MarkRaby

I find myself really agonizing about which stores to hit and when. Last year, it was so simple -- to JCP for the free snowglobe, then to Sears for the GC (even though I didn't get one... ), then to Best Buy to catch some of the non-amazing still-able-to-get-5-minutes-after-the-doors-are-open deals. This year, I am really torn between Circuit City and Best Buy as my "first" stop (first after CompUSA) and whether or not to camp out there or dash through JCP/Sears to get the freebies again. It's madness, I tell you! Madness! -Mark-

Yep. I've used $36 for one purchase, $45 for another, also $72, $144, and $300 each in different trips to Best Buy and have received nothing but pleasant cashiers with incredible checkout speed and service. You should be treated like I've been, and not like a common criminal. -Mark-

I've actually never gone to CC on BF. Have always hit Best Buy instead (for the past 2 years it was because of my BB Bucks). But this year, even with $300 in BB Bucks, I may actually be at Circuit City before they open this year (can't say I'll go there first b/c of the midnight opening of CompUSA). But then again, that's because I'm planning on central Ohio again not having the Best Buy doorbusters. So I'm just a complicated case all around. I guess you'll get no help from me and now I'm wondering why I even decided to reply here... -Mark-

Just please, for the sake of yourself and the people behind you, while you're waiting over an hour in the line, start making the check out. Can't stand people who have both hands free for several minutes in line and then it seems like a shocker to them when they finally reach the cashier and have to actually write out the check... -Mark-

Can't argue with you there! Some of those other BF sites just leave you going trying to figure out where everything is. -Mark-

Ha. I know. And to think...a couple years ago, I would have felt like the luckiest man on earth to get any ad a week before BF. Now it's almost like it's way too late. Funny how Black Friday @ GottaDeal will do that to you -Mark-

Still waiting on a few but am wondering if I may just have to wait to see the Thanksgiving Day paper to actually see the ads for these stores, since they're not as big on the radar screen. Meijer Thanksgiving Day Big Lots (Thanksgiving & BF) Media Play Coconuts -Mark-

Wow...if all those items are indeed legit, I may just have to, for the first time ever, hit Circuit City right at opening. -Mark-

Are you by any chance in Indiana? I've heard that Best Buys there are horrible for redeeming the BB Bucks because of some big decision laid down by the head of several district offices. What you need to do is call 1-888-BEST-BUY (corporate number), tell them at what Best Buy you had your unjust experience, and they will contact the Best Buy and let them know that they can't change the rules. Also stand your ground at Best Buy. Take a copy of the rules with you (there's also a clause in there that states that Best Buy employees and managers are not allowed to change the rules). Don't take no for an answer! -Mark-

I've got this weird thing about really wanting to purchase things new (except maybe a car). If I buy something that's used, I feel like I'm not getting full value out of the item (i.e. not necessarily getting all the packaging/instructions plus I never know how beat-up a used item will be). There's also nothing like ripping off the cellophane and/or trying like mad to get through the blister pack to get to the item. In my opinion, it's not worth saving 10% on a game. I'd rather pay the extra few bucks and know that the last place my game was "opened" was on the factory line. -Mark-

Just finished watching tonight's episode of The Apprentice and for the usual trailer at the end of the episode, they announced that there are going two be 2 back-to-back episodes of The Apprentice next week (on Thanksgiving) starting at 9 PM. So, I'll finish Thanksgiving dinner, finish Black Friday plans, then watch The Apprentice from 9 - 11, and head out to CompUSA for their midnight opening! Life is good -Mark-

Heh..the only thing I know about Menards is that they had annoying commercials when I visited Chicago a couple years ago Busy tonight, eh, Brad? So can we expect Circuit City within the next half hour or so? -Mark-

Lucky you. You actually had a competent Sears... -Mark-

Added Ace Hardware FAR items (thanks to gerigman) -Mark-

Heh; yep. We got 4 sets of them. But 10% off a single item? When BF is next week?? Give me a break... -Mark-

And to think that just a few weeks ago I paid $49.99 for the Roady2 and the car kit and Best Buy, with no gift card promo..... -Mark-

IMO, people who go to those stores are not looking for a good deal anyway, so why would they bother? -Mark-

In Columbus, OH: Low - 29 High - 42 Mostly Sunny -Mark-

Last year, I was at Sears about an hour before it opened, at the entrance that was specifically and very noticeably designated as the entrance you had to go through to get the free $10 gift card. Well, of course, people who showed up at other entrances seconds before the store opened were able to run right up to the section they were handing out the gift cards, leaving almost all of us doing it the way they specifically asked for with nothing. I understand from others that this was not an isolated event. There also were no vouchers handed out for the big-ticket items. So it seems like Sears does not have a very organized set-up for the early arrivers. -Mark-

Yes; you should be grateful that you are getting to see them this early at all. "Beggars can't be choosers", you know. -Mark-

Tack on Thanksgiving Day itself and you've got my usual BF weekend shopping routine. For a couple years, Sears had some deals that were only good after a certain time, so I would go back there later for those deals if they were any good. But usually, I only have one outing on Friday, but it's a several-hour outing. -Mark-

Yep; and Media Play as well -Mark-

I will have to wait for a couple more ads first. -Mark-

I'll be going to CompUSA first this year, obviously since they open at midnight. The only other thing there is a Media Play, which is literally right next to C.USA, but since they probably won't have super deals, I will go miles in the opposite direction to get to the mall/Best Buy/Office Max, and then most likely come all the way back to hit Media Play, and then head home. Anyone else ever do this? -Mark-

Glad to see it's helpful for you all -Mark-