I was in line at Menards at 3:30am (in parking lot at 3am) this morning. Part of it is the experience, part is that I know from last year what a free-for-all it would be & I had a few "must get" items.
One thing that has really ticked me off is the lack of security outside- no organized way of crowd control. Especially after that security man was killed at the Wal Mart, I think that any store that does not have and carry out a plan to allow an orderly entrance could and should be liable. As with last year at our Menards, there were a number of people who rushed the door at the last minute, pushing aside those who had been in line for hours. Last year there was a near-fight as the time got closer.
I was 5th in line, so when the doors opened at 6am, I got as far away from the crowd as fast as I could. The ironic thing is that I made a second trip about 10am, and the lines were a lot shorter & there was still a good selection. True, they were sold out of the very items I stood in line for, but there was still a lot there.
Will I do it again next year? Well, we first 5 people made a pact to meet there again next year. We took turns this year saving each others' place in line while we warmed up in our cars for a bit. It was an interesting experience.... we'll see....
