AZwildcatsR1

Being a teacher myself, I like what someone earlier said about "it's the thought that counts." Honestly, I love a handwritten note from a student and/or their parent telling me how much they appreciate me even more than the little trinkets they bring in. In fact, I keep all such notes in a stack in one of my drawers -- any time I'm feeling down or have had a particularly bad day, I take them out and re-read them. :) That being said, I had a really cute gift idea from one student last year that I stole for my own kids' teachers this year . . . a spirit bead necklace (or Mardi Gras beads) with a $5 gift card to Starbucks attached to it (and some ribbon and a little thank you note attached, too) that I had to wear around my neck all day. :) Really cute!

I found this on HP's site while looking for specs on the C712NR Laptop I picked up on BF: http://h30014.www3.hp.com/offers/us/detail.asp?id=1439&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN Free Snapfish Photo Calender and 100 Digital Camera Prints Qualifying products: Any HP PC (excludes refurbished products and demo units) Purchase between: September 30, 2007 and February 2, 2008 (Claims must be made online by March 2, 2008) To claim, go to: www.snapfish.com/hhostorepchol7 Enter the model number (C712NR) and the serial number (found on the outside of the box) to have your snapfish account credited. (Shipping and handling still apply.) :)

Staples was amazing this year! Got in line at 9:30pm (I was 4th). They opened the doors at 6, but only let about 10 people in at a time. Got every single thing on my list without having to fight a soul, went right up to the register to pay, and was back at home in bed by 6:45!:) My items: $350 Laptop and HP printer combo $125 TomTom $50 Digital photo frame $18 4 GB flash drive $48 PNY 2 GB DDR2 memory $20 20-mile walkie-talkies $18 Targus notebook chill pad, cordless mouse, and photo plus 4x6 paper GRAND SAVINGS = $770 (Plus a free $20 gift card to Staples).

Check this link: http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/products/071118/merch015889/index.html This ad says online only. Note, however, that the laptop doesn't list the free printer with it. Maybe that's the penalty for being in our warm PJs instead of in line all night.

I had the same problem with a Compaq a few years ago. Bought a Toshiba BF BB doorbuster replacement for it two years ago and it's been awesome! Doing some research will definitely save money and frustration.

And, at our store anyhow, you can only redeem 3 at a time (for a total of $9).

9x4f7kx57r75 -- found a cap laying on the ground and don't use these. Free to 1st.

Brad, et al: Last year you had that awesome feature that allowed us to check items from each store that we wanted to purchase -- it created a shopping list of sorts for us. I've searched for it again this year, but can't find it. Are you going to do that again? And if so, what's the link or search words that will help find it? I LOVED that feature and hope you'll do it again!

Last year, GottaDeal had that great feature that allowed you to put a check by each sale item offered by store. Once you picked your item, you could print off the entire list for that store. That's what I took with me. It was awesome -- I hope they do it again!

Around $300 in actual cash for each of 2 kids -- but this is after getting all of the great door buster items (which means the before sale price means it's more like $500 -- so they think they're getting a lot, when I didn't actually spend it!) :)

Dang! What a Great idea! The computer is fine, but I would have loved a flat panel monitor for the one I got.

Always -- I don't grab a cart, don't "browse" around for anything not on my list, and try to be out the door and on my way to the next store before the rest of the line has even gotten inside. Having anyone tagging along with me would slow down the process!!

Yes -- but only until I put it this way to them: Last year, I stood in line at BB from 3:00 Thanksgiving Day until opening the next morning. I saved $1500. That's like getting paid $100 an hour! I didn't look like such a nut to them after that!

1 ticket per item in Mesa, AZ. I had 3 tickets last year (laptop, desktop, TV). Also, used the "Personal Shopping Assistant" to check out MUCH quicker in the back of the store vs. standing in the long lines.

Not strange, but actually pretty clever . . . a lazy boy chair of all things!! Guy got there at 3:00pm Thanksgiving day and wanted to sleep comfortably! We heard him snoring . . . so I guess he did!! :)

The same here in Mesa, AZ. The first 10 were the sale price, the next 5 or so were $118 more because they had "pre-loaded" anti-virus software on them. Guy #11 got really mad about the whole thing. The kid handing out the tickets told him he'd be right back. When he came back out, he'd "found" another laptop without the pre-loaded stuff on it. Hmmmm.......

From Best Buy eMachine Desktop for $150 Toshiba Laptop for $380 Toshiba DLP Projector for $450 (AR) Toshiba 46" DLP HDTV for $1500 (2) 7' Portable DVD Players ($70 each AR) bags for the players above In short, everything I wanted!! There were 3 families in front of me (around 15 people total) when I got there at 5:15pm.

bump

BB here learned their lesson from that 2 years ago. So last year they handed out the tickets and then had you go pick it up from a part of the store where they'd cleared out the merchandise, stacked all of the ticketed doorbusters, and blocked off all access to them by tables and a bunch of workers. You handed them your ticket, they walked back to the pallets, and then handed you your item. Very cool.

Tony -- Are you wanting anything from BB? And where are you planning on going? BB is my big spot, but I really want the $50 GBA from WM. I'm the only one going out for BF because the rest of my family thinks I'm nuts. :)

Bummer . . . you're about 2 hours too far away!! :) Want to come up to Mesa?

Illusion -- we went in to check out all of the TVs personally and I'm glad we did. We thought we'd go for the 51" Plasma Toshiba at first, but fell in love with the 46" DLP instead. Better to make that kind of decision ahead of time in a calmer environment!!

Yes . . . one of the few perks to being a public school teacher.