BFShopper6226

Just a few hints - - - 1) Comfort - Make arrangements for heavy coats. I live in Erie, PA and it can get cold on BF, especially at 4am. Comfortable shoes are a must. Dr. Scholl's gellin insoles work great for me. 2) Gameplan - A must! You need to map out BF like a military operation. What stores open when, which stores are in the same plaza, mall, location. Try to group stores together. If you are going to try for the doorbusters, get there early. Last year, there were people in sleeping bags outside Wally World. I would not go that far. I don't even try for the doorbusters. There are enough regular deals to go around. 3) Teamwork - There are 3 people in my BF group (me, wife and 14yr son). Hit the store and split up. Each person has a list with 2-3 items on it. Get the items and meet back at registers. Pay and move on. Can't find an item? Don't worry about it-use the radio and call for re-inforcements (see next item) This works well with multiple stores too. Last year, we were in 3 stores at the same time, getting 7 different items. 4) Communication - Another must have. FRS radios work great in a mall or store. Cheap to buy and only require AA batteries (TAKE SPARES). Cellphones are nice, but spotty in stores due to metal interfereing with the signal. 5) FUN - Have fun. It's all like a game with us. We try to see who can make back to the front first. We usually hit the first store just after it opens, breeaze in, get what we want (not neccessarily NEED), and by 10am are enjoying a nice breakfast at one the local buffets. BF is a great time. Welcome to the BF Family. It is a tradition that you can really grow with your family.

As a child, I used to go every year with my mom. Once I was an adult, I didn't go to often (school, friends, other such things). I started up again about 6 years ago.. Prior to that, I was on the other side of the counter (working retail). The first couple of years, I went out myself. Then in 2003, I finally talked my wife into going. She had never gone out. Now, it's a family affair. (me, wife and son). It works out real well. We stalk out the ads the day before and figure out what each person is going to get. We hit the store just like we are storming a beach, FRS radios in hand, each of us going in 3 directions and getting what we ordered. We meet in the front at the registers and then go to the next stop.