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"What Time to Get in Line" Thread


jakesmommy403

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This year we'll be starting at TRU at 10 p.m. to get a bunch of things (hopefully, lol) on our list. But I also need to get the G.I. Joe Mobile Headquarters that does not start until 5 a.m. My initial plan was to get the TRU stuff at 10, then drop that stuff off at home and head to Target to wait for 4 a.m. to come around.

 

My question is, do you think I even have a chance of getting back to TRU at 5 and actually getting the GI Joe Headquarters?? I don't want to miss the Target sale, so I don't plan on hanging out in TRU all night waiting for 5. What should I do? Do you think this will be a big seller? Should I attempt to hide one when I'm there at 10? Will they even be on the floor at that time? I need some advice here! This is the very first time that I've needed something from the same store that has started at a separate time.

 

Thanks! :)

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I hate that TRU does this. FYI, I was at TRU at 9pm last year when they opened at midnight and was still about 12th in line. If I went this year I would have to be in line around 6-7. Not worth it to me. I'm not sure if that will be a big seller or not but you can try to go back at 5am. Just remember it will be absolutely CRAZY in there at that time!
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I know, that's what I'm worried about too. We're lucky to have a TRU that doesn't get as busy as it sounds like other ones do, but they still do that line system where you're wrapped around the store, waiting to be let in to a cashier's line. I hate that. The good thing about ours is you can stroll up to the door 10 minutes before they open and there's only about 40 people milling around outside. Ours doesn't get INSANE until closer to 3-4 a.m. That's what has me so concerned about this GI Joe thing. Maybe I should just forget it? I don't know. It's such a good price!!

 

Has anyone had luck with the TRU website on BF? Maybe DH can order it at 5 while I'm out shopping?? Hmmm....

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I was wondering the same thing! I would have to find the exact same toy, and then maybe see if they would match it. But sometimes they won't match a "special sale", so I don't know. I'm actually starting to wonder if I should just forget the GI Joe Headquarters thingy and just add a few more jets and vehicles to my list. See, I have to be at Lowes at 6 for the wine chiller. It's something that my parents really want, so I don't want to miss out on it. TRU is clogging up my morning with this 5 a.m. sale crap, lol.

 

Ok, here's what I'm thinking. I'll still go to the 10 pm sale at TRU and get the things on my list for that, then head home to drop it all off and go ahead with Target. If I either can't find or if they won't match the big GI Joe thing, then we'll forget it. Then it's off to Lowes for 6 (same plaza as Target), and then we'll head over to Walmart after that to see what's left in toys. DH just said "that GI Joe thing will not make or break his Christmas"...and he's right. I get too worked up over stuff like that. lol

 

Thanks for the advice!! I'll let you guys know how it goes if I try to price match it at Target on BF. :)

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You should definitely hide it!! I have had great luck in the past with this, especially at TRU. Put it with the stuffed animals on a top shelf. No one will be looking there. You can go back later in the morning after your other shopping is done and pick it up. Just remember to get there before 1pm. Good Luck!
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Hmm...now you've got me thinking about getting it again. Maybe we'll go for it. At 10 we'll put it with the animals like you said, then when everything else is done we'll head back and get it. I'll be done with everything else by 10 a.m., so that will give us plenty of time to go back and hopefully retrieve it. And if it's not there, it gives us plenty of time to figure out something else. THANKS!

 

I have heard that Target is PMing on stuff, and then I heard they're not. Then I've heard that they are, but only on certain items. So I honestly just don't know. I'm not sure if I want to chance it on BF.

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I would check both Walmart and Target to see if they are price matching and see if they have the item you want. Target would be perfect since you will probably still be there around that time. I hope you are able to get one, it might not ruin his Christmas to not get it but it would still be fun to have it if possible!!
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It would be so much fun!! I could buy one at retail price so he'll get it, but I don't like spending $100 on one toy, you know? So I will attempt both things: The hiding for possible retrieval later, and the PMing at other stores. Thanks for all of the advice, everyone! I really appreciate it!
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Maybe I'm over simplifying but if its out why not just purchase full price then go back and return/repurchase.

Well, I'm not one to do this with our TRU because of the size of that line on BF. I have so many little stops to make that it just doesn't fit into my day. And you are not over-simplifying at all, it's a great idea!! The size of the single line going to the service counter at our store is ridiculous!

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I'm with tinkrbel on this one, you should find out if they will let you return and re-buy later in the morning. Otherwise swing by when your done with your shopping and see if they still have it.

 

Personally if I can't be one of the first in line to get in the store, I won't bother going at all on BF. The checkout line wrapped the store is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. Last year I was 5th to get in the store and 3rd to check out. It still took close to 15 mins to checkout. It's so f'ing stupid I just get pissed talking about it...

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In fact, the fine print on the BF ad for TRU states " no returns accepted during doorbuster hours". Best to hide at 10pm and go back before 1 to get it.

good find. I know some stores close their customer service desk just not sure which. It just doesn't look promising. I guess hiding high and out of sight in a totally different non sale area is the way to go then.

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Ok guys with tru opening at 10 u know its going to be INSANE! I'm always one of the first in line but this yr I'm bafoozled lol when they opened at 5am I get there at 4am heck even really 4:30 lol last yr when they opened at 12 I got there at 10 and it was an insanely long line I was like number 120 lol they did have the whole zhu zhu thing tho so its kinda hard to say what's gonna go down this yr. I'm thinking personally for me to get in line first I need o be there around 7 is that pushing it? Ugh the bad thing is we live an hour away from where we shop so its really impossible to just ride by every now and then ughhhhhh what are yall planning on doing
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I was wondering the same thing. I was in line by 10pm last year and was probably around 150th in line. I was hoping it was because of the zhu zhu pets too. I don't really have any basis for comparison because last year was my first year doing TRU on BF. My friend who goes BF shopping with me every year has to work so I am taking a 1st timer out with me this year and there's no way she's gonna go stand in line with me at 7pm!! So I might have to go alone and pick her up later, which I really don't want to have to do. So any advice would help me out too!!
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I got in line around 9pm last year and was 5th in line. Out of the first 10 people in line, I was the only one wanting a Zhu Zhu. Well originally anyway, by the end of our 3 hour wait some others picked one up also.

 

This year I will head there about 6-ish. I will take my ads and look through them while sitting in line and in the cold....instead of in my warm cozy home. Blasted TRU :mad:

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I am thinking I will have to be there by 4 at the latest. Our town isnt huge, but last year we were in the 1st 15 in line 6 hours before opening. There was a story on our local news that over 15,000 people lined up for the doorbusters.(This was in 14 degree weather) I NEED the netbook for my daughter. At opening they had workers only allowing 10 people in at a time and every 15 min they would let 10 more in. This was my 1st time at TRU, is this normal??
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I know last year my sister and I went out to TRU at 7pm. Literally... We were 100th or so in line. WORST experience EVER. Over 300 people gathered by the doors to rush them. Police called. Fights broke out. People arrested. It was NUTS. I don't think I'll go back if they don't handle it better this year
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Last year we got in line at 10 and were about 250th in line. The people in the front said they lined up at 8. We only had 2 people escorted away by security for a fight (pushing and shoving). But I really appreciated the fact that there was such good security. I think if you want to be first you should be in line between 7-8.
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I would get in line before 12 noon local time on Thursday if you want to be one of the first 50 in line.

 

It all depends on where you live and what you want.

Gee thanks lol I'm terrified I won't be down there in time I wish I lives closer to a tru so I wouldn't have to worry about it. The worst part is we live an hour away so we can just cruise by lol

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I've never lined up for TRU before. I've always got there right after opening and walked right in. Of course the store was a mad house. There are a few things I'm wanting from the ad and I was thinking of lining up this year. This is the only TRU on the west side of nashville. I was thinking of getting there an hour or two before opening, but now I'm scared. lol. I don't think I'm going for most of the popular items. Just a few things I'm gonna pick up for my two young kids. I was really wanting those fold out character sofas.
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bigjim has me in a panic now, lol. I already planned on driving by earlier than my line up time to to see what's up. But now I think I will just stick around after 5. I live less than 10 mins away from my TRU so I have the luxury of going back and forth.

 

I want/need to be one of the first 20 in line for the limited Santa Sing A Ma Jig, and I want to get in and out asap. I don't want to be trapped in TRU's infamous check out line

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