backpacktwc

Massillon, Ohio.

Misses - Star Theatre, electric guitar, definitely clothes. Hits - Oldest son's Canada Trip, remote control cars, airplanes, and a rocket. I think the rocket was the best. We launched it from the park near us. We got three launches out of it, before the parachute strings burned. The kids want to get the rocket shaped like a port-o-potty. I may have to oblige them, as I'm the biggest kid of them all.

I'm really bummed this year, I will not be able to participate in the BF festivities. Unfortunately, I cannot get out of working. I have 11 years in, but still the low man on the totempole. My wifey is going to have to do double duty. Hopefully, this year will have better stuff than last year. It almost wasn't worth going out last year.

Here are my tips. 1. Definitely scope out the stores the night before. Wal-Mart is the exception, because they wheel items out that morning (ours are 24 hours). 2. Do not get a cart, I've seen fist fights over a cart. The exception here is Kohl's, my dw and I tag-team. We'll get a cart and get in line, while the other is retrieving items. Works like a charm. We usually do Kohl's last, we'll get luggage or some other odd item. IF they don't have it, they're on sale the week after for about $10 more. 3. Have a game plan figured out before going. It is always better to be over prepared than winging it. You'll have a better chance of getting what you want. 4. The first store, window shop when you get there, try to find what you want so when the doors open, you can go right to it. 5. We avoid CC and BB, electronics suck. At CC you stand in line for a day and a half, hopefully get an item ticket and spend all day checking out. 6. We make a shopping list of not only BF items, but what everyone wants/needs, sometimes you find clearance or other items while looking for something else. 7. Dress in layers, too hot take off, too cold put on clothes. Usually by store 2, you're sweating to death anyways. 8. Take snacks for in the car, or store. I'm diabetic, and if my sugar goes too low, I'll pass out. Sip, don't gulp, or you'll have to pee everywhere, taking away valuable shopping time. 9. The most important one, set two alarm clocks. One year, I set my clock for 4 PM, not AM. If one is wrong, you have a backup. Needless to say it was a bad BF year, with little in the ads, got up at 6 AM and still got all but one item on my list. Don't fret if you don't get something... 10. I lied, the most important thing is to look behind everything. People hide items they can't afford or hold. I've gotten many items this way. Good luck, but don't get in my way! ha ha. No really!

I think of all the money my wife is going to spend, and it burns me up...ha ha. Layers are the way to go. Of course you're doing a striptease by the 2nd store.

Dear Santa, I've been a really, really good boy this year, and was hoping to get the Logitech io2 Digital Pen Digital Writing System from you. It will really show off my pocket protector, and become a great companion of my slide rule. I will love writing input and downloading the output onto my computer. I'm so excited, I'm sweating...heee, heeee, heeee<pushing up horned rims>. If you could get this for me, I'll have my mom bake you your favorite sugar cookies with m&m's and red sprinkles, and top it off with a great big glass of milk. My mom says I'm getting too old to live at home and need this pen to help me find a good job so I can get out. I'm living in the basement with my cyber pets, and a vintage Apple 2e. Please Santa, help a geek out!!!!! Your friend, Backpacktwc... PS, I promise not to wet the bed this year, if you give me the pen...

I've heard of Radar Love, but not Hindi Love...That's very funny. I've only ever seen fights break out, never anything strange yet. I may have to move towns this year to try and catch some action...ha ha.

I just got a new Target by me, I'll probably just go there and KMart and everywhere else we normally go, and leave Walmart alone.:gddrama2:

I'm inclined to agree with the self proclaimed economists on this thread. Supply and demand make pricing key. If you've been watching the stock market, retailers (other than WM) are losing money every month. It would be nice for WM to lose money this month, and come in below forcast, so that they can start to lower their prices in anticipation for the BF buying season. Other retailers watch what they do and imitate in some form or fashion. I think retailers are going to look for the lower margin profits for the holidays, based on quantitiy, rather than higher market pricing. Even though retailers are lowering prices now, they will lower them even further. Just need to watch out for the falling dollar and lead paint.

This is a fabulous idea, I hope it happens. I would have loved to have known this last year!!!!!

We usually go to KMart, but only if they have something I want. Wifey volunteers us to host the family Turkey Dinner, in which she sits on the couch and I cook all day. By BF, I'm already dead on my feet.

I've never been involved, being a big guy, but I've seen plenty of cat fights. You women are viscious. In my 4 years, I've seen some real bloody fights over stupid stuff that's not really that well marked down. The best ones are when the store manager tries to break them up, and gets caught in between the two boxers...

We have to come home, and relieve the father-in-law, who's frantic and panicky, even though the kids haven't woken up yet. Last year, we made it home before 10 after 10 stores, I was happy. I'd love to sleep, but breakfast wakes the kids.

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.

I've done both in the past, but this past year it seemed as though the retailers caught on and didn't offer the specials online like they have. I remember one year, I went to Lowe's for power tools, they were out, and got online before noon and got the item shipped to the store for free at the discounted price, and once at Kohl's, I was able to get it after midnight, but neither one seem to do this any longer.