redlotus

Big thanks.

Got through with everything that I need except this tablet. The page is broken. I have the correct price in the cart, but I can't find the correct $20 gift card and I don't trust them to add it later.

The Alpine store in Comstock Park has the earliest campers in the GR area. I think that they show up before noon on T-Day. The East Beltline store had about twelve people in line when I got there at around 3pm. Never been to the Grandville store, so I'm not sure how early people line up there. -red

I'll probably be heading to Best Buy next year. However, there's a snowball's chance in Mexico that I'll be going to the same one I went to this year. In fact, I'm still so mad over the whole experience that I probably won't shop at that store for months. -red

Like Aaron said, I wouldn't recommend it. It would be better to have one cart-pusher and two runners. You should be able to grab stuff quick enough that you won't spend too much time in the check-out line. -red

I did stop by, but it was too early for them to be setting up for BF. Gotta a good look at the two screens I'm planning on buying and I think that I'll be happy with them. I'm actually surprised that they only have 23 PC systems. I thought they had closer to twice that last year. Of course, that was at the East Beltline store, which might get a bit more stock. Did you happen to see how many notebooks they had--I forgot to check. -red

If you are shopping with a friend/relative, I would get the cart as you enter the store. If you're alone however, I would not recommend a cart at all--they just slow you down. Once again, if you are alone, get to know the people in line with you. They may be willing to help you out. Once you have a ticket, you are guaranteed to receive that item until a certain time (ask the employee that you get the ticket from because it can vary by store). I've found that it is best to grab all non-ticketted items first and then go back and get the ticketted stuff. OTOH, I wouldn't recommend going through the checkout for the non-ticketted items and then coming back into the store for the ticketted items. I've done that the last two years and it usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half to get through the line a second time. You would think that I'd learn my lesson in one year, but I can be kinda slow sometimes:razz: HTH, -red

Just a couple of things to add: 13. Get to know the people around you in line. It can never hurt to have new friends in the "field of battle" :) Find out what they are going for, particularly the non-ticketted items. If you have a couple of things in common, you might be able to grab two of one while your new "friend" can grab two of the other. This can be especially important if you're in line by yourself. 14. Don't plan on letting 20 of your friends and family join you in line just before the store opens (or just before they start handing out tickets). This is a sure-fire way to become the least popular person in line. Just think how you would feel if you sat in line all night and then suddenly went from number 2 in line to number 22. If you insist on having friends join you, make sure that they are there well before they start handing out tickets. 15. If you are going with a friend and you're buying a large number of items, one person should be the "cart-pusher" and the other person a "runner". It's not easy getting a cart through traffic to get each item. It's much easier to grab things as an individual and then dump them into the cart as your hands become overloaded. 16. In cold climates, don't forget the hand-warmers. For a couple of bucks, these things can make life so much more comfortable by warming up your cold extremities. Also, if you put one on the back of your neck, it can help warm your entire body (insert typical legal jargon that I'm not a medical doctor, I take no responsibility for your actions, etc. here) Thats all that I can think of for now. Hope everyone has a fun and safe BF experience. -red **edit** Forgot a big one: price-matching. Make sure to bring in competitors' ads and price match as much as possible. Depending on the store, you may even be able to get an item that is rebated at the after-rebate price from their competitor. This isn't guaranteed, though, so don't get mad at the employee if they won't do it.

$250 Notebook or $190 desktop--buying this for work to give away at the company christmas party $70 Portable DVD--for a co-worker $130 Camcorder--for a co-worker For myself: 32" LCD HDTV--The wife actually had to talk me into this one 22" Monitor Several games and DVDs This is turning out to be the year that I have the shortest shopping list.

Cool. I'll see you there. I'm not sure what time I'll be going, either. Just depends on when I'm done at the inlaw's.:) BTW, tried to respond to your PM, but my post count is too low.

Which store do you plan on going to? I've been to the Alpine store for the last 3 years and this has been the results: 1st year: Arrived about three hours before opening (3am, I believe)--first in line 2nd year: Arrived about four hours before opening--about tenth in line and still got everything I was looking for 3rd year: went to CUSA first. Got to BB at about 2am and the line was already wrapped around the building. Shot over to East Beltline and was about 25th in line--got a chance at all ticketted items except the laptop This year: hard to judge, but since the other ads suck so badly, I'll probably get there between 10 and 11. If you happen to go to the Alpine store, look for me and I'll let you jump in with me (as long as you're there before 3). I'll be wearing a Univ. of Mich coat and blue headband/ear-warmer. I've been trying to talk family members into coming as a "cart-pusher" anyway :) HTH -red