So, I went last year at around 9pm to my nearby Best Buy to wait in line for some doorbusters. To my disdain, there were probably around 150 people ALREADY waiting in line. So I decided to go to one of the next closest stores, which is in a more 'out of the city' location and when i got there there were still probably 75-100 people in line!
Of course, I give some credit to the fact that it was 60+ degrees that night, but still, who knew there were so many crazies in the DFW area!?!?!?
I'm actually kinda hoping for a cold and rainy night this year so the turnout will be less that early. I'm also going to head out right after T'giving dinner so more around 4 or 5pm this time around (assuming my wife lets me, haha).

What time are y'all planning on getting out to your fav store this year???

For Best Buy or Circuit City, you're going to find that 4 or 5 pm is much too late if you want any door busters. You need to plan for around noon on T-Giving. Honest. And it's in the 30s on Thanksgiving here in PA.

And as Black Friday gets more popular as years pass, that time is going to get earlier and earlier.

But to answer your question, we go to Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot, and I only go 1/2 an hour before they open and usually end up with 90% of the things I want. OfficeMax is the best -- they always have plenty of doorbusters in stock and they're organized, I go there first and I can usually go in and get out with everything in 10 minutes.

geezzzz... see, that's why i'm hoping for some inclement weather. that way it'll ward off at least some BF people. We'll see what happens. Maybe I'll do a drive by earlier in the day or something, see what's going on.

It's funny how much it depends on the weather/climate though. I mean, I lived in MI until a year ago and two years ago we went to best buy at 4am and there were only about 75 people in line. Of course, it was about 25 degrees out and it was snowing and windy. But it just shows how the climate totally dictates how early most people are willing to go. I remember the guy who was in line first told us that he got there around 9-10pm. CRAZY!!!

Just to give you an idea ...

The only line I really took part in last year was the local Best Buy. Fortunately for me I had no interest in doorbusters, so I came in about an hour before opening. I went to the front of the line just to take a lookie and talked to a couple people who were first to go in. One guy said he was there at 2 in the afternoon and set up a tent to camp out for about 15hours. :eyepoppin About an hour to opening I took my place in line ... starting at the front door I followed the line ... going completely around the store ... all the way to the back parking lot ... completely AROUND the parking lot ... zig zagging around some markers they had positioned up, and finally after quite some walking I found my place. I'd guess at about a thousand people in line in front of me easy, give or take. There were even people coming in line behind me after I was there. It was a pretty impressive sight to see word getting out and all these people taking part in BF. The adventure inside the BB store was equally exciting as well, but I'll save that story for another thread. :D

So, I hope that puts it into perspective. :cheesy: The time you should get in line basically all depends on where you plan on going and what you plan on getting. If you're headed to any of the major electronics chains (Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics, or even Wal-Mart) for one of their limited wuantity doorbusters (cheap desktop, laptop, TV, camera) plan on being there VERY early thanksgiving day. Perhaps some drive-by's on a regular basis if you can, and once you start to see people lining up you better hop in.

On a side note, I really think word about BF is getting around more and more as the years go by. I've taken part in BF for just the last four years or so, and every year there seems to me more people. I really think a big part of that is due to GottaDeal and it's community, not to mention more and more publicity that the folks at GottaDeal ('sup, Brad! Yap wit'cha soon, Ross!) get each year, as we get closer to that infamous day. ;)

And it's rather warm here in Phoenix. Thought you folks expecting snow on thanksgiving might wanna know. :tongue1:

Last year got in line at 3pm on thanksgiving> I was number 24 in line :tongue1: We got everything on our list . This year I am thinking of noon but it all depends what the deals are and if its a must have :cheesy:

last year we went to CC about 10pm thanksgiving night.
This year, probably will just hit our "slower" walmart about 5am.
I think I may have a childcare issue this year, so I gotta wait
on DH to get home from work. :(

Just to give you an idea ...

The only line I really took part in last year was the local Best Buy. Fortunately for me I had no interest in doorbusters, so I came in about an hour before opening. I went to the front of the line just to take a lookie and talked to a couple people who were first to go in. One guy said he was there at 2 in the afternoon and set up a tent to camp out for about 15hours. :eyepoppin About an hour to opening I took my place in line ... starting at the front door I followed the line ... going completely around the store ... all the way to the back parking lot ... completely AROUND the parking lot ... zig zagging around some markers they had positioned up, and finally after quite some walking I found my place. I'd guess at about a thousand people in line in front of me easy, give or take. There were even people coming in line behind me after I was there. It was a pretty impressive sight to see word getting out and all these people taking part in BF. The adventure inside the BB store was equally exciting as well, but I'll save that story for another thread. :D

So, I hope that puts it into perspective. :cheesy: The time you should get in line basically all depends on where you plan on going and what you plan on getting. If you're headed to any of the major electronics chains (Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics, or even Wal-Mart) for one of their limited wuantity doorbusters (cheap desktop, laptop, TV, camera) plan on being there VERY early thanksgiving day. Perhaps some drive-by's on a regular basis if you can, and once you start to see people lining up you better hop in.

On a side note, I really think word about BF is getting around more and more as the years go by. I've taken part in BF for just the last four years or so, and every year there seems to me more people. I really think a big part of that is due to GottaDeal and it's community, not to mention more and more publicity that the folks at GottaDeal ('sup, Brad! Yap wit'cha soon, Ross!) get each year, as we get closer to that infamous day. ;)

And it's rather warm here in Phoenix. Thought you folks expecting snow on thanksgiving might wanna know. :tongue1:

Hey I am in Phoenix! I was at the Best Buy at I-17 & Thunderbird last year. I got into the line at about 4pm and was number 40-ish in line. Got every door buster I wanted though.

I'm in the DFW area and I ran by BB on my way to my mom's house for Thanksgiving. I HAD TO stop and ask the guy who was first in line what time he got there. He said he got there at 6 am (Thanksgiving morning)!!

Last year I drove by our "old people" walmart* on the way home from T-giving dinner at a friends house around 9pm to see how many people were already in line. No one was there yet, so I zoomed home, changed into more comfy clothes and shoes and to grab my beach chair. Got back about 9:30, still no one there. I parked and just sat in my car until the next person arrived, which wasn't until almost 3am. I was first in line.

This year it's just going to depend on who has the best deal. I'm going to be looking for a new laptop this year. My sister got the Compaq one that was at Circuit City last year and I really like it.

Hey I am in Phoenix! I was at the Best Buy at I-17 & Thunderbird last year. I got into the line at about 4pm and was number 40-ish in line. Got every door buster I wanted though.

That's the store I hit! Since you were there soo early you didn't geta chance to see what happened to the line. You probably passed me up somewhere in the store, though. Maybe I even bumped into your cart. :tongue1: So what time you goin' this year?

I think I remmeber you, EliteABomb. Spoke with 'ya on line a bit before BF last year. Hope to yap with 'ya a lil' more this year. ;)

That's the store I hit! Since you were there soo early you didn't geta chance to see what happened to the line. You probably passed me up somewhere in the store, though. Maybe I even bumped into your cart. :tongue1: So what time you goin' this year?

I think I remmeber you, EliteABomb. Spoke with 'ya on line a bit before BF last year. Hope to yap with 'ya a lil' more this year. ;)

This year I plan to get there at about noon, bring a tent and mini propane grill. (That is if Walmart doesn't woo me in with a good ad.)

This year I plan to get there at about noon, bring a tent and mini propane grill. (That is if Walmart doesn't woo me in with a good ad.)

Ah. In that case, I'll be there about 11:59am. :lolrun: If you bring the grill , I'll bring the steaks. :D

Seriously, we'll chat later. I'll be hitting either that Best Buy or the Fry's Electronics right next door for the doorbusters this year.

I'm in the DFW area and I ran by BB on my way to my mom's house for Thanksgiving. I HAD TO stop and ask the guy who was first in line what time he got there. He said he got there at 6 am (Thanksgiving morning)!!

where abouts in the DFW area ChristmasShopping? I"m over in NRH in NorthEast Tarrant County.

Last year, dh and I went to Kmart on Thanksgiving morning to get cheap pillows. I wanted to swing by BB just to see if anyone was in the line, but decided not to. Dh, was thinking we should just go and do it anyway, but the guilt of not having dinner with the kids was killing me, so we went home. We ended up at BB after 6pm and yes, there was already a long line. I could spit fire I was so mad at myself. I will probably do Kmart by myself if they have something good and then we are planning to have a Thanksgiving brunch with the kids, after which we'll then head over to BB.

Hey I am in Phoenix! I was at the Best Buy at I-17 & Thunderbird last year. I got into the line at about 4pm and was number 40-ish in line. Got every door buster I wanted though.

Well it's good to know that as long as I'm in the top 50 or so, I should be golden to get my preferred doorbusters. The Best Buy by my house is in a high traffic area too, so they should get larger quantity of the doorbusters too.

It's only August and I'm already getting pumped...

where abouts in the DFW area ChristmasShopping? I"m over in NRH in NorthEast Tarrant County.
It was the Best Buy in Grapevine. I know the NRH's BB by the mall had people in line last year by noon -- our friends were there at 3 pm and talked to the people in the front.

And I moved here from the Ohio/Michigan border.. I remember the cold snowy Black Fridays!

Well it's good to know that as long as I'm in the top 50 or so, I should be golden to get my preferred doorbusters. The Best Buy by my house is in a high traffic area too, so they should get larger quantity of the doorbusters too.

Usually people before the fifty-ish in line get prety much what they want. But be careful. If you're #31 in line and they only have thirty laptops, everyone in front of you better not want a laptop. :runaway: Fortunately people want different things on the doorbusters list, so long as you hit that mark in line you should, and I emphasize should, be ok depending on what'cha want.

It's only August and I'm already getting pumped...

Aren't we all! :multi:

It was the Best Buy in Grapevine. I know the NRH's BB by the mall had people in line last year by noon -- our friends were there at 3 pm and talked to the people in the front.

And I moved here from the Ohio/Michigan border.. I remember the cold snowy Black Fridays!

oh ok, cool. so did your friends that went at 3pm get all they wanted? doorbuster-wise, i mean?

i guess i better try and convince the wife to plan to have T-giving dinner at 2pm or something...

where in OH/MI? I grew up in the Plymouth/Canton area in Metro Detroit.

oh ok, cool. so did your friends that went at 3pm get all they wanted? doorbuster-wise, i mean?

i guess i better try and convince the wife to plan to have T-giving dinner at 2pm or something...

where in OH/MI? I grew up in the Plymouth/Canton area in Metro Detroit.

We always have T-Giving @<hidden> my aunt's house... at about noon... so this year I plan to skip it and just have my brother bring me a plate.

Usually people before the fifty-ish in line get prety much what they want. But be careful. If you're #31 in line and they only have thirty laptops, everyone in front of you better not want a laptop. :runaway: Fortunately people want different things on the doorbusters list, so long as you hit that mark in line you should, and I emphasize should, be ok depending on what'cha want.

Yeah, that's a good point. I'm not too worried about it. I'll try and get ALL the doorbusters if I can... haha!

Two things that we REALLY need are a new computer (laptop or desktop will do) and a new digital camera (using the same one for 3.5+ yrs, Kodak 2.0mp). If I can get at least those two items I'll be a happy camper!

Last year I drove by our Best Buy on Thanksgiving morning at around 5am on my way to Meijer to get their Thanksgiving Day deals...there were already at LEAST 50 people in line....this was THANKSGIVING MORNING, a full 24 hours before Black Friday even started

It really does depend on your area and what deals you are hoping for...we went to best buy about 1 hour after it opened on BF and they had NONE of the deals left...including the smaller deals that you might think would be there...nada

Yeah, that's a good point. I'm not too worried about it. I'll try and get ALL the doorbusters if I can... haha!

Two things that we REALLY need are a new computer (laptop or desktop will do) and a new digital camera (using the same one for 3.5+ yrs, Kodak 2.0mp). If I can get at least those two items I'll be a happy camper!

Uh oh. Those are the two hottest items on anyone's doorbuster list. Better not plan on bein' hungry for thanksgiving. :eyepoppin

Just a lil' word of advice for all you folks planning on hopping in line: On thanksgiving day before BF, if you do show up at a store and the line is waaaaaaaaay too long to have any shot at that doorbuster, don't get too discouraged. Drive around and look at another store's line. Lines may be shorter at less popular areas than in others.

For example, if your local Best Buy closest to 'ya has about 100 people in line by the time you get there, drive to the next nearest Best Buy and look at that one. Still too long? Drive to the next closest until you find one that's just right. Perhap bring a phone book with you as you go around to look up all the different locations.

Just F.Y.I. :yup:

Uh oh. Those are the two hottest items on anyone's doorbuster list. Better not plan on bein' hungry for thanksgiving. :eyepoppin

yeah, i'm not too worried about getting the camera though. they usually have a TON of those in stock anyway, since they're so small. Two years ago, we were in line with my sister at about 3:30AM and about 200-300 people back and my sister still got the doorbuster camera. fortunately, that's one of those things you're more likely to get.

yeah, i'm not too worried about getting the camera though. they usually have a TON of those in stock anyway, since they're so small. Two years ago, we were in line with my sister at about 3:30AM and about 200-300 people back and my sister still got the doorbuster camera. fortunately, that's one of those things you're more likely to get.

Two years ago, perhaps. From what I've noticed, people have been starting our lines alot sooner and lines get much longer every year. And it all depends on which camera you want. They usually have a few dirt cheap ones that everyone wants and goes to the first few dozen people in line who ask for it, and a few that's probably more expensive and/or not as popular or more in stock. We'll have to see.

Two years ago, perhaps. From what I've noticed, people have been starting our lines alot sooner and lines get much longer every year. And it all depends on which camera you want. They usually have a few dirt cheap ones that everyone wants and goes to the first few dozen people in line who ask for it, and a few that's probably more expensive and/or not as popular or more in stock. We'll have to see.

yes, i understand this. it was the front page door buster camera that she got. 5mp kodak if remember correctly. basically the dirt cheap one that everyone wanted. it was over 70% off or something. all I'm saying is that we were a couple hundred people back and she STILL got the doorbuster camera, meaning that they typically have ALOT of the popular doorbuster camera because they can store alot of them in a small area, compared to a desktop computer or 40"+ flat panels. I also understand that the lines get longer every year. I've been doing the whole BF thing quite a while myself. I was just merely pointing out the fact that, in my experience, they usually stock quite alot of the digital cameras (at least at the stores i've been to).

I think we're having some miscommunication here. Hopefully this post can clear it up a bit. :D

Go Black Friday!

yes, i understand this. it was the front page door buster camera that she got. 5mp kodak if remember correctly. basically the dirt cheap one that everyone wanted. it was over 70% off or something. all I'm saying is that we were a couple hundred people back and she STILL got the doorbuster camera, meaning that they typically have ALOT of the popular doorbuster camera because they can store alot of them in a small area, compared to a desktop computer or 40"+ flat panels. I also understand that the lines get longer every year. I've been doing the whole BF thing quite a while myself. I was just merely pointing out the fact that, in my experience, they usually stock quite alot of the digital cameras (at least at the stores i've been to).

I think we're having some miscommunication here. Hopefully this post can clear it up a bit. :D

Go Black Friday!

My bad, then. :gdshocked: Guess it all really depends on the location and store you go to. Just kinda surprised me that she managed to get that.

So anyhoo ...
:gdbacktopic:

yeah, no kidding! i think it ALL depends on the location, ya know.

Anyway, so what time is everyone camping out at???

I'll most likely be at one of the only two Fry's Electronics in the state (the one in Phoenix, other one is 30 minutes away in Tempe). I plan on doing drive-bys now and then from noon onward and wait 'till I start to see a line forming. Even though most people will be gettin the laptops and desktops, I'll be aiming for the cheap computer parts. Not gonna take any chances.

That's only a temporary plan, of course. Not really thought out or anything, just the current rough draft.

yeah, a rough draft is about all you can do at this point. who knows what stores are gonna have the best doorbusters and deals, ya know? at this point all we can do is make 'rough' plans and wait for the ads to start leaking, which is when we'll have to completely change those plans... haha!

will probably get to best buy around 2 pm my buddy will be the one doing most of the camping since I did last year :D

We go to walmart first. It's the only store close to us. We will get there about 4 am. after that we stop at home to unload and then head out to do the rest of our shopping.

We go to Best Buy we go every year between 6-8am on Thanksgiving Day...sometimes we are first sometimes there are others in front of us but there is alway the same family some where close to us and we tailgate in the Best Buy parking lot, the kids play then later on in the evening the little ones get picked up by Grammy and the rest of us play cards or board games it is always a lot of fun.

I save the turkey for a sandwich after shopping....:yup:

wow... 6-8am on Tgiving day... i'm amazed. now YOU are a TRUE BF soldier...
hats off to you and the fam.

I love being first in line and at my Best Buy you have to be there early to get that honor...We bring a tent and an air mattress it is soo much fun.

I usually only get there 1 hour before the doors open. I am really not into electronics or anything like that so i kow i dont have to get their early for those items. but you never know, it might change this year. just have to see what the ads bring, lol.

I am wanting laptops for the kids this year as well as a couple of the smaller HD LCD TV's or maybe another larger one so I can get the 32" Westy from last BF for my bedroom...Just gonna have to wait and see what Best Buy is having this year.....Come on Black Friday or at least BF ads....;)

yeah, I would LLOOVVEE to get one of those huge flat panel HD tv's... unfortunately I don't think it's in the budget for now. We're trying to get the mortgage paid off in 15yrs (instead of 30) so there's not too much extra $$$ available.:)

yeah, I would LLOOVVEE to get one of those huge flat panel HD tv's... unfortunately I don't think it's in the budget for now. We're trying to get the mortgage paid off in 15yrs (instead of 30) so there's not too much extra $$$ available.:)

Yeah I hear you on that....I start saving every Aug for the following year Black Friday...this year thanks to the survey forum I have amazon gc's to add to my Christmas shopping...Thank goodness for GottaDeal:D

Is getting in line at BB on Halloween too late?

Is getting in line at BB on Halloween too late?

Although you'd definitely be the first in line, you might smell a little. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Sick/N1yuck02.gif

Thankfully I don't need electronics. So I avoid Best Buy and Circuit City like the plague. Just too crazy for me

I usually hit Walmart first as they match items then usually Target and Walgreens. Last year Walmart matched most of everything I needed and Walgreens allowed us to check out before 6:30am (supposed to start at 7am) so I was home by 7am. Nice quick BF for me and I got 100% of everything as well as some impulse buys

We went to WM last year about10p and nobody was in line. We ran up the road and came back and ended up being about 4th in line. the line didn't really start getting long until about 2-3am.

Is getting in line at BB on Halloween too late?

Honestly, many years from now, as I've noticed people tend to get in line earlier every year, that really wouldn't surprise me one little bit. Just bring lots of waterless shampoo, plenty of deoderant, a large suitcase, mini fridge, grill, and maybe a portable generator for your laptop so you don't have to call in to work for a month. Just set up a tent and you're guaranteed one of those plasma-screen hdtv's.

Isn't it sad that people like me actually think up ways to pull off this stuff?

:gdpsycho:

:lmao:

Is getting in line at BB on Halloween too late?


uuuuuummmm, No.....you don't live in Oklahoma do you??? :eyepoppin

:sidesplit

haha, now THAT'S what I call DEDICATION!!! yeah right, now that would be CCCCRRRRAAAAZZZZYYYY!!!! haha!

Honestly, that wouldn't surprise me one bit. Few years back a brand new Kohl's, a mega-huge furniture store, opened up just outside Tempe on the I-10 freeway. They offered a prize to the first 100 or so people in the doors. Don't remember what it was exactly, but the bid deal was the rumor that Kolh's ws giving the very first person in the door a new complete home furniture set. The dude that won it got in line a FULL WEEK before they opened. The lady that came in second got in line a few days later. Now that is what I call dedication. :shock:

I'm wondering if the trend of offering BF deals online may start leaking to the Doorbuster items.

think of it, if you drive the people to the websites, you can eliminate that bad press of grannies getting trampled on BF. Not to mention not having to deal with the overhead of allocating stock in the stores.

That may be one of the new wrinkles this year. At least I'm thinking that may be...

-Mike

I'm wondering if the trend of offering BF deals online may start leaking to the Doorbuster items.

think of it, if you drive the people to the websites, you can eliminate that bad press of grannies getting trampled on BF. Not to mention not having to deal with the overhead of allocating stock in the stores.

That may be one of the new wrinkles this year. At least I'm thinking that may be...

-Mike

Most of the press I've seen has been positive towards BF, but I've also seen the media warning about BF and the images they play of those poor grannies getting stampeded. Don't think that happens much anymore since most places now have plenty of security.

Far as offering doorbusters online, Best Buy did that last year with most of their doorbusters. If I recall correctly, the items went from offline to IN STOCK at midnite or something and you had to be pretty quick on the click. I got the 250GB external hard drive online. Not a doorbuster, but a sale item. Did notice they had the cheap desktop and laptop from the doorbusters, but they went very fast and was out of stock real quick.

There will be no need to go wait on line sooooooo long and waste my Thanksgiving day! Last year I got my 51" Hitachi CRT Projection for $699 online from Bestbuy and I went to Staples at 2am to get the Mio Digiwalker and 400gb external hard drive. I made out well.

I'm leaving now:eyepoppin Just kidding. My money's on Best Buy for the best deals this year. I HATE rebates!!!!!! I can't wait until the ads come out. Time wise really depends on the weather.
Kristy

They just opened a new Super Walmart here this year so for the first time I'll be able to go in on Thanksgiving day as well as BF. :) I just hope they remember those of us that are mobility challenged when they are setting out the pallets of doorbusters for BF. I have to use a scooter to get around in there and some areas are hard enough to navigate already with stuff crammed too close together. The clothing depts. are really bad about that. I'll also have to get there early anyway to get a scooter to use since they go faster than a good BF electronics deal (some people who DON'T need them will get them anyway :mad:) but the bright side is that if I can snag one, for once I won't have to worry about being hit in the back of the leg with a cart. ;)

I need a laptop for my oldest son. Will probably have to camp out at best buy which is something I have never done in the past. I don't usually go to Best Buy until later in the afternoon as it is way down on my list - I usually price match items that I need from there at WalMart but this year with the computer, I don't see that happening.

usually I haven't needed the electronics so I hit the stores with the best deals on whatI need or FRYE's electronics, but I would LOVE to pick up a laptop this year... and a wii but I hope to buy that this month because I don't think it will be part of b.f. Never had a problem getting cameras, scanners, etc. because it seems like there is just so much competion that the stores around here have so many of them..jmo

not sure! Depends on what they are offering this year and for what prices.

Honestly, that wouldn't surprise me one bit. Few years back a brand new Kohl's, a mega-huge furniture store, opened up just outside Tempe on the I-10 freeway. They offered a prize to the first 100 or so people in the doors. Don't remember what it was exactly, but the bid deal was the rumor that Kolh's ws giving the very first person in the door a new complete home furniture set. The dude that won it got in line a FULL WEEK before they opened. The lady that came in second got in line a few days later. Now that is what I call dedication. :shock:


I think you meant the Ikea store, Chief.

Most of the press I've seen has been positive towards BF, but I've also seen the media warning about BF and the images they play of those poor grannies getting stampeded. Don't think that happens much anymore since most places now have plenty of security.



During BF '05 those poor grannies tried to stampede me. :gdgirlfight3ol:

During BF '05 those poor grannies tried to stampede me. :gdgirlfight3ol:

You gotta keep your eyes open for some of those grannies. They mean business and they'll do anything to get what they came for, including knocking you over into a endcap of Elmo toys if you get in their way...

What you mean this isn't the line for the BF wait...ohhh I guess they are giving out iPhones in this line....dear me.

Yeah I hear you on that....I start saving every Aug for the following year Black Friday...this year thanks to the survey forum I have amazon gc's to add to my Christmas shopping...Thank goodness for GottaDeal:D

I'd give anything to be in that spot. I *just* started doing surveys though. I'm not sure if I can make it happen in time.

not sure! Depends on what they are offering this year and for what prices.

I second this

I'll get in line around 5am. There's nothing I want bad enough to make me line up anywhere on Thanksgiving Day!

I second this

yeah, i think this is the case with most of us. I know I can't 100% guarantee on a starting time myself until I've seen the ads! But, with that said, I'm still pretty sure that I'll be out there pretty early on BF eve... aka Tgiving.

For Best Buy or Circuit City, you're going to find that 4 or 5 pm is much too late if you want any door busters. You need to plan for around noon on T-Giving. Honest. And it's in the 30s on Thanksgiving here in PA.

And as Black Friday gets more popular as years pass, that time is going to get earlier and earlier.

But to answer your question, we go to Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot, and I only go 1/2 an hour before they open and usually end up with 90% of the things I want. OfficeMax is the best -- they always have plenty of doorbusters in stock and they're organized, I go there first and I can usually go in and get out with everything in 10 minutes.


Noon is too late as well. Remember last year BB and WM released there official ad on Monday and Tuesday before BF. There were reports on this board and other boards about people starting to line up Wednesday night. In Plano Texas there were already 300 by noon.

Last year my Best Buy already had people on Weds night. We go early on T-Day 6am-8am at the latest we are always in the first 5 of the line somewhere but this year I just don't know because of the people in line on Weds. it may start a trend but I will not go before Thurs am...so I will see what happens...this T-day so happens to be my b-day so cake at BB this year...lol

I'll get in line around 5am. There's nothing I want bad enough to make me line up anywhere on Thanksgiving Day!

i'm pretty much the same. thanksgiving is a big thing in our family for some reason, plus my brother's birthday is falling on thanksgiving again this year.

....

unless of course there's a super deal on a 32" LCD tv... or a new laptop for the future hubby.

Last year my Best Buy already had people on Weds night. We go early on T-Day 6am-8am at the latest we are always in the first 5 of the line somewhere but this year I just don't know because of the people in line on Weds. it may start a trend but I will not go before Thurs am...so I will see what happens...this T-day so happens to be my b-day so cake at BB this year...lol

Now THAT'S what I call celebrating!

Happy Bday!!! (on Tgiving, that is)

I went to the outlet mall last year and left around 10pm and got stuck in a huge traffic jam on the interstate. It was crazy. The line stretched all the way from the mall back on to the interstate for a mile and a half. I didnt get there until 1:30 or so just waiting in my car just to get off the roads. It was insane. I plan on going to the outlets after I get my doorbusters from Walmart, Targets, BestBuys and so on.

It seems every year it gets earlier. We went T-Day 10am and was 5th in line @<hidden> Best Buy
:eyepoppin

Last year I think we got to WM around 4am. We live in a small town and not too many people get into the whole BF thing. We also have a SWM so we are able to get in whenever we want to and wait inside.

We got to BB about 6 ... I overslept last year! I almost cried when I woke up and figured out what I had done!

Last year I went to Super Walmart, so I got there at about 4 a.m. It was nice and toasty inside :D

Won't know until I see what they have and it there's something worth waiting for... if not probably 4am for the normal stuff... if there's something big I want I went at 10pm last year.. will probably go 8ish or so this year.. would like a better TV so I might be waiting...

Midnight

That is strictly confidential information!:gdparanoid:

What did you do to pass the time last year while waiting in line?

We got to BB at noon on Thursday and were numbers 3 & 4. The guy that showed up after us had a generator in his truck and a tv with him so he pulled the extension cord out and we watched the football game. Across the street was a Boston Market so we all took turns going over and getting our turkey dinner. :D

As the night progressed people started pulling up to us and asking what we were waiting for...and I kid you not...one of asked what store we were waiting to open :eyepoppin

After the 20th time we started sorta messing with people telling them the store was giving away a Geek Squad car, free turkeys, stuff like that. The sad part is they believed us.

The way my wife got me into line was to tell me, "It's just like tailgating". I'm a die hard tailgator, so we'll setup the grill, the canopy for some shelter, the radio, and if the generator isn't in use at the cabin, we'll bring it in to run some DirecTV to watch the game, or, if enough womenfolk gather around the back of the 'burban, whatever programming they'd like. I also reccomend playing cornhole, blongo-ball/Ladder Golf, Washers, it's a great way to gain friends, fend off the cold, and strategically form allies for making sure you each/all get the stuff you want once the doors open.

The way my wife got me into line was to tell me, "It's just like tailgating". I'm a die hard tailgator, so we'll setup the grill, the canopy for some shelter, the radio, and if the generator isn't in use at the cabin, we'll bring it in to run some DirecTV to watch the game, or, if enough womenfolk gather around the back of the 'burban, whatever programming they'd like. I also reccomend playing cornhole, blongo-ball/Ladder Golf, Washers, it's a great way to gain friends, fend off the cold, and strategically form allies for making sure you each/all get the stuff you want once the doors open.

Wow thats sounds so cool. Can I go shopping with your family?

I'm from WI so it gets pretty chilly around turkey day. I go deer hunting the weekend before and come in insulated coveralls and a 5 gallon pail to sit on. Then I can store a few beers, some snacks and a blanket in there. (dont let people see you drinking, a group got asked to leave by the cops last year) then I just talk for a while then end up napping for a couple hours then wake up at like 3am ready to go

Thankfully we do not have to very long to wait. DD and I usually just spend the time chitchatting and going over our "game plan".

I take my pda so I can play some games and, if I happen to be somewhere like BB or CC who has free wifi, I can check email and surf. Mostly I just try not to freeze.

I just chat up the people around me in line- it's the best way to pass the time while protecting your own interests. I've found that making a few friends in line can really help about 10 mins before the doors open. :)

Wow thats sounds so cool. Can I go shopping with your family?


C'mon up, the more the merrier I say; Course, we're about 1300 miles north of Birmingham up here, and ya might want to bring some warm clothes ;-)

I usually get there between 4 and 5 - but it depends on what it is I'm waiting for. I also lived in NY my whole life and froze my you know what off until the store opened. We just so happened to move to Florida this year so I could probably suffer in the 60 degree weather longer than the sub zero temps.

It depends on what I need and what's in the ads. Last year I didn't do Best Buy so I really didn't have to spend my night outdoors. I waited outside a Walgreens for about 15 minutes with some other people and then went to another Walgreens (m&m's for goody bags...) and then I did Harbor Freight for my brother (the lines inside were bad, but I was the only woman shopping and chivalry is not dead in the south) and then another Walgreens on the drive home. My brothers picked up my stuff in Staples for me. THe rest I had done online or came home and completed online.

Probably 12 am.

No overnight waiting for us......

We try to be in the shopping area by 6 am, which mean getting up at 4:30-5am. Depending on how hard that 4:30 wake up is, we might start out a little later ;) .

I got in line at WM last year at 1030 pm on Thanksgiving to be first...so this year I will have to up it a little.

I'll get in line around 5am. There's nothing I want bad enough to make me line up anywhere on Thanksgiving Day!

That's me, I might show up around 3 am to my local Wal-Mart (which just became a Supercenter so no freezing my buns off this year, woohoo). I don't normally go for the big ticket items, unless you count the toys for the kids.

I'll get in line around 5am. There's nothing I want bad enough to make me line up anywhere on Thanksgiving Day!

check those great black friday videos to find out just where in line that will be!:eek:

Last year in Chicago it was freezing cold and the line started at 8pm. I'll probably b

Last year it was freezing cold and the line at Best buy started at 8pm. I was 15th in line and got everything I wanted. I'll get there the by 7pm this year.:smart:

Best Buy last year at 4pm. This year at 2pm.

BB 3pm last year, this yr 12-1pm. At number 20 last yr, hoping to be at least number 5.

I am sure this may change, but since I am not looking for any major items I am thinking of leaving home at 4AM for my first stop.

WOW! I have been black friday shopping for years and I feel like a newbie. My nearest BB is Altoona PA that just opened last year. I was really wanting to go this year and get a computer and a laptop but to stand in line 24 hrs? How do you all do it? How do you keep warm? And what if its raining or sleeting? What about bathroom breaks? Any suggestions? Thanks all.

Well, it depends on my work schedule! I should be off work by 11pm, so, that means that I'll probably be doing my shopping at Walmart or Ace for a new bike. I don't need to camp out at BB or CC or any electronics place this year, thank God! I already have my laptop and my tv is holding up..lol.

WOW! I have been black friday shopping for years and I feel like a newbie. My nearest BB is Altoona PA that just opened last year. I was really wanting to go this year and get a computer and a laptop but to stand in line 24 hrs? How do you all do it? How do you keep warm? And what if its raining or sleeting? What about bathroom breaks? Any suggestions? Thanks all.

To keep warm if you live where it gets cold, dress in layers and wear a coat and remember to bring gloves. Also, those hand warmer things that Target and places sell work wonders. As for the rain and/or sleet, I normally bring a poncho to wear over my coat in case it rains, so I stay fairly dry. For bathrooms breaks, either bring someone with you to keep your place when you need to run off to the bathroom or have someone come and relieve you every few hours. Normally either I go with DH and if one of us needs to go to the bathroom we just drive to the nearest convenience store or grocery store to use their bathroom while the other waits in line or I have a friend who is more than happy to come by and take my place in line for a few minutes while I hunt down a bathroom if she's not already waiting at another store.

I live in Arizona and I've been doing BF for years now; for 3 out of the last 5 years I was in the top 10 to the door for best buy's BF.

Things have changed DRAMATICALLY in the last 5 years. Year 1 I went to best buy at about 1 AM the morning OF black friday and ended up just rounding off the top 10 people in line. Year 2 I went to BF at 10:30 PM the day before and was about 3rd in line with my group. Year 3 I skipped (trips). Year 4 - I went at 4:30 PM the day before right after I finished eating and I barely made top 10 (within seconds of another group). Last year I made a choice to not go even earlier because I still wanted to eats dinner... so at about 4:00PM on Thanksgiving again last year I went to BB to see over 200 people in line.... I drove to the next closest BB to see at least 100+ still in line.... drove to the next and by that time all of the locations i went to had over 150+ in line. I finally found a circuit city at about 7:00 PM that had only 15ish in line so I jumped in.... counted up ahead of myself to find that only 3 ahead of me wanted their doorbuster computer... guess what (they only had three) I was really upset because BB typically has at least 10 items minimum for even the best doorbusters so I was very pissed after waiting all night.

Two morals to the story:

First off... NEVER do Circuit City black friday... I tried them once out of desperation last year and even in the top 15 I got royally screwed by their crappy doorbuster quantities.

Second, for some reason BF is turning into a competition amoung the populus.... everyone wants the best deals and is willing to forget about thanksgiving to have them. This year, if you aren't in line by about 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Thanksgiving there is no chance of getting in the top 10 for BB. I personally will only wait in line if I'm in the top 10 again because after getting screwed over, I will only wait for "sure things". Hand warmers are your friends if you are willing to wait through a full night by the way.

This year... I'll probably do a drive by after eating to make sure the lines are already long but if they are for BB I will be sitting out BF this year for the first time ever (aside from my trip) as it just is starting to become not worth the trouble =p.

I don't usually go for any of the door busters, so I probably get to Wal-Mart (usually my 1st stop since it's 24 hr) at around 4-4:30AM. Last year, I think, I was done before lunch and got everything on my list.

Seriously... I think it depends what they have. If the store has something HUGE on sale... then, IDK, say... midnight? Some where around there. Like I said... it really all depends on what they have or what I'm going for. 14 Weeks til' Christmas!!! YAY!!! :smirk:

I live in Arizona and I've been doing BF for years now; for 3 out of the last 5 years I was in the top 10 to the door for best buy's BF.

Things have changed DRAMATICALLY in the last 5 years. Year 1 I went to best buy at about 1 AM the morning OF black friday and ended up just rounding off the top 10 people in line. Year 2 I went to BF at 10:30 PM the day before and was about 3rd in line with my group. Year 3 I skipped (trips). Year 4 - I went at 4:30 PM the day before right after I finished eating and I barely made top 10 (within seconds of another group). Last year I made a choice to not go even earlier because I still wanted to eats dinner... so at about 4:00PM on Thanksgiving again last year I went to BB to see over 200 people in line.... I drove to the next closest BB to see at least 100+ still in line.... drove to the next and by that time all of the locations i went to had over 150+ in line. I finally found a circuit city at about 7:00 PM that had only 15ish in line so I jumped in.... counted up ahead of myself to find that only 3 ahead of me wanted their doorbuster computer... guess what (they only had three) I was really upset because BB typically has at least 10 items minimum for even the best doorbusters so I was very pissed after waiting all night.

Two morals to the story:

First off... NEVER do Circuit City black friday... I tried them once out of desperation last year and even in the top 15 I got royally screwed by their crappy doorbuster quantities.

Second, for some reason BF is turning into a competition amoung the populus.... everyone wants the best deals and is willing to forget about thanksgiving to have them. This year, if you aren't in line by about 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Thanksgiving there is no chance of getting in the top 10 for BB. I personally will only wait in line if I'm in the top 10 again because after getting screwed over, I will only wait for "sure things". Hand warmers are your friends if you are willing to wait through a full night by the way.

This year... I'll probably do a drive by after eating to make sure the lines are already long but if they are for BB I will be sitting out BF this year for the first time ever (aside from my trip) as it just is starting to become not worth the trouble =p.


Agree with u and cities around Mexico´s frontier have a bigger problem. I´m from Mexico and i dont mind stay in line all night long but "black friday word" is reaching more and more people evey year and obviously, the pursuit of the doorbuster is harder that the previous year.

This year will be my 5 black friday and every year i have to consider get in line sooner that the previous year.

First year, i got in line about 6 pm a day before Friday (i was the second in the line). Next year, 10 in line at 4 pm.

Last year, 55 in line at 3 pm.....

This year? Who knows?

Will Probably hit the local Walmart about 11:00 - 11:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Night. If they lock the doors early and open at 5:00 a.m. some years they have closed and other years stayed open...go figure...will decide if I want to go to Walmart or Target and head there around 12:30 ish a.m. maybe earlier it will depend on the sales. :gdclock:

This year starts my third decade doing Black Friday sales....I began BF'ing in earnest in 1986.

I've noticed that the time to show up was fairly consistent until this decade when the 'net began spreading the word out so much.....now every year the time to show up in line gets earlier and earlier.

Two years ago, I tried midnight and ended up 35th at BB and 9th at CC (wife and I split stores when we have to.)

Last year we concentrated on BB.....I arrived at 11AM on Thursday.....couldn't stand it any longer and finally gave in and drove the 2 1/2 hours it takes to get to BB from our house out in the sticks. I was first by a long shot.......but living so far out it's either go or suffer.

This year....really depends upon what's on sale and where. Fry's, Microcenter both are over 3 hours away, and while both have good sales, their two stores they have in ATL are both in poor locations and I wouldn't trust either to have my wife sit outside any of their locations, which is why we usually bypass both stores.

BB, though, is in a much better location.....nice shopping area in Augusta, GA.....and is usually where we end up. This is especially compounded by the fact that Sears, CC, CompUSA are all within a mile or so of BB. So makes it very easy to hit CUSA at midnight and return to BB....and then hit Sears after BB opens. Add to this that BB has stopped the rebate idiocy on almost all their BF items, and BB becomes an easy choice every year for us.

But this year, looking at Wednesday evening for show-up time. Personally, I don't have a problem with being too early....it's too late that drives me insane. Was first in line at BB last year and intend to replicate that this year.

Wife thinks I'm crazy, but I think it's fun and I'm willing to put up with the lonely hours in front of the store. And being first does have its rewards......become the de facto line marshal during the wee hours of the night. And you have first crack at every single ticketed item that's a doorbuster.....and at least our BB we frequent has no policy on limits on doorbuster tickets other than one ticket per item per person....so you can have as many different ticketed items as you want, just one of each.

I just love BF!!! :)

I am will probably be in line 3:30am-4am :2wiggle: depending on which store I start at. I have a child so camping out at 2pm on Thanksgiving :eyepoppin until the store opens is really not an option for me!

Maybe, I might just show up early at BB and wait in line just like everybody else.

We usually go to Meijer around 4:00am, but last year when we arrived people were already in there with their carts filled. Does anyone know when the best time to arrive at Meijer is? Thanks

We usually go to Meijer around 4:00am, but last year when we arrived people were already in there with their carts filled. Does anyone know when the best time to arrive at Meijer is? Thanks

Last year at our Meijer, there were some people who showed up at midnight to wait for the big tvs, I think they had 7 in stock. So, as usual, it just depends on what you're going for. I got there between 3 and 4 (I think) and had plenty of time to get one of the 19" flat panel tvs. I'm hoping their ad this year is as good as last year's. At least they let us wait inside the store :)

We got to BB about 6 ... I overslept last year! I almost cried when I woke up and figured out what I had done!

I had to work on Thanksgiving last year, because of that I also overslept! I woke up just before 5am, started yelling, called my mom, burshed my teeth/pulled my hair up and ran. We got to Wal Mart in town just as they were opening. I was soooooo disoriented!!

I was still able to get most of what I was after though!

I live in Chicago land area.. and it is always COLD!!! but hubby and I always are in line by 5:45am usually at Walmart or Best Buy... depending who has what.

Seeing what everyone is posting, I may have to do a drive by at WM to see if a line is forming around 8p.

I don't usually go for any of the door busters, so I probably get to Wal-Mart (usually my 1st stop since it's 24 hr) at around 4-4:30AM. Last year, I think, I was done before lunch and got everything on my list.

same here..thats what I did.

Hey I am in Phoenix! I was at the Best Buy at I-17 & Thunderbird last year. I got into the line at about 4pm and was number 40-ish in line. Got every door buster I wanted though.
ME TOO! I was in line at about 3pm and first in line! Yeah! Me my mil, my sil, my sil partner, my husband, and my fil. We were quite a sight.

Just depends on the sales this year. Since Wal-Mart has done away with layaway I expect them to have a GREAT ad to make up for all the money they are missing out on by not offering layaway anymore. They may surprise me but I hope not. I am betting on Best Buy and Walmart and maybe Target offering the best deals. I am hoping that someone has a PSP bundle on sale for a great deal.......PLEASE:razz:

Last year me and my crazy cousins were in line at 2:00 AM at Kohl's for the Magic Bullet Blender, I know all for a but my mom wanted it! I am sure it will be early this year, fingers crossed for a Wii but not holding my breath so we will see!

2 years ago we got to best buy at 11pm, were bout 30th in line, last year we went at 7pm to check things out, there were already 50 people there :eyepoppin so we stayed. Not sure what we will do this year. If we decide to do best buy again we might drive there at noon (store is 80 miles away) and see. It will depend on the weather too.

I paced and paced then pushed out the door at 6pm t-giving because I couldn't stand the thought I would miss out by just a few minutes. I was first in line at bb, my kids were first there at cc, but when line moved were 4th or 5th in line. A lot of people came up and asked us when we got there, so I will probly have to go earlier this year. :yup:

Well I dont even know if I will be going this year :( I am pregnant and due between Nov. 19. and Dec. 19. I have a 2 1/2 year old that goes with me, so even if I don't have the baby than I still can't go early. I normally go to Walmart and than travel to the mall and all the bigger stores about 1hr 45 min. ride. Guess I will see what happens.

we went around 11pm and we had a good time sitting out talking to people we went to walmart and i wanted to go to best buy but that line had 100 people in line at 11am thanksgiving day so we didnt go there first we were in and out of wlamart within 20 minutes with everything we wanted then we went to toysrus and i didnt want nothing there so my sisters were waiting in line while i went to best buy to check it out and when i got there at 730am i got what i wanted my 22inch monitor there was a clerk that told me he couldnt sells those till tomorrow and i told him that i wanted one and he went to talk to his manager and i got mine thats what i wanted and i got it

We are planning to be at BB no later than noon on Turkey Day. We'll probably get there sooner than that. But that's the latest.

I'll be leaving the house around 4am. Hopefully it won't be freezing this year!

Wow, you people really are hard core. I guess, since I don't have kids (yet), I'm not going nuts for the hot items. My strategy the last few years has been to hit the 'less' popular stores first (around 4am). Last year, I went to Strawbridges (when it still existed) for a watch for DH and $10 coupon for first 100 in line. Got in line an hour before opening and got the coup. Then I hit the other joints in the same mall as they opened (KBToys...walked right in, Macys...walked right in), and then I headed to the crazy stores around 5:30-6:00 (Target and Kohls) and again walked right in w/o line and got everything I was there for. Then down the road to TRU and WalMart after the rush and got everything I wanted (medium lines at checkout). My last stop was Lowe's for my poinsettas and tools for DH. Home, gifts sorted, and napping by 11am.

I'm gonna do the midnight madness thing the chelsea premium outlets does. I'll get there around 10 or 11.

I already posted on this thread but I am revising answer. I am pretty sure I will be in line by noon on Thanksgiving. MY mom said she would bring DH and I thanksgiving dinner :gdlicklips: .. I have 3 laptops to get. My kids want lap tops for xmas. We are bringing one of my kids with me.. So Dh will buy one , I will and DS 1 who is almost 20 will be buying one.. That is all they are getting for xmas besides some of the new Wii games and PS3 gams that are coming out later this year .. I sure hope they have a great lap top deal or I guess I will just get them all at Dell after bfll.. We are also looking for a 42 inch or larger plasma or LCD 1081 HDTV.. I also hope they have a gps system for me for xmas. I want one in my van since I tend to get lost alot :gdparanoid:

I'll be getting to Best Buy around 1pm this year on Thanksgiving.

Getting in line time all depends on where we go.
If going to Walmart will get in line about an hour before the doors open.
Last year we went to Meijer's and they stayed open all night and BF prices start at 5 I think, so we got there about an hour before prices started and got everything we wanted and got in line.

I refuse to go to the BB near us, they camp out early morning the day before, and they don't seem to stock very well.

We usually plan on WM first, but it depends on who has the deals, they were pretty dissapointing last year. I'm hoping they're better this year.

:gdbees:

Last year I went to the BB in Saginaw, MI at about 6PM. That was way too late!! I asked a few people and the first people were there at about 10am with a bunch showing up around noon. I didn't get the computer I wanted, but I got everything else. I don't know what I'm doing yet, waiting for the ads.

Last year i went around 8pm on Thanksgiving day and was the forty something in the line....and then there were those bastards who were cutting when the gates opened. Good thing is i got what i needed =)
This year i will hitting early around 5ish or 4. I need to get me hands on the flat panel LCD and a laptop =)

Undecided right now, if I decide on Walmart first, then I'll be there between 12 and 1am(Super Walmart, so I can stay warm).

Right now, it all depends on who has the best quality sewing machine for cheapest, because that's what I want the most this year.

Just thought I'd share. My sister sent out an email stating that her friend has never done a big Thanksgiving and would like to host it this year...what did everyone think. I replied that I would let my ex know so he and the kids could attend as me and DH would be camped out in front of BB on Turkey day. So she replies, "you've already decided to camp out? You don't even know what's on sale yet!"

hehehehe
Like that matters! BF at BB what could be better :D

Anyone else's family think they are nuts for missing Thanksgiving to camp out?

I posted this on another thread, but it answers your question directly:

<<In today's hectic world, there only about two days that people pause and take a break from the madness - Thanlsgiving and Christmas. They are the two days each year that at least in my case the family can get togther, visit, work together on the dinner, and just enjoy each other's company. Even Easter has kind of lost this purpose, at least in our area. On Thanksgiving itself, I may hit Kmart real early if they have something good, but the rest of the day is family time. I'm sorry, but there's no bargain that BB or WM could offer that would make me consider giving up my Thanksgiving to wait 12+ hours in line for.>>

I know on this forum this will be considered heresy, but some things are just more important than saving a few bucks. Family and family traditions are one.

I know on this forum this will be considered heresy, but some things are just more important than saving a few bucks. Family and family traditions are one.[/QUOTE]

HERESY I say!!!! My BF camp out will create even more family memories when I complete my theater room all thanks to BF with an extra couple thousand in my pockets! :eyepoppin

Assuming that most of the key stores open at 5:00 AM, how much earlier are you planning to go out and get in a line on BF?

(i.e. What time do you expect to arrive at the first store and get in line, not leave your house.)

For me, leave the house at 3:00 to be at (maybe WalMart but who knows)...5:00 a.m.

Well our family tradition is to camp out at least for the past 13 years we have done this and have family & friends come join us...now we have another family that we have been doing this with for the past 3 years.

We get there in the am set up the kids throw the football around, play tag, ect...we snack, play cards, watch tv on the portable, play computer games and then someone gets turkey dinner. We all sit down outside best buy eat and play...we have wonderful family memories doing just this...

I voted for 4 AM but it depends on how good the deals are this year.

I voted for 4 AM but it depends on how good the deals are this year.

:yup:

Well, it really will depend on the sale items. If there isn't anything that I have to have that is going to go fast- I'll only arrive at the store about 4:45am. If I need to wait in line it could be much earlier.

I said early thanksgiving day because I went at 3pm last year on turkey day and depending on the sales it might be 10 am this year ..:cheesy:

It all depends on the store.

i'll be at the midnight opening of the outlets. i'll probably get there around 10:30.

depends on the store i pick. gotta know your locations, i know my area pretty well now.

Wednesday at 9 pm!

My vote all depends on Best Buy and if I can get me a slim DLP for a decent price

I voted for midnight too because I want to go to the outlets that open then. I will then head off the my first store, Best Buy or Walmart, depending on the deals.

I voted 4am...no matter what store! I can't get out of bed much earlier than 3:15am and be able to function. :)

I always get Wal-Mart out of the way first, so I'll get there around 2 or 2:30 (24 hr store), find ALL the things I'm pricematching (mainly movies! lol), then around 3:45 or 4, I go stand next to the wrapped pallet that another early shopper has identified as having my most-wanted item(s) and mentally plan my attack (which direction to go, which aisle, etc. to get to the other pallets as quickly and painlessly as possible)! :D

Depends if I "need" to go out there. If there are items this year that do not appeal to me as doorbusters or anything, I will go out an hour or so early for parking reasons. If there is that one item that I "need" I will go out much earlier.

please note, i've merged the thread created from earlier today with the previous thread.

Please search before starting a new thread. Thanks!

I voted 4am...no matter what store! I can't get out of bed much earlier than 3:15am and be able to function. :)

I'm usually like that too, but I change everything around for BF!:yup:

I go to bed as early as possible:g_zzz: -- shut the bedroom door, cover windows, run a fan to cover background noise, if needed. Set an alarm for midnight. My store is only about 15 minutes away, but I give myself those 2 hours to wake up:gdmornincoffee:, review my plans, etc.

I can take my time getting ready and thoroughly enjoy the stillness and quiet of an early late fall morning :fluffy:. It's probably the only day of the whole holiday season that I'm not rushing to get somewhere!:juggle: :(

And when things do get hectic as Christmas gets closer, I can stop-- take a deep breath-- and just for a moment, go back in my mind... to that peaceful morning when life wasn't flying by so fast that I couldn't stop for a moment just to enjoy "the most wonderful time of the year! !":holiday16 ;) :holiday16

please note, i've merged the thread created from earlier today with the previous thread.
Please search before starting a new thread. Thanks!

Sorry, freesia39, didn't know I could add a poll to an existing thread. MCW :)

undecided right now...still waiting on some ad's

Sorry, freesia39, didn't know I could add a poll to an existing thread. MCW :)

no problema, that's what we're here for.

For Best Buy or Circuit City, you're going to find that 4 or 5 pm is much too late if you want any door busters. You need to plan for around noon on T-Giving. Honest. And it's in the 30s on Thanksgiving here in PA.

And as Black Friday gets more popular as years pass, that time is going to get earlier and earlier.

But to answer your question, we go to Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot, and I only go 1/2 an hour before they open and usually end up with 90% of the things I want. OfficeMax is the best -- they always have plenty of doorbusters in stock and they're organized, I go there first and I can usually go in and get out with everything in 10 minutes.

Where in PA are you? I'm in PA also, south of philly...I went in line around 11pm last year at BB...was about #70 in line....by midnight it wrapped around the building. Also, about the weather...it was rainy and freezing last year and everyone still came out...with all the line jumpers it isn't worth sleeping out in that...this year i'm reverting back to about 3am to head out (besides, i got my 32' LCD HDTV last year for $480...so i'm cool :cool: )

I might go at 1am but i really havn't decided yet but, 1am sounds good though.

I posted that I would leave home at 4 am originally. We leave at that time to get to Denny's. I want everyone who is with me to have a good breakfast. I am not stopping for "I am hungry, thirsty, have to use the bathroom, or anything else. If you are shopping with me, take care of everything before you leave the house.":smart:

I leave as soon as I can get everyone out of my house from dinner.....Gotta get in line for those Midnight sales!!

I normally don't go for the ticket doorbusters, so I can normally just around about 4 am at CC and send my husband to BB at the same time. Last year, I was in and out of CC in less than 10 mins. :)

If I am going to get in line for any 'doorbuster' type deals, I will probably queue up on Thanksgiving afternoon. I went out around 7 PM last year and barely got what I had waited all night for.

We are all nuts... whats wrong with us... lol

so disney store here in AZ is supposedly opening at 2 am (per the employee). So I'm at a loss for what time I should get there to line up.

this is my main stop this year (and then i'm on to target).

any ideas for when i should get there? i know from working at this mall the doors will be locked, but i'm wondering if i park by the main entrance if i can get in around 10-11pm.

this is my first year trying to toy shop. :gdparanoid:

Ya'll are scaring me! I don't want to give up my Thanksgiving with family. If we're going to have to start getting in line days in advance, I wish they would move the date!

in recent years past we always made it a point to go to our local walmart about 2:30 - 3:00 in the morning only to be about 75 -100 people back with the first person lining up around 10pm or so. this walmart however now will not let you line up for any early event such as game release and of course black friday before 12 midnight. If you line up before then they ask you to leave their property and will call the police on you if you do not leave. add this to their chicken **** approach to not letting their ad be seen early maybe going to walmart should be crossed off my list this year and ill just find somewhere else to line up about 2:30

It will probably be around 2:30 depending where I decide to go first. Wal-Mart is still a remote possibility which if they do have a Nintendo DS for cheap it will probably be closer to 11:00 pm. If that is what I'm after at Wally world you can bet I would try to be the first in line for that item.

Holly- don't let the posts alarm you. A lot of the people who are posting about Thanksgiving Day line-ups are usually lining up for BB or CC. There are a few places where Wal-Mart might pose that possibility. Last year was the earliest I went and it was around 2:00 am. Usually I leave home sometime around 3:00 am and have plenty of time to get what I'm after. ONE THING THAT HELPS ME KEEP UP A POSITIVE AND FUN ATTITUDE- Everything I get that day is a bonus buy. Very few things will make or break Christmas and if I feel there is something that would do that I make that store my first stop.

Can anyone tell me h big line there will be on bf at target?

The wife and I used to get to Best Buy about 30 minutes before it opened, we never really were after the "big ticket" items only some "medium" ticket stuff and DVDs. I got a great deal on a Yamaha Receiver and JBL Speakers a couple of years ago (not advertised) and there was still a bunch left, but I digress.

But now that we have a 10 month old, that's probably not going to happen. I'm still debating if I (by myself) need to get there early for the X360 with Guitar Hero II. Sadly, I think the importance is dying out, and I'll probably just go when my daughter wakes me up, 7-8am.

this depends on where i am headed....... still waiting on walmart ad, toysrus, and any 'secret' sales that pop up!!~~

last year my husband called me (I was at my mom's) and told me that people were lining up in the detroit area at best buy at noonish...... (it was already nine pm) se we decided to drive out see for ourselves!~~ and sure enough lines wrapped around best buy like you wouldnt believe!~~tents set up. i was amazed being that it was my first black friday experience :eyepoppin --so we went to one super walmart and it was packed so we went to the other one and no one was in line!!!~~ whooohoooo!!~~ we asked the manager where we could sit to wait for the 5am secret sales. he got chairs for us and put us in the old layaway and then came back and asked what the sales were lol!!~~ no one had any idea on them -- lots of things all wrapped up in isles in boxes. i absolutely LOVED it!!~~ but then we were first and not last, and we were joined by others around 11 then around 1am the line was fairly long and people were all surrounding the crates not knowing what was where. (they had put things all over the store, the portable dvd players were back in the garden center it was crazy!!)

this year all depends, if deal are good we will head again around ten pm to that walmart and wait it out. we were inside so no weather plus the store was open so we could get snacks, and drinks, and the bathrooms were right there~~

too much fun :cheesy:

wendy

honestly, i still say anyone lining up thanksgiving day is a bit kooky - i don't think there could ever be a deal that would make me do that! i know a lot of people do it for cheap computer deals, but i think past years have shown that these tend to be rather poor technology with limited features, etc.

i was thinking i would just go out around 5 this year, until i found out some places are opening at 4 - ugh! so i'm still calculating when i need to leave

am i the only person who just doesn't go to sleep? that way works much better for me than trying to get up after only a few hours - i can't function!

Where in PA are you? I'm in PA also, south of philly...I went in line around 11pm last year at BB...was about #70 in line....by midnight it wrapped around the building. Also, about the weather...it was rainy and freezing last year and everyone still came out...with all the line jumpers it isn't worth sleeping out in that...this year i'm reverting back to about 3am to head out (besides, i got my 32' LCD HDTV last year for $480...so i'm cool :cool: )

I live in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown.

Well I am going to rent a Winnebago on Tuesday.

:smart:

I live in Berks County, between Reading and Allentown.

Bally? Boyertown? Pennsburg? I gots kinfolk in that area.

Bally? Boyertown? Pennsburg? I gots kinfolk in that area.

Nope... none of those.

Nope... none of those.

Just as well I suppose, wouldn't want it to appear as if there was any special preference given when I attain moderator status.

Luckily this year we won't be buying anything big like electronics or anything so there won't be a need to head out Turkey Day to stand in line. I'm planning on just hitting the smaller stores first like Walgreens for the HM dolls, Old Navy, and maybe Ace Hardware then we'll hit the bigger stores after the rush. So I plan on getting out around 4 am on BF - get some breakfast to wake me up!!

I hit BB last year at 6 PM Thanksgiving night and was 20th in line. By midnight there were several hundred people in line. This year I am thinking about 1 to 3 PM ish. Wife thinks I'm crazy, but my list of 8-10 items will save me over $800. Long wait, but it's kind of fun!

Tim

I don't know if i will even be waiting in lines this year, the sales don't seem to be good enough for me to freeze my you know what off for hours.:rolleyes:

Still working on my strategy but it is sounding like I have to get out by early afternoon. My plan is to try to sell stuff on ebay for a profit. Maybe I can make a couple hundred bucks in a day. Has anyone else ever tried to make a profit? Did you have success? What items were most profitable?

honestly, i still say anyone lining up thanksgiving day is a bit kooky - i don't think there could ever be a deal that would make me do that! i know a lot of people do it for cheap computer deals, but i think past years have shown that these tend to be rather poor technology with limited features, etc.

i was thinking i would just go out around 5 this year, until i found out some places are opening at 4 - ugh! so i'm still calculating when i need to leave

am i the only person who just doesn't go to sleep? that way works much better for me than trying to get up after only a few hours - i can't function!

I think some of the laptops are several hundred dollars cheaper if you are one of the first people in line. So if you divide that by how many hours you spend waiting then decide if it is worth it.

I think you are crazy to go at 5 when the stores are completely packed with a line just to get in and then you are not even getting the best deals.

Just my opinion.

1am sounds moderate and 1am it is

So does anyone know what time people start lining up at the BX/PX? We haven't been to the BX early on BF since we were stationed in CA and lived on base. I forget how early that was.

I think im going to do a couple of scouting missions but we are looking at about 5pm...i have an awesome sleeping bag and air mattress.

I guess alot of people Voted for thanksgiving day

I am probally going to be on line at CC at around 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. I do not want any big items just the cheap Wii accessories and CD's hopefully that is early enough.

Looking at the ads this year, Looks like Im sleeping in. The stores are are being cheap this year. You think with gas prices over $3.00 a gallon, and needing to sell a lung to pay for your heating bill, they would be more generous on the sales!, Unless there is something good in the T-Day ads, I think I will wait till the weeks following, to see if they drop their prices more.

Midnight!!! And before then I will be on here. Last year I had so much fun staying up with everyone!

At our superwalmart they are open 24 hours so no waiting outside and since I live in a rural area there are LOTS of walmarts and few people in them. well fewer then in the bigger cities. So I only get there at about 430 have done so every year and I have gotten all that i want. Now this year if they have some electronic item which is very cheap then I might get there earlier because i am on the look out for a new digital camera and a new TV for my husbands play room.

Wow BF what A Big Day

so any one going to the best buy by the parks mall in arlington? im think of being there around may be 3 to 4:30pm on thursday but im not sure if its early enough.

About 90 mins

wow about 1/4 of the people who voted are going to wait online from 5-11 on thanksgiving day

This will be the first year I'm not heading out at all

We were out last year to Best Buy at around 2 PM, and was first in line. A couple of other people showed up about 2 hours later, then it became busy. Had a great time, better than a few years ago at CompUSA. Some people rushed the door, not those waiting in line, and it became a stampede. Was thrown into shelves and crushed, had quite a few bruises.

This year, will head out at similar time, nothing is overly exciting, but our oldest daughter and her fiance' want a few items, so we'll be out for support. My list is short this year, nothing in the ads caught my eye, or budget.

This is my second time doing the shopping in DFW, my first time was two years ago and I was disappointed with only one store that I didnt make it to in time to get what I wanted. I miss doing BF in Florida, cause we nearly ALWAYS got what we wanted.


Hearing that last year ppl were already in line that early I guess I'm either not getting the one thing I want,or I need to get in line earlier. But I dont think I could do an all nighter by myself Thursday. So it looks as if I'm not going to get it then :(

Yikes. I shouldn't read these. They make me nervous. My plan is to wake up whenever on Thanksgiving Day, grab pack (crochet materials so I can make xmas presents while I wait, layers upon layers, captain's chair, thermos), drive to father's which will magically take me by my best buy of choice so I can scope things out. Then I will eat, make tea, put layers on, head out to sit in my car until a queue forms. That should be by early afternoon Turkey Day. Last year, the Best Buys in the area (northern suburbs of Chicago) had people lining up by about 6 PM. I should make top 10 (goal!), but if things go badly... a new bb just opened that I hope not that many people know about. That's the good thing about my area. Lots of best buys.

Anyone else have experience with the lines in the Chicago area? Should I go earlier? Does the fact that they're forecasting snow mean i can wait a bit?

Rumor has it (from a co-worker) that there are already a couple of tents at the Best Buy near my office. It's 10:55 a.m., and she saw this on her way in, which would have been 8:00 a.m.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:shock:

Rumor has it (from a co-worker) that there are already a couple of tents at the Best Buy near my office. It's 10:55 a.m., and she saw this on her way in, which would have been 8:00 a.m.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:shock:

Welcome to the community!


What location is this?

Looks like early Thanksgiving day for me. The things I do to save money!

This is my second time doing the shopping in DFW, my first time was two years ago and I was disappointed with only one store that I didnt make it to in time to get what I wanted. I miss doing BF in Florida, cause we nearly ALWAYS got what we wanted.


Hearing that last year ppl were already in line that early I guess I'm either not getting the one thing I want,or I need to get in line earlier. But I dont think I could do an all nighter by myself Thursday. So it looks as if I'm not going to get it then :(

This is my first year BF shopping in the DFW. What time did you go out last year?

Thanks to Kohls I will be in line at 3:30 friday morning!:D

Yikes. I shouldn't read these. They make me nervous. My plan is to wake up whenever on Thanksgiving Day, grab pack (crochet materials so I can make xmas presents while I wait, layers upon layers, captain's chair, thermos), drive to father's which will magically take me by my best buy of choice so I can scope things out. Then I will eat, make tea, put layers on, head out to sit in my car until a queue forms. That should be by early afternoon Turkey Day. Last year, the Best Buys in the area (northern suburbs of Chicago) had people lining up by about 6 PM. I should make top 10 (goal!), but if things go badly... a new bb just opened that I hope not that many people know about. That's the good thing about my area. Lots of best buys.

Anyone else have experience with the lines in the Chicago area? Should I go earlier? Does the fact that they're forecasting snow mean i can wait a bit?


ditto

This is my first year BF shopping in the DFW. What time did you go out last year?

Welcome to the community!

I am in Dallas and what store are you wanting to know what time to get into line?

Can anyone read the fine print on the BB flyer under where it says they will hand out tickets starting at 3am for the door buster specials?

if you can read it, could you post it please?

hm, i wonder is 10:00 pm at circuit city is too late to snag one of the laptop deals.

hm, i wonder is 10:00 pm at circuit city is too late to snag one of the laptop deals.

Welcome to community!


VERY late! I would say around noon Thursday.

Welcome to the community!


What location is this?


Niagara Falls Blvd location, Amherst (Buffalo) New York

Welcome to community!


VERY late! I would say around noon Thursday.

And how much is the savings? That's a long time to wait in line to save a few hundred bucks.

I don't need doorbusters, I just go whenever I feel like for small sales.

what if i want to go to bathroom during the waiting?
seriously, it is not a joke

Welcome to community!


VERY late! I would say around noon Thursday.

Thanks, I've actually been here for like a month =] and this is my first greeting... LOL =] But anyways, Noon?! thats really early. I'll just check the lines after dinner, and maybe a couple times before dinner =] haha! thanks for the tip.

Wow me going at 6 am seems so late compared to everyone else :tongue1:

Niagara Falls Blvd location, Amherst (Buffalo) New York

WHAT?!!? Are you not getting hit with the big winter storm?:confused:

I am in line already at my local BB. Got here at 8:30am, there are already 20 people in front of me. Last yr I was in line at 3pm turkey day and was #5. Hopefully I get everything I need.....

Just took a drive past Best Buy (well around 5pm) and there was only about 20 people in line. Of course they take all the doorbusters so your SOL at this point. I am sure by now that number has at least doubled.

I'll be in line at Target by 4am- it opens at 6am. I have no big ticket items that I am getting (No Kids, et cetera) so hopefully the DVDS that I want, I will have no trouble getting. :fluffy:

Has anyone gone to target before on BF? How early do the lines form. I was at BB last year and at 9pm there was around 70-100 ppl. By reading some of the target bf's, 3-4am should be ok to get the olevia. Does that sound about right?:confused:

I show up at target no later than 2am if I am desperate and this year I am. I want the external hard drive and the nintendo games DS and Wii. BB and CC I avoid because you have to camp out all day and night to get anything. Last year I spent 18 hours camping at wal mart for a Nintendo Wii to get one the day they came out and that is never happening again.

WHAT?!!? Are you not getting hit with the big winter storm?:confused:

No big winter storm here in Amherst (Buffalo) area... just cold!!! :fluffy:

My husband and I went by the BB in Amherst around 7pm and there was about 30 people there already tonight. There were tents and RV's!