Daisimae

No, it hasn't. But I keep a HUGE brand new plastic tarp in the car, just for this reason. It's large enough to cover over me sitting in my chair, on all sides down to the ground. I usually go to CC or Staples first. Both stores have overhangs near the front door. So, if I get there early enough the over hang and tarp should handle the problem if it is raining.

Staples Acer Laptop 3613LCi w/ Celeron M 370 1.5GHZ/256MB/40GB/Combo Drive - $449.94 from: http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/2005.txt

Yes Tina, I have those issues too. But, I use this laptop mostly for work. An I keep my sound muted because I hate webpages singing and talking and the computer beeping/dinging at me. Occasionally, I have played a DVD or video on here. I use my headset so I can hear it better and I don't disturb anyone that way either. The only thing I do regulary using sound, is listen to Live365 internet radio and that comes in very loud.

I think you will have to go a long way to find a laptop that isn't Vista compatible or can't be made compatible easily. I have the $200 laptop from CC last year and it is Vista compatible. My Sony desktop from five years ago will be compatible if I add a 256mb of RAM, same goes for my old Sony laptop. They aren't the higher end models either.

I'm one of those people who almost never goes. For one, I go before I leave the house. And, two, I start limiting fluids about 12 hrs before I get in line and only sip while I'm in-line. I use the same strategy for traveling. I DETEST public restrooms. The interesting thing about standing in-line with strangers for 4-12 hrs is that, even if you don't speak to each other much, a peculiar bond takes place so that you will hold spaces for each other like friends. This is how, I manage to leave the line to pack up my "camp site" a 3:30am and also to go to the ladies room, which is usually a short drive away, if necessary. I was a solo shopper last year and probably will be this year too, since my shopping buddy moved to NC and my Sister is in MD.

For the last six years Staples or CC have not failed me for my first stop. So I will probably be at one of them. Close to the bottom or last is always Wal*Mart. I go there, sometimes just to survey the damage.

I carry snacks in my bag to have while I am waiting in line. For breakfast I bring snack cakes, a la Hostess, or Drake's to eat around 3am, then I pack everything back into the car. Staples and CC begin to bring out the hot item tickets at 4am and they serve DD coffee while they are doing it. So then I'm all set. I keep a bottled water with me, just in case, I get bogged down in a line inside, but that rarely happens.

I don't know if you were responding to me, but, I am in MA too. I usually shop in Framingham or Taunton/Raynham, where there are large concentrations of stores. Last year, I shopped in the Taunton/Raynham area.

Before last year, I used to leave the house around 2am. It was in plenty of time to be in the front of the line at CC or Staples and get the hot items. I was going to leave last year around midnight, but figured that may be too late for the laptop I was going after. So, last year I arrived at the CC parking lot around 8pm and I was NOT the first person in line. This year I will be in a parking lot someplace by at least 6pm, guaranteed. I don't care if I have to sit in the car and wait for a few hours before other people arrive. I was right about the laptop issue at CC last year. We got out of our cars at about 10pm. If you weren't in line by 11pm, you didn't get one.

I love this machine Ross. It was the best deal I've ever got on a computer. I'd like another one like it this year for my hubby.

I live in MA. Generally, I wear 2 layers of pants, the first is stretch pants, the second is jeans, I'm considering a third layer of oversized sweatpants for this year. I can take them of outside the car, if I put them on over my jeans. Then, three layers on top, a turtle neck shirt, sweater and then a very heavy sweater. The top-most layer can be taken off while I'm in the checkout line. For my feet, (which always freeze anyway), two pairs of socks, one VERY heavy and sneakers or boots. The tops of the socks are tucked under the stretch pants so no cold air will get in there. For my hands one pair of gloves and one heavy pair of mittens. I also put those little heat up packets in my socks and mittens. For my head, I wear a hat, ear muffs and a hooded scarf. My coat is a heavy down storm coat, that reaches all the way down to my ankles. It also has a hood with a drawstring. Since I will probaby end up outside at 10pm, I count my blankets as clothing. I have one flannel-backed vinyl blanket that I line my chair with. It keeps the wind from rushing thru the mesh of the the chair. The flannel side is towards me. Then a thermal blanket on top of me and a twin size comforter over that. I also have a light weight fleece blanket to drape over my head shoulders and face. That was a life saver last year, because the wind was very biting. I think I may try the Therma-Care idea this year. I'd never thought of that. For those of you who said you think forget something, preparation is key. I pack the van a few days with my chair, blankets and a small bag that has reading material, water, snacks and anything else I think I will need. (Well actually, hubby packs it all up, I supervise. It's the least he can do, because he doesn't go out shopping with me.) When it comes time to leave on Thursday evening, all I have to do is get dressed and go.

If you have an e-mail address that you can set up filters and alerts to like Yahoo!, you can set your e-mail up to get a text message when ads come out. If your cell phone has net access and an e-mail account, you can also use that e-mail account as the one you subscribe to updates with. The e-mail has a link to the ads, which should take you right to the listings. This is how I got updates last year and was able to check GD.com when I was away from my computer.

I pack a small bag for the camp-out the night before. The ads are in there. When we put everything back in the van in the morning, before the store opens, I keep the ad of the store I'm on the way into. After that I only take the ad of the store I'm going into at the time. I usually don't carry a purse on BF. My iPod Nano , earbuds and cell phone go into one of my pockets. For money I carry one or two debit cards. If anyone finds it on me, it won't do them much good. They will be getting arrested.

CC's $199, AR laptop from last year. I'm using it right now!

CC hasn't been a bad place for me to be. I've been in the first 10 people in line for the last two years. I know exactly what I am looking for, get it when the door opens and then make a beeline for the registers. When I get out, I usually head to Staples. If I'm still standing after that I prefer, Target or WM in that order.

Actually, last year the Staples I went to had associates, going up an down the checkout lines asking people if they needed anything thing else. They would go get what you wanted and bring it to you. It was very helpful. Not exactly instant, but, it helped save steps and time.

SE, Mass.

It depends on what we need. I usually start at Staples or CC. If I start at one I'll go to the other second. I know I will never start at Walmart or Best Buy. Walmart is usually my last stop. Best Buy waits until later inthe weekend.

I have lists back to 2002 on my other computer. I saved them, because back then some lists were being removed from sites. So I always copied and pasted them.

I like to watch the people who drive up 30 minutes before the store opens. The look of shock on their faces is priceless! It's also interesting to see the line progress overnight.

Sometimes I talk to the people around me and re-study my sales circulars. Last year it was too cold to talk. I spent seven hrs outside in a chair with a hood and blanket over my head, to ward off the wind. I had my cell phone headset in one ear and an iPod ear bud in the other. I alternated between calling family and friends and listening to my iPod. When you are close to the door it is easier to do this. I was second in line at CC.

A chair I have. Now I want a TENT! http://www.decathlontent.com/

I didn't go to BB on BF. Your experince is one of the reasons why I hardly ever darken BB's door. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your ordeal. It's very sad when you have to go to a store armed with their own fine print to get what was advertised. I think all this bait and switch, false advertising and upselling is getting out of hand. Retailers seem to look at customers as wallets that they can try to snatch as much out of, by any means necessary, including outright lies and even if their tactics are fraudlent. I also hope you have recovered from your frostbite.I was at CC Thursday night at 8:30pm and sitting outside from 10pm until store opening. I did get a laptop there. I know how you were feeling out in the cold all night.

They are a great company. I've never had any problems with them.

Mine went into the mail first thing Monday morning. Small amounts though, all together the four of them equaled about $35.