Camped out at CC after the line at BB was crazy long at 9:30 the night before. WORST experience ever.
No crowd control or barrier to keep the lurkers out for 5:00 am opening. After they handed out the claim tickets for the three items, I did NOT see a store employee outside.
If you were interested in secondary items (those to be had without a claim ticket) you could have showed up at 4:55 and gotten into the store before those who were there patiently in line most of the night. Was ready to check out 5:15; stood in line for 2.5 HOURS.
I would guess that the employees were told that if anybody complained, don't agree with the complainer or try to fix anything, just don't say anything, which makes the employee look like a retard (or me feel like a retard) when you complain about the lurkers or the hours-long wait and they pretend they didn't hear you. A simple acknowledgement of the many problems or apology for their mismanagement would've diffused people's anger and frustration.
I had people in line with me who went to BB first, got stuff at BB, drove to CC, (five miles) got what they wanted at CC and got in line with me.
NEVER AGAIN WILL I BLACK FRIDAY AT CIRCUIT CITY AGAIN.
The only way a person could have a positive experience is if they elbowed a lurker in the face and were in a checkout line at 5:03 am.