jackpotladi

I didn't have to fight any crowds or traffic at all this yr. I started out at Bealls on Wed. as they sent me an email, calling it Black Wednesday. If you came in from 6-9 PM they gave you the BF prices. Since I'd already spent over $200 a few days before, they adjusted my receipt to the BF prices. On BF I went to Target & got the $4.50 coffeepot, socks & gloves at 10pm! Then on Sat. I went to Walmart & got the Playstation 3 80 GB, with 15 free Blueray movies during their 8 AM secret sale! All 3 stores were deserted & I felt like I had the stores all to myself. What a great weekend!

Pontiac, I was at CC Port Richey today & they told me they're NOT passing out tickets this yr. I'm skipping the stores as I don't see any really good deals. I already got some great DVD's at prices better than on BF.

Thanks Brad! You really look out for us. I think many of us are more disappointed because last years sales were so fantastic, plus the media has built us up so much over the last few months with their predictions of great deals & lower prices for this BF, then it didn't materialize, at least not so far. I know the stores are facing higher trucking prices,etc. but think they're using the wrong approach by tightening their reins. It's those one or two,really knock your socks off deals that gets us into the stores, where we then get caught up in a spending frenzy on other things we really hadn't planned on buying. At least that's what happened to me last year, as my cart, it did runneth over. :>)

This is the craziest thing I've ever heard. I used to travel all over the country with my job & shopped many Walmarts in diff. states. Many times I'd use the rubbermaid containers & fill them with my other purchases, then clerk would ring them as I pulled them out,including the container. Heck, twice I even pushed a big suitcase around with the things I wanted to buy, then buy the suitcase too! I was never questioned or hassled at all. Guess I have an honest face. :>)

I think the MIR'S are mostly a rip-off. I can't tell you how many times I've followed all their rules EXACTLY right to the letter & still (wrongly), get notifications that they can't honor it for some imagined reason. Usually I have to argue with them, do numerous calls & resend, resend & resend! I think they hope you'll just give up. It's just not worth the time & stress.

Hi Pontiac, I live really close to this CC but haven't made up my mind yet if I'll go there or to BB. I'd prefer BB cause of the reward points, but their ad prices this yr. doesn't impress me at all. The line last yr. at CC wasn't bad at all on T-Day, but many are saying they're going there instead of BB this yr. so I imagine the line will be longer. PM me if you may want to line up together. When do you plan on getting there?

******************************************************************** Barc, which BB did you go to?

I heard you can also hook up to your Dvd/Vcr machine to use as an antenna.

Well, that does it. No more Walmart for us! The people in marketing there must be total idiots. They're clearly out of touch with what their customers want. We'll pass this info. on to everyone we know. A group of us are going to make signs up & go down & protest.

Thanks for all the tips/advice everyone. Guess I may just have to rethink going on Wed. I think in these days the criminals are getting a little more desperate so anything could happen. I sure don't want to die over waiting on a deal on a laptop.

I'm not looking for a Wii. I was just stating what happened to people last yr. who were camped out for the Wii. The gunmen went right down the line of people & demanded their cash, etc. One guy refused & so they shot him!

thanks Jim, I'll be getting there Wed. around 3 PM, so not sure if anyone else will be there that soon or not. I'm a little nervous about being there alone that first night. I figure lots of people will be coming sooner than last yr. though, judging from all the hype & hearing people talk, but so far, nobody wants to join me on Wed.

I'm trying to convince my husband that I'll be ok waiting in line for 2 days & nights, until others arrive. He's worried about my safety after hearing about shoppers being held up & even shot last yr. while camping out for the Wii. I'll leave credit cards with him until store opens, so won't have anything of value on me, but can others recommend anything else I can do to ensure my safety? I don't have anyone to go with me & I'm very tiny & he's afraid someone will kidnap me or something. Seriously, crime is a real problem around here & even worse during the holidays.

Last yr. hubby dropped me off & didn't come back until the wee hrs. of the AM. In the meantime the guy in front of me had this big, nice, warm air mattress. So I offered to watch it for him while he went to eat, if I could just lay on it until he got back. Well, I fell asleep & instead of the guy waking me up, he lays down & goes to sleep too. There we are,under the covers & fast asleep in front of God & everybody. So here comes hubby about 2 AM & all heck breaks loose. He's yelling at the guy,what are you doing sleeping with my wife! Then he asks me if I know the guy & I'm going no,I just met him tonight, but..... trying to explain. I said, I've got 4 layers of clothing on so how can anything be going on here? People in the line were laughing & staring at us. I was so embarrassed, but finally got him to understand before he hit the guy or anything. :>) They ended up being friends the rest of the night.

Yes honey, remember our blood gets thinner living down here. I had on 3 layers,including sweats, jacket & 2 blankets on top of all that & still my teeth was chattering. I only weigh 85 lbs. so always feel colder anyway, but it was REALLY...... cold! BTW, I feel for you, as I used to do BF in Ohio, so I've been there too, lol Hope you're warmer this yr. :>)

Thanks! Yes, I figured those toughbooks would be expensive. Maybe I better buy 2 of the cheapies & hide one of them until he breaks the first one. :>)

Does anyone know if they fixed the "burn-in" problem on the Plasmas? Also, be careful in buying the off brand/no name LCD TV'S. Our news just did 2 segments on this. They're calling them the "Throw-Away TV'S" cause they don't have the parts to repair some of them. They recommend not buying them, or if you do, to purchase an extended warranty, after first reading the fine print.

Our TV news just did 2 segments on no-name/off brand LCD'S. They're calling them "Throw-Away TV'S" The reason is cause they're so new, that they don't have the parts to replace on them. They recommend not buying them at all, or if you do, purchase an extended warranty, after you've read all the fine print.

Walkie-Talkies are great idea! Too bad I didn't have them last yr. I took hubby with me for his very first BF & lost him inside the store for over an hour. You wouldn't believe the chaos that followed before I found him.

Hi, There were lots of free software, free Vista upgrade, free PC services & giftcards. Hubby listens to Glenn Beck, Hannity,etc. etc. We're moving to Panama next yr. & won't be able to get his radio shows unless he listens online. lol, yes my hubby is very clumsy, I think it's a "man thing" lol

Wow Beer, that's excellent customer service!

lol, you think? This time I'm going to speak to Mgr. ahead of time. When you stand in line that long & sacrifice your sleep, Turkey Day & brave the the elements(yes, we got very cold even here in FL) you expect to have a reasonable shot at getting what you want.

Thanks so much! Annette

Yes, that happened to us also at BB in Port Richey,FL. We were #5 & 6 in line & were really upset after having waited 16 hrs. in line! They all came out at once with the tickets & were skipping many of us at the front of the line.

Hi fellow BF shoppers. One good thing about getting your laptop on BF,is all the xtra goodies and /or free services that the stores throw in if you buy during those very early hours. Can someone recommend the min. specs my hubby would need on a laptop that would let him view & listen to his talk radio online? That's basically the most impt. criteria for him. Also,anyone know who makes the so-called,durable,strongbook type that withstands spills or drops,as he's very clumsy? Thanks in advance, Annette