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Best Buy Black Friday Ticket System, FAQ and Sample Ticket


bigjimslade

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Hi everyone! I did this last year so I will do it again this year. Below is everything you ever wanted to know about how tickets work at Best Buy (BB) and a picture of a sample ticket so you will know what they look like.

 

FAQ:

 

What is a ticket at Best Buy?

 

A ticket is a paper that BB employees will pass about 2 hours before the store opens. The ticket holds the product for the ticket holder for the item on the ticket until 11am local time on Black Friday. BB does this to cut down on fights and riots in the store.

 

What are the tickets for?

 

No one really knows what BB will put on the ticket system for BF. In the past they have been for items that are in high demand but have limited stock for. In the past few years items included desktops, laptops, cameras (Digital and SLR Film), MP3 players, GPS, TVs (HD, Plasma, LCD, Tube), Printers, and sometimes household items like washer machines.

 

Is the ticket system company wide or just a local program?

 

The ticket system is a company wide system. The tickets come from BB HQ and are sent under strict security to the stores about 1 week before BF.

 

 

When do they pass out the tickets?

 

The tickets are passed out the morning of Black Friday about 2-3 hours before the store opens local time.

 

What happens when they pass out the tickets?

 

About 2 hours before they open the doors for black friday Best Buy employees will come out of the store and start at the front of the line. One BB worker will have a ticket for an item. He/she will start at the front of the line and go down the line saying "Who wants the $149.99 desktop?". He/she will give each person a ticket until the BB employee runs out. Once the tickets are gone for that item then that is it for that item. BB employee will do this until all of the ticketed items are gone or until they have reached the end of the line.

 

Once I have a ticket what happens next?

 

You wait......You wait until the store opens. The BB worker who gave you the ticket will explain to you where to go in the store to pick up your item. Most BB will close there customer service desk to make room for all check out lanes to be open so pay attention on where you are told to go to pick up your item.

 

Is there a limit on how many tickets I can get?

 

Most ticketed items are one per a person per an item. For example if you want 1 desktop and 1 digital camera then you will get two tickets. If you want 2 of the SAME item you wont be able to get it since there will be a limit of one per a person. Some stores will even go the extra mile of checking ID's so be ready to show your ID if asked.

 

Can I get out of line after I get my ticket?

 

My advice to you would be no. At the BB last year the manager told us and the 6 police officers in FULL tactical gear that if anyone leaves they lose there place in line and ticket.

 

What time should I get in line for a ticket?

 

It is hard to say since I don't know what you are wanting to get and where you live. Last year (BF 2008) people started to form lines at BB around 10pm Wednesday and by 12 noon Thanksgiving Day there were already 300 people in line. Most of the people in front of the lines wanted the laptops, desktops and TVs and they were college and high school students. It all depends on the weather as well. My advice....get there early.....Turkey is over rated!

 

Is there anything else I need to know?

 

Keep your eyes on this thread. I have sources at BB that will give me updated info if needed. Also remember that BB HQ gives local managers the power to customize the ticket system to fit there own store and community. This FAQ is only created as a guide only. If you have any more questions please post!

 

This FAQ will be updated throughout the BF season. Below is a sample ticket from BB.

 

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m207/davedfw/gottadeal/bbticketbf2005.jpg

Edited by bigjimslade
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Not sure if it's a new policy for all Best Buy's or just my area, last year they gave out wristbands as well. When you went to make your purchase, if the wristband didn't match the number they wrote on the top of your ticket, they would not accept it. This was done to stop people from selling the tickets to those at the back of the line.
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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Not sure if it's a new policy for all Best Buy's or just my area, last year they gave out wristbands as well. When you went to make your purchase, if the wristband didn't match the number they wrote on the top of your ticket, they would not accept it. This was done to stop people from selling the tickets to those at the back of the line.

So you just buy the item and sell it to the guy for an extra $50. You can't stop it and BB is insane to think they can.

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So you just buy the item and sell it to the guy for an extra $50. You can't stop it and BB is insane to think they can.

They can't stop it but they can TRY to. Having read on these boards lots of people pay cash and take approx what they need so it will deter it somewhat. Plus it takes time and meeting up after both parties complete their purchase which in my opinion is not worth the hassle of BF. BUT yes people who REALLY want to do it will find away around it.

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I think so. With that said I will tell everyone to keep a close eye out on their place in line. Some stores will do a movie event and you will have alot of newbies around.

 

How will the new midnight opening effect the system? Do you think tickets will be be given out at 9 or 10 pm?

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I'm just worried how early people will be waiting in line this year since they open at midnight. We won't be done with our dinner until probably 6 so I"m sure I'll be pretty SOL. ONly thing I really want is the Asus EEE tablet so not sure how huge of a draw that item will be to know if I'll have a chance.
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I'm just worried how early people will be waiting in line this year since they open at midnight. We won't be done with our dinner until probably 6 so I"m sure I'll be pretty SOL. ONly thing I really want is the Asus EEE tablet so not sure how huge of a draw that item will be to know if I'll have a chance.

I think it's the best tablet deal for BF that anyone is offering. I would count on the ASUS being a big draw.

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I am thinking about getting the Panasonic plasma and was told that it may not be a ticket item. Where in the world am I going to have to go to get it if it is not a ticket item? I haven't had the "running into the store" experience at Best Buy so I do not know how they do it. Is someone inside holding tickets? Or do I have to grab the box?

 

Thanks

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This is only my second year doing BF, so I'm still kinda new. Do they give tickets for ONLY the doorbusters? Or can it be anything? I want to go for the iPad, but since the price isn't listed, and it doesn't say it's a doorbuster...I'm wondering if that's something that I can just walk in after midnight and get? Do most BB's keep stocked up on iPads? Or do you think that's something they'll go through quickly?

:confused:

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I'm wondering if that's something that I can just walk in after midnight and get? Do most BB's keep stocked up on iPads? Or do you think that's something they'll go through quickly?

:confused:

I think it's important to note you probably won't be able to JUST walk in BB after midnight #1. Aside from that as it's not a doorbuster they probably won't have tickets for them but I think they're still hot items and will probably go fast.

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