dad2trips

I have to add to Big Jim's comments - regarding city ordinances - my city actually does have an ordinance against setting up tents in retailer's parking lots. Obviously not enforced though. I too set up pretty early, but the store manager is aware and I keep him informed of the extent of what we are setting up.

Everyone seems real upset with the ad, but there are some really good deals in it. Most folks are probably disappointed there is no $179 desktop deal, $99 Netbook, or sub $200 laptop, but... A 46" LED TV for $1600 is incredible! If I needed a TV I would be getting this. These LED sets are amazing!! I just hope one of my friends or family members needs this because it alone would make the campout worthwhile. I do have at least one friend looking for a 32" LCD and the Sony 720p one at $377.99 is a deal. He will be using as his primary TV so I would not recommed the Dynex 32" at $299. I may pick up the 19" Dynex for my son. My sister is looking for a PS3 so the deal with two games is worthwhile. Sister in law and neighbor both need a monitor - the Acer 20" HD LCD is a steal - $80 off!. I will be picking up two of these. Getting the Insignia camera for my boy for Christmas - a savings of $50. Getting the 1.5 TB HDD for myself - another $50 savings. And finally I will probably pick up the Sony laptop for a co-worker. I think this is about $250 off suggested price. So I may be spending up to $3K at BB this year and will save up to $1900. Not sure what my BF companions will be looking at yet. I would say it is worth packing up my tent and spending some quality time in BB's parking lot.

I bought a 19" Dynex TV about a year and a half ago for $219 - a steal at the time. I have used it in my camper for a two seasons now. Very happy with it. At $129 net after getting the gift card this is a really good deal. I am considering getting one for my 12 year old's room.

LOL!

Awaiting the ads Often makes us drool like mad We have to thank Brad!

I hear you Big Jim! If I were to win I would take the $1000 gift card and forgoe the limo ride and early in. I too still prefer the thrill of the campout. Besides, my buddies would be pissed at me if I told them on November 24th that I won and was NOT camping out! Speaking of camping out... bought a turkey last night and plan to deep fry it in BB parking lot. Probably not something that BB would endorse though. Debating if I should clear it with the manager or just do it under the radar - but outside the tent! Last year he told me no open flames were allowed, but then again no tents are really allowed either. Worst case I put it in the oven at home and pop out to pick it up - less than 3 mile drive.

I assume you mean the night before BF... Last year we slept from 9 PM to about 11 PM in the tent. Pretty broken sleep though.

I got a second email confirmation today. "Processing Update" "Congratulations. Your story has been accepted in the Black Friday VIP contest. Winners will be notified by telephone, express and/or email on or about November 24, 2009."

In case you log into check your account it may show "No Activity Past 90 Days". All of my Pending has vanished. I called them - they know the issue is there and they are working on it.

I think he means the sale items that get announced late with the ad. The extra insert.

Looking forward to your Best Buy ad webcast! :)

The ad always lists a minimum quantity per store on the ticketed items. However, depending on the size of your store, it may have more than that minimum. My BB is very small, but they always have the minimum advertised and generally much more.

The closest store for me is 27 miles on Google maps. I guess if I win I will have to meet the limo 7 miles from my house. Too bad they don't do the gift card thing at every store. I can't see going an extra 25 miles to line up just to maybe win a $5 gift card. Best of luck to everyone! If you won last year tell us your story.

I buy gift cards at the local supermarket and get fuel perks to boot.

I use mine in conjunction with Drop Box. Drop Box is an internet site that always storage of files for access. I have an Excel spreadsheet I can access from my Drop Box folder - the spreadsheet has items I will bring for my campout and a separate tab for items to buy. I use Drop Box because my other campout companions can access as well. We each have our own columns for items we have to bring for the campout. I also have a link to Gotta Deal Forum of course!

A buddy asked me about this the other day. More of a question for the admins, but do you ever receive BF ads that are faux? How do you authenticate them so to speak? If you have gotten them in the past it would be interesting how overboard they were. Maybe post them in a spoof section?

We are already camping on Thanksgiving. I wanted to reply because my BF companions want to do a 'dry run' this weekend on setting up our tent. I personally called them rookies and that it wasn't necessary, but they offered beer - so I am in. Seriously though, we all agreed last year on some improvements to our setup and they want to try some things out - like a better door to get in and out to reduce heat loss. 31 days to BF!

I believe Dell has the DS Lite for $129 and the DSi for $169. The $130 price for the DSi is no longer available. http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?s=dhs&c=us&l=en&cs=19&k=ds+lite&cat=prod&ref=ac http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cat=prod&cs=19&k=dsi&rpp=12&p=1&rf=all&nk=f&sort=K&nf=%7e3%7e16036&navla=%7e3%7e16036&ira=False&~srd=False&ipsys=False&advsrch=False&~ck=anav I don't think BF would have a better deal than the $129 shipped that Dell will most likely have again. The best you could probably do on BF is a game/accessory bundle with the hardware. Still would probably be regular price though. I would watch the Dell site.

I would just make sure those behind her are aware you are leaving and will come back only to pay for the item. Someone joining the line just a few hours before the store opens always causes some eyebrows to raise. If you are only paying for it you can always come back after the store opens. If she is doing Best Buy the laptop will most likely be ticketed and she would have till 11 AM or so to claim it and pay for it.

Stores that threaten legal action to get sites like this to take down their ads.

Laptop or Netbook, another portable HDD, monitor for the neighbors - 20" or so, maybe a 19" LCD TV if a really good deal is on. Seeing Office Max ad today has me excited thinking BB will have even better deals.

I use a Verizon wireless card on my laptop when camped out.

I sent them a note. Is this your local paper Jim?

The other day my wife asked me if I was taking any extra time off the week of Black Friday. I guess she knows me all too well these past few years. Five years ago she would have asked if I was taking any extra time off the week of Thanksgiving. 39 Days!

Be first in line for the third year in a row.... and not be too upset if I am second.