buffaloguy

We hear a lot of horror stories about how Black Friday brings out the worst in people ... how about some stories about nice things you did or saw done? I got to Gordman's about 5 minutes after they opened. They were giving a bag to the first 300 people and you got 25% off everything that fit in it. I happened to be the 300th person in the door and got the last bag. Two ladies were behind me and they sounded so disappointed (but weren't rude or obnoxious about it). Since I was there only for a couple pairs of fleece pants that were $4 each, I gave them my bag. I told them they sounded like they'd do more damage with it than I would! :) They were sooooo appreciative that I didn't regret it for a second! And at Old Navy, my husband tried on half a dozen jackets for a lady who was trying to buy for her son but she wasn't sure what size he was. He was happy because she told him he was skinny!!

I had 100% of my Christmas shopping for others done already (thanks to Gottadeal, Target Perimeter Perusing and other awesome shopping over the past few months). So today was just for me and my hubby and we didn't really have anything that would break our hearts not to get. It was nice to not have that pressure!! So we started at Old Navy at 4:30 and each got a few pairs of pants and tops - no line. Then we went to Gordman's and picked up a couple of pairs of fleece sleep pants for $4 each. Again, no line. Then we stopped and got a cup of coffee and muffin and decided to try Target, but when we got there, the first wave of shoppers were still in the 8 mile line, so we decided to come back since we really didn't want anything big. So then we went to Home Depot and got a steam mop and tool box - no lines. Then it was off to the mall and we picked up 1 thing each at Sears and Younkers (no waiting) and hubby found a few video games at Gamestop. We were in and out of the mall in about 20 minutes. Next was Petsmart (probably my favorite stop!!) where we got some treats and toys for 50% off for the doggies. Next was Office Max for a label maker, a couple of memory sticks and some computer speakers. Here was where our "no line" trend stopped ... we had to wait about 45 minutes in line, but fortunately everyone was in a really good mood and no one was cranky about it. Plus the next store we wanted to go to didn't open until 8, so it killed the perfect amount of time indoors!! Then we went to a couple of local stores and picked up some small items - no waiting again. Then it was back to Target. By this time it was about 8:30 so the mass initial rush had passed. I scored the last fire bowl and the last stand mixer, a couple of the inexpensive towels ... and it was so dead at that point that we even bought some necessities like dog food! It made the clerk laugh that we were buying dog food on Black Friday. So, all in all we managed to get everything we were looking for with *mostly* no waiting in line. Thanks, Gottadeal, for helping with another Black Friday success!!

This year was so easy - it was the first year we didn't wait out in line anywhere. I bought all the video games we were originally going to get from Gamestop at Amazon.com and got free shipping and saved like $11 in tax. Went to Target right when they opened and it was WAY too crazy there - the past few years I did price adjustments there but this year our store (Wausau, WI) said they wouldn't do it. So my DH and I just left. We didn't want any "big ticket" items, so we went to Old Navy which was also too crazy and we left there also. We went to the mall and got a reversible down comforter at Younkers - I scored the last king sized one in chocolate brown. Then we went to Home Depot and got a price adjustment on the washer/dryer I bought over 3 weeks ago. The manager was totally accommodating and sweet - even though they originally price matched Best Buy, I was still able to get another $180 back!! So at this point, I had spent $20 on a comforter and gotten $180 back on my HD credit card!! We went to Shopko and got a coffee pot and some gloves for about $20 - no line there. Then we went home and made a turkey! I also hopped online and was able to order the things we wanted from Old Navy with no issues (and free shipping!!) About 3 p.m. we went back out to Target and I was able to get everything I originally wanted (mostly bedding and housewares) with no lines and no waiting. Plus I had a bunch of gift cards, so I got $120 worth of stuff for $12!! Awesome!! Then we went to Menard's and the few things I wanted were still around, so I spent another $15 there and came back home to rest. Overall a perfect Black Friday - one in which I came out ahead due to my Home Depot price adjustment (at least that is how I like to think about it!!!) Thanks, Brad and the gottadeal team for all you do!!

Looked like 3 people outside at Best Buy in Wausau, WI when I drove by. No one at any other stores that I saw. But then again it is 30 degrees here and set to get colder and wetter!!

I asked at my local Target (Schofield, WI) last night and was told they will not do price adjustments for BF. I have successfully done them there the past couple of years, so I asked why. She said they had gotten notice that their BF ad leaked and now Targets corporate-wide would exclude those 2 days every year from their price adjustment policy. I told her that the ad leaks every year and she said "This is the first we've heard of it." and I told her about other stores saying they will price adjust and she said "Well we won't." I had a copy of the PA policy I printed online and asked where it said any exclusions for BF (either there or on the store signs) and she said it would probably "be in the ad" and they WON'T do it. I am asking again when the nice lady I usually talk to is working!!

Home Depot has an LG set for $800 on Black Friday (down from $1200) - HE/front loading. I actually bought these about 10 days ago now and love them! They are super quiet, the washer uses a ton less water and they fit a whole bunch of stuff! Plus Home Depot offers free delivery, setup and haul away of your old stuff!

Who will I punch first? Line cutters or toy snatchers? One fist clenched for each!!