated this poorly was at a used car dealership....

My choice for where I will be on BF is Best Buy. See you there!

OMG! That's horrible.

How awful. The best part is that you've survived cancer and your children still have their mom, and that's better than any present you could possibly find.






Was this at a Walmart?

This was the year of the electronic cats..fur real?
I was there at 4am at KBToys at this upscale mall in Tampa. (International Mall)

Of course there was the usual in line chit chat with most of them who never use the net, and it was unbelievable that they had never heard of the best forums around!

anyway. they would only let you get 1 cat. I have 2 DDs. needed 2. one black, one white. I actually handed CASH TO AND TRUSTED some lady/stranger in line in front of me with to buy me one of those stupid cats in the right color...
she did, and it was soooooooooooooooo worth the wake up.
talk about an adrenaline rush= pass out your cash to a stranger. hell, I'd rather go skydiving!

p.s. the girls hardly ever played with those friggin things!

edit: and then they had the nerve to ask for the puppies the next year when they came out!! NOT!

Catrina, that is awful. I'm so sorry.







circuitcitysuxz, the manager was clearly wrong. All the sales clerk had to do was give you the 10% discount. Doesn't take Bill Gates to do that.

Those of us who have patiently waited in line are not greedy. Folks who show up late & then try to cut into the line ahead of others are the greedy & rather rude ones.

Regardless of which side of the counter you are on, there is always some rotten person who tries to make everyone around them feel awful. Usually, it's the poor sales clerks who get it with both barrels because they really can't do anything about it and keep thier livelyhoods. I was in retail for 14 years and I dreaded BF every year. Now that I have left retail I enjoy it and try to make at least one sales clerk smile on that dreaded BF morning. I think everyone should try to do that.

It is a common misconception but, clerks and sales people generally do not get anymore money than they would any other day of the year and they are expected to work BF regardless. When I was a manager, I first asked for people to volunteer and then I would make schedule decisions afterward to fill it accordingly. I always expected my clerks to be treated with the same respect that I expected them to give to customers. Saddly, it's not done that way anymore and it's the minimum wage(Or a little higher) clerk who's gotten the short end of the stick.

Be kind even if they seem cranky. Granted they should not be cranky to a customer but put yourself in thier shoes, thake a look at the long line of customers clammoring for thier attention and think to yourself "Geeze, and I thought I was understress?" Remember, you can go home at any time. Consider the peson behind the counter to be your challenge. Some poeple won't smile but the ones who do will remember you for the rest of the day and maybe the rest of the season.

On to my goofy story!

While on line at Kay-Be toy store(5am BF'04), I stuck up a conversation with some women who were infront of us. They were goofy with the spirit of the holiday, too much coffee and lack of sleep...as were we.

We were all secretly ridiculing a nasty, nasty woman in front of us that was howling and complaining that there were just too many people and the line was going too slow and her feet hurt and so on, and so on. I mean, Hello! It's Black Friday the busiest shopping day of the year, what was she expecting red carpet service just for her?

We were sure that all she could hear was our laughter each time she announced something obvious that she was "Discusted" with or when one of the group said something funny(not even about her). It irked her that she could not ruin our day, just to make herself feel powerful over us. She gave us many sneers but we were so happy and silly and enjoying each other's company, we didn't care. So we talked and giggled like old school friends and carried on happily in spite of that nasty woman.

When she said in a loud voice that "Well, we might as well be cows led to the milking stalls!" The whole group, my group and the group in front of us, instantly chimed out "Moo, Moo, Moo!" to the tune of "Jingle Bells" Which not only we but the rest of the crowd thought was hysterical. The nasty woman was so angry she stomped off in a huff, leaving her place in line. While the line of happy shoppers sang out in Moos and laughter! We shouted out "Thank you for the spot and Merry Christmas" as she left the mall.

Yes, aren't we taught that in grade school? Take your turn, don't push ahead in line? Stuff like that? I think that's what's called manners. BF is first come first serve that's the challenge and fun of it and it's rude, thoughtless people who think that they have some sort of right to push ahead in line that tend to ruin it for others. Talk about selfish and arrogant! I just don't get the nerve of some people!

yup was at walmart.
But its ok because i got the stuff i was going for. NOTHING keeps me from going to the sales. lol I have been going for 10 years and have seen some of the rudest people on that day.my children are young and really enjoy a lot of the 5.00 /10.00 toy deals!! I should of stayed home that year. Oh boy nooo I cant listen LOL

yes walmart. I think the best gift I have even been given was my children

Its really ok. I should of listened to my dr. I am a hard head

This is from BF 2005.

Set my alarm for 4:00 am and woke up, but thought better of it and slept till 8. Drove across the border (Live in Niagara Falls) and went to the ravaged remains of the stores . I even found the stuff that I was looking for albeit not at the same prices, but not bad all the same. Between my GF and I, we got about $200 worth of stuff and headed back to have dinner at our side for about 5:00pm. When we came to the border (queenston-lewiston) we told the agent that we had about $100 each. She asked to see the receipts and I told her they were in the trunk. I offered to show her and she agreed, probably looking forward to catching me in a lie. When she saw our meager pile of goods, she let us go for our honesty. I go over to Buffalo fairly often and know there is no point in BSing Customs Agents.

It was then that we drove past the 75+ cars in line waiting to pay their duty for the large amount of goods that they procured .

The Buffalo area economy thanks you and all Southern Ontario Canadians.

My First BF shopping experience happened last year after I found this site. I was not prepared at all. I was going to Meijers for their 5:00 sale. I was leaving the house about 4:30. Drove the twenty minutes there. I pulled off the interstate, I was stunned I couldn't see the Meijer parking lot, but the streets were bare. I was so excited, I thought this is so awesome nobody is up this early, I will get everything I want. Then I pull into the parking lot. Oh my, what was I thinking. The parking lot was over flowing. I go in. Everything I wanted already gone. I did find out that I could pm some toys that I already bought and had my reciept for the sale price. So now what do I do. I decide to do to CC which is next door. They don't open up for another hour, I'll wait. Look at the line circling the store. And I mean circling the store. And decide, not such I good idea. No I go to office max, get some great deals, which happen to be one of my first best deals. a AIO printer with cheap digi camra and get paid $13.00. Then I go home and my husband and kids are still in bed. This year I stayed in bed and shopped online and still got everything I wanted.

I love reading these stories. I never have any good BF stories to tell, so I live vicariously through others.


More please.....

Is it pathetic that I'm already stalking these bf threads?!? I mean, it's still more than 2 months away and I'm waiting anxiously for the next go round.

I don't have any odd or funny stories, my little wal-mart runs pretty smoothly. The cashiers are so very friendly and helpful. Last year I helped an associate get a cabbage patch kid for her kidlet by grabbing it for her and giving it to a family member of hers later on.

For the most part, everyone I have encountered on BF has been jovial, helpful and festive. Maybe that's why I like it so much?!?

I have two so-so stories.

The first happened I think for BF2003 or BF. It was my first BF, so I went to BestBuy around 10:30AM (they opened around 6AM or so) just to see if I could find any leftovers. I was looking for the Simpsons Season 1 DVD for $11.99. Of course they were all gone by then. Since the line was wrapped around the whole store I figured I'd just browse around to see what else they had. While I was walking near the cashiers, one guy in line almost screams that he has 2 extra Simpsons DVD's, and the person in front and behind him each take one. It was very and

The second happened last year, but didn't happen directly to me. I drove to Circuit City around 4:45AM, and the line to go in was already wrapped around the store. I noticed that there was also a police car near the front, but I didn't stay around to find out what happened. I decided to drive over to a nearby Target. I was probably the 20th person in line, and a while later a lady joined me. She told me that she had been in line at the Circuit City around midnight, and was near the front of the line. Then she said probably around 2AM some other people started arguing about who got in line first, and a fight broke out. That's why the police car was around. When the fight broke out I guess some people shoved their way closer to the front of the line, and the lady lost her spot. So she figured she'd just go to Target instead. Later, I drove by that Circuit City around noon and suprisingly there was still a line wrapped around it.

All I wanted to do was get that silly little robot for this little boy I watch every so often. Well I went to Linens and things (yeah they were selling it) didnt find it, went to target next dor to it...they didnt have t either. Finally drove 30 min to circuit city. It was around 8am and I got in there, got what i wanted, and got in line. some guy was in the line in front of me whining about how he had been in the store for 3hrs and I was like "Yeah I just got here" and he was like "don't tell me that" I was like "yeah and I parked right in front of the store". I did. I actually burned my clutch to a smell just because I was in a hurry just to parallel park and get out!

Not too thrilling, but I think I upset the guy a little

My friend, my husband and I make BF a day event. We spend several hours plotting our strategies. We take only one car and usually get up at 3:30 am to be in line wherever we are going. I have to laugh at all the angry people we encounter. We have never seen anyone really rude or down right mean. We always talk nicely to the cashiers and wait patiently. Isn't that what the season is about. Joy, Fun, Family and Friends. The gifts are just a bonus.

I do have to say I giggle quite alot to see some people get so serious. I don't think at 4 am on any morning of the year do I ever expect to be taken seriously.

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful shopping BF and keep your spirits light.

(I do have to tell you, my friend and I almost lost it when we saw a 80 some year old woman fighting with another woman over a $39 vacuum cleaner. I didn't think it was that great of a thing, but to each their own.)

Be Safe & Have Fun

At Circuit City a few years ago they had big TV's on sale (before plasma & flat screens). We were coming out and saw some people loading a huge tv in their small hatchback car...they had already taken it out of the box to try and make it fit. Anyway they finally got it in there and the lady slammed down the door and CRASH...there was glass everywhere! The tv had smashed right through the hatchback window.

It was very mean, but I couldn't help but laugh!


Another funny story from a few years before that...also at CC. They had VCR's on sale for like $30 or $40. My little brother was probably like 10 or so and we had got him all psyched up about BF. We were some of the first people in line. When they opened those doors my brother took off running for the stack of VCR's. There must have been 200 in the stack, but he wanted to make sure he got one!

Oh, the joys of BF

Might as well tell about the 2005 Black Friday.

I was on my way past Best Buy at 7pm Thanksgiving day and saw there was already people waiting in line, so I pulled in and called my friend who was going to come at 10 or so.

So we sat out there in the cold all night with a propane heater, called and ordered Pizzas a few times and they did bing them to us in line. And to make it even better that was the first night it snowed... several inches. Lets just say I was glad to have four wheel drive to get home.

Biggest thing that happened was that some idiots in a big truck came about twenty minutes before they opened the door and tried to cut into the front of the line. The Best Buy guys kicked them to the WAAAAAy back of the line and there was almost a brawl between them and a teenager who was bitching them out for trying to cut in line.

Other then that there was a fun time when I had a huge cart full of computers to go out, and a woman and kid who came very late (9am) was upset that all the computers were gone... so they tried to take mine out of my cart as I am leaving.

At chicago there's alot of chaos during BF. When I Was in line so many people tryed to cut in front and back of us. (i was like the 4th in line. I got mad so I pulled out by police raincoat and everyone stoped pushing and cutting.

The funniest story I know of are all the fights that take place at Walmart over a $30.00 DVD player. Aside from that, My sister and I stood in line for different items one year, and she wanted a Gameboy for her two children, I was at the $30.00 DVD players getting us all one. When suddenly out of a massive crowd of people I heard my sisters voice, YOU CAN"T DO THAT, She has the AD in her hand... They were tell her they were limiting the Gameboys to 1 per customer, SHE HOLLERED TO GET A STORE MANAGER RIGHT NOW! so they called him back there and NOW IT IS DEAD QUIET right, SHE IS TELLING THE MANAGER that IF IT IS NOT LIMITED IN THE AD THEY CAN'T LIMIT the ITEM...
SHE WON! Save a bunch of MOM's a HEADACHE, and GOT TWO GAMEBOYS!
AFTER ALL THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT....

Simple and short...
Black Friday 1998

I was a BB employee.
Lady passed out in line... fell forward busting out front teeth. Blood everywhere.
2 guys fist-fighting over a discounted freezer.... a freezer for Christssake..... Nuts.

I go every-year... cheap entertainment I say... and maybe a good deal every now and then.

OK. So...... last year, I decided to go to Best Buy earlier than I ever have before. See, BF 2005 My FIL & I went to TRU @ 3 a.m. and saw that the line at BB was barely to the fri=ont corner of the building. In my infinite wisdom, I decided to go to BB in 06 at around 12:45 a.m. I thought that, surely, the line would be even shorter than the year before and I was destined to get that 190.00 laptop. LOLOLOLOLOL

Upon my arrival, I discovred that I was sadly mistaken. At 12:45 I was about at the back corner of the store. I sat there, talking to a lady whose friend had gone to BB in a neighboring town to check the line there. It was even longer! Soooo.... waited until about 4, actually moved about halfway up the building as people were getting discouraged and leaving. I too got discouraged and sent my FIL to check out TRU across the street. He called and said no-one was there. After weighing my options, I went to TRU. I was just hoping they would have a Wii or some other good deals. At TRU, I found the only people in line were my son's Cub Scout leader & wife!
I was 3rd in the store and did not get a Wii but did get a roboraptor for 40 bucks. I'm doing research now so I'll know if I'll have to pay my neighbor's teenage son to sit in line for me. LOL

Wow...ya'll must live in some pretty quiet neighborhoods!!

My first ever Black Friday was just a kinda, "hmm...wonder what all of them are standing in line for" curiousity coming home from a cateye shift at Sheetz. I really had nothing I wanted and didn't even see the ad, but thought, hmm, maybe some small Christmas gifts, I needed to unwind anyway.

Wow, unwind...isnt the word!!

I waited in the freezing line thinking, wtf...looking over the shoulders of people to see what the big fuss was about. This was the year, and I cannot recall which, but game boys were really cheap. The doors opened (before our new super walmart time) and I have never seen anything like it. People lined up and the lines just collapsed, doors were shaking, literally! One lady set her 2 year old on a TV (she was terrified by this time) and told her to wait and not move no matter what until Mommy came back with a cart. I of course had to sit and beat the buzzards off this small terrified child...then let the mother know what I thought! I believe there was some minor hair pulling that day, nothing severe...

It has since become a tradition. Last year I wanted a snugglebean Cabbage Patch for my daughter and neice...and not that I thought I wouldn't get one but hey, it's fun to get up early and be first in line. Our new super walmart of course is opened with the ropes and all...and I was first in line (woo-hoo) and wow was I ever sorry. They hadn't even pulled the rope and someone comes flying into me, shoving me into the rope (yup you guessed it) chain reaction of everyone thinking it was time to go, and they all came at once. Down I go, onto a skid, busted my knee and new jeans, bleeding, and people are literally clobbering me for these, WILL NOT let me up. So...I just started heaving these dolls, I mean throwing them back over my head. Some lady said I hit her in the head, I thought, hey lady, you're not getting killed over here! So once I did get out of there (managed to get my pics of the litter while I was shoved into the pile anyway) I continued shopping. Usually I just find a few items that I want and leave. Of course, I do take people with me, and swap stuff, ya know, you pick this up in this line and I'll get one of these for you and we'll meet and swap. Last year I picked up a few extra because I knew I'd see someone later who I knew or my dd's friends mom, and if not usually I will go back to the original spot and see some down-trodden soul who lights up at the site of, "hey, I grabbed an extra, were you lookin for these?" SOOO much fun. Last year I took my mom as well who is just not even a shopper on normal days, and she had so much fun just being the back up buggy driver, lol.

Wish I could get some hands on that Walmart list but it'll come soon enough I'm sure.

I tell this one every year

I think this was in 2004...I was driving down a pretty much empty road headed to Staples at about 4:00 AM. I figured I'd drive a little faster than normal since I lived in a small town and I didn't figure any cops would be out at that hour. About a mile away from my destination, I got pulled over and a ticket written for going 62 in a 35 zone, which I ended up getting dropped but it cost me $375.

Sort of defeated the purpose of Black Friday, I guess...but I walked away with a ton of great deals anyway :D

Two years ago I was camped out at Circuit City overnight and funny stuff happened all through the night. It was freezing and just watching people show up without adequate clothing and then leaving after waiting a short while was hilarious in itself. My favorite were these two Asian guys who show up with a couple of kitchen chairs and are like 25th in line (not too bad if you aren't after the computers) but they were dressed very poorly with no jackets or gloves. Within minutes, they decide to go get coats but leave their chairs to "hold" their place in line. Of course they failed to establish report with anyone in line and so nobody was going to listen to their heralding ownership of these two chairs. As the hour passed and more people would show up, my buddy and I would answer to all that came to just go ahead and move those chairs back in line. By the time the asian guys showed back up they were like 150th in line. They grabbed their chairs and left.
It got really really cold that night and people were stomping and huddling and such. I had a nice army sleeping bag and a few lawn chairs and was pretty snug but my buddy was cold as crap and all red faced. I took a break and shot up to Caseys General Store to use the bathroom and get some snacks. I got an idea while there and bought a big aluminum turkey pan and a few of those self starter logs. When I got back I lit the sucker and soon a whole throng of people were crowded around this small fire swearing on the lives of their children to defend it. When the police came by they just smiled and when the Circuity City employees showed up they just laughed but not once did anyone demand we put it out. :o)))
This year it is projected to be cold again. We have a collapsable tent, propane heater and might even grill this year. If you establish yourself in line (especially through understanding and report with those around you, have something (chairs and blankets) to hold your place, then leaving for 10 or 15 minutes is easy. They do it for you and you do it for them. As far as tents and such being impractical, not when you are freezing your arse off. Besides, when "the quickening" approaches. That time when you don't have long to open, throngs of people will alternate running crap to their cars and getting themselves into shopping shape.

Good Luck!

JD

Wow, no new stories for three years? I have one.
Back when both my kids were little- about 10 years or so ago- Best Buy dropped the price of a desktop computer under $200. So we decided to splurge and get them this eMachines special, and I headed out to BB at 1AM for the 6AM start.
It was a cold, cold night, but I had dressed for the part, and got into the store, snagged the computer, and was checked out by around 7:30 (this was back in the day where they would not let you leave before their techs loaded the machines with bloatware....I mean checked the machine.
On the way out, an incoming customer saw my computer in the cart, and offered me $400.00 on the spot for it.
I turned him down, but the BF frenzy was summed up for me by that guy's desperate attempt.