Line jumpers! How do you handle them?

[jaymacfla]

Those universally disliked line jumpers!   All too often they appear solo, or in groups. Let's discuss our best strategies on how to deal with them. Do you have horror stories? Nothing is scarier than having your coveted spot stolen by a line jumper and lose out on that big ticket item. Did you make friends with people in front of you only to have them disrespect you by having their whole family arrive at the last minute? Sometimes, the worst betrayal is from line mates who lie to your face and take everything from you.

There are also funny stories that come out of the unsuccessful line jumper's attempt to steal from others. Lets hear them! Time to wake up the boards and get on your soap boxes!      http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82138912/

[arci122]

My friend has no fear and makes sure everyone arounds hears it if someone tries to jump the line.  We always make friends with people around us in line, and they yell and baracade with us when the jumpers start........Though, not too many stores are we waiting outside and have to deal with them.  Target and Kohls are usually the worst.

[jaymacfla]

While generally not funny, some pranksters are willing to try to push the buttons:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND_dufZ5cJ8

[Dylansmommy]

I haven't really had a problem with line jumpers on BF.  Everyone has always been pleasant and respectful for the most part.  Most stores have security guards/police men on duty or some stores will hand out numbers for high demand items.  Inside the stores, they have people directing you to which line to use.  The only issue I seem to have is people fighting over carts.  I had a woman steal my cart from me last year.  When I approached her, she laughed in the face and flipped me off...LOL.  I was only there to buy some DVDs so it didn't really matter.  

[magickallight]

I guess I have been really fortunate... I've been doing Black Friday "forever" and have always had a great time waiting in lines and making new friends... Maybe it's my GottaDeal T-shirts.   Not sure how I would handle people jumping lines... but now that I mostly shop online - it's now dealing with who has the fastest computer! LOL!

Edited October 26, 2013 by magickallight

[elite2058]

I have been to Walmart and seen the craziness with the pallets when they are opened.  It looks like a heard of animals. I am not getting hurt over line jumpers, than be out of work for a savings of $10 dollars on games or DVD's.  The line jumpers can do a lot of damage, look at the people who have had fractures and so much more because of the chaos they create.

I am just like magickallight I now do a lot online to avoid the lines and they have great deals delivered right to your House! 

[Mandy4Matt]

I don't go for anything that requires a line!  I either shop online or get what I can from doorbusters or what is left.  I really just enjoy the Black Friday shopping environment...the hustle and bustle..and saving a few dollars here and there is always a plus!  I would blow my top over a line jumper though...infuriating.  

[jaymacfla]

I don't go for anything that requires a line!  I either shop online or get what I can from doorbusters or what is left.  I really just enjoy the Black Friday shopping environment...the hustle and bustle..and saving a few dollars here and there is always a plus!  I would blow my top over a line jumper though...infuriating.  

You know, you really touched on something here. Whenever you go to Walmart and the mad dash for things are over, there are literally hundreds of items that people dump in the wierdest places throughout the store. I have been rewared by patiently looking down the aisles and finding doorbusters that others did not want after waiting in line. Look in the endcaps near the registers and another place has been the electronics section for some reason.

[elite2058]

I have done that at Target. We never get there when the line wraps around the store and its not our first stop.  So when we go they usually restock some of the items and you can find some of the items in the weirdest places. Its like a scavenger hunt, lol.

 

You know, you really touched on something here. Whenever you go to Walmart and the mad dash for things are over, there are literally hundreds of items that people dump in the wierdest places throughout the store. I have been rewared by patiently looking down the aisles and finding doorbusters that others did not want after waiting in line. Look in the endcaps near the registers and another place has been the electronics section for some reason.

[okannie]

One year at Toys R Us a line jumper started tugging on my daughter-in-law, he got a piece of my mind and all of the shoppers around us closed ranks and the store people sent him to the end of the line. Walmart is a lot crazier with the earlier times, more people. Two years ago, the mattress toppers were  a hot item, the whole pallet was already spoken for by the early shoppers, everyone had hands on but still people tried to get in close. One lady got two only to be knocked down and one of the toppers taken from her cart. I wait an hour and check the customer service area, they will have carts of stuff people decided not to buy plus looking around the store for ditched items.

Edited October 27, 2013 by okannie

[tyreejames]

Ive also been lucky enough to be in line with others who also dislike line jumpers. Its never really a big deal outside as usually the townships have a sizable police presence but it can be a problem in store. I remember a few years back being in Walmart at a video game pallet and joining up with the others who were there early. We actually encouraged the staff to get some type of line or number system because otherwise it would have been a free for all. They ended up taking our suggestions and it was a nice orderly process where everyone got what they were there for.

[Iliveforblckfri]

Not for BF but another event I go to that has line jumpers. 

One year we had a line jumper when I was first in line.  I had been there for four hours by then.  The woman didn't listen to me, but when my son went up to her and said,"Excuse me mam, but it may not be a big thing for you, but if you don't move I will have to listen to my mom all day."  Then the woman moved back in line.

[jaymacfla]

I have done that at Target. We never get there when the line wraps around the store and its not our first stop.  So when we go they usually restock some of the items and you can find some of the items in the weirdest places. Its like a scavenger hunt, lol.

In the past, target has restocked in a rolling wave fashion. There has been times when i walked in and swore that the only thing missing from the sale was the featured TV!

[jaymacfla]

One year at Toys R Us a line jumper started tugging on my daughter-in-law, he got a piece of my mind and all of the shoppers around us closed ranks and the store people sent him to the end of the line. Walmart is a lot crazier with the earlier times, more people. Two years ago, the mattress toppers were  a hot item, the whole pallet was already spoken for by the early shoppers, everyone had hands on but still people tried to get in close. One lady got two only to be knocked down and one of the toppers taken from her cart. I wait an hour and check the customer service area, they will have carts of stuff people decided not to buy plus looking around the store for ditched items.

It sounds like an all too familiar strategy at Walmart. Seriously, people do push into carts while a relative steals your item or the next persons by distraction. Again, I see that members here are wise to check in all of the nooks and crannies that fickle people choose to ditch them in. Sometimes it is on purpose.

[gbeenie]

That's why you don't go cheap when you buy a cane. Mine is stronger than a human skull.

[sbwolfer]

I've seen some trying to jump the line at Target and Toys R Us while waiting outside. Both stores usually have police officers present though and they quickly take care of it. I'm sure they figure it's easier to remove a few line jumpers than it is to deal with a riot breaking out over those line jumpers.

 

I always make friends with those around me and we normally close ranks as opening time nears. I have problem with throwing an elbow into someone's ribs if they try to cut in front of me.

[humble1]

With the exception of Walmart where there is no order, I would suggest that each person get a basket (if possible) prior to getting in line and place the basket on the outside of where you are standing or sitting in line. As the next person comes up tell them to do the same. You would then have a solid line of baskets which puts a makeshift barrier between shoppers and line cutters. Target does this at the front of the line about 30 minutes before opening and it works pretty good. Nothing is full proof but it has been pretty effective twice during my BF shopping at Target. 

[lkonkel]

Walmart/Target are the worst were we are....Walmart people literally get hurt fighting over the movies.  I'm always in the Target line, I don't know how many times over the last few years when the store is about to open and everyone starts getting really close to get in that people come out of their cars wait by the door.  People in line will yell at them to get to the back of the line...they respond with "I am, I just don't want to walk all that way".  Yeah right....as soon as no one is looking they will jump under the rope and get through.  Makes me sick!  I live in midwest and it's COLD and for me to be waiting outside frezzing my butt off for 2-3 hrs and someone to walk out of their warm car 2-3 mins before the doors open and get right in drives me nuts!!!

[momlori]

I usually make friends with those around me and the store personnel if I can.  That way when line jumpers show up, I speak up and let others know that they are there and usually everyone closes ranks and the store staff usually directs them to the back of the line.  One year a 20something tried to jump by saying his mom was already in the store and he had her money.  I even spoke to someone on the phone that claimed to be her but still refused to let him cut.

[tinkrbel]

The year I waited for hours outside BB the people in front of me started a list of people so we wouldn't get jumpers and management accepted it. Prior to that, the last year at CompUSA we all stood in line peacefully.

 

My issue was with some older lady(50-60 not in her crypt) inside a Target a couple years back. Target had 1 orderly queue and were directing you (in order) to the first available register when said lady gets in front of me making her the next person to get a register. 

 

I kindly let her know where the end of the line was and both SHE and the TARGET rep gave me a nasty face. It's BF and my time is precious to me, I don't care if you "only have 1 thing", I only have a couple of blurays and everybody behind me is waiting....so you should follow the same rules.

 

Any other day of the year if I'm not in a rush I'll offer you to go ahead of me (if I have a cartful or know I have coupons or something) but BF time is precious.

[fingerlakesmom]

LAst year our local target which is at the end of mall set up the metal barricade things plus only let 50 people in at a time with a 5 minute wait in between

[bigjimslade]

Take photos, call the BB manager at home and then 911

[hack2222]

I just use the doors to stop line cutters, once your in depending on the layout of the store go thru the checkout lanes first get what you really want then just browse.  Bury what you went after so that if they grab a piece of junk movie who cares.

[DaFees]

Thankfully, in all the years I've done BF so far I haven't had to deal with line jumpers. There was one year (@Best Buy) I believe a guy was hovering around the front of the line thinking he could hop on in just as they would open the doors. It didn't work out for him. On an unrelated note I've seen/heard more about people trying to scalp tickets for hot items more so than people trying to line jump. In fact the one year I showed up to Best Buy pretty late (~2 hours before opening and was surprisingly like one of the first 100 in line yet) as I only needed a Blu-ray player that year. Well prior to opening I heard some guy going down the line trying to scalp a ticket, so I flagged the next BB employee that walked by and told them. I didn't find out if the matter was dealt with but knowing the Best Buy in my area, I'm sure it was.

[barc]

The year I waited for hours outside BB the people in front of me started a list of people so we wouldn't get jumpers and management accepted it.

 

 

^^^^^This!

 

If you are camping out on Wednesday, you'll almost certainly be greeted by store management.  Tell them that you are going to start a list and only people physically there will be allowed to put their name on it.  If you don't arrange with management in advance, then create the list and tell the store employees that you have a list when they show up on Thursday evening.  Almost always, the store managers will respect the list and let everyone know that tickets are being given only to those on the list if there are more names than tickets for an item.

 

Police yourselves.  The cops are there to maintain order and safety, not figure out who gets BF items.  Once they have to get involved, they may pull you out of line with the jumpers you are arguing with to restore order.

 

I'll get around to my avatar eventually  

[missjuglia]

The Wal-Mart up the highway from us had such an issue with people getting in fights over movies that last year they organized them all off into one giant corral.  They had everyone form a line (and monitored it closely for line jumpers) and when go time hit, they let 10 people in at a time.  Each person had 2 minutes to get whatever movies they wanted, and then were escorted out of the corral.  It worked pretty well.  I wish they did that throughout the store.  It'd save me a lot of bruises from people trying to run me over with their cart so they can grab the last set of cookware or mattress pad.

[Katyloveshockey]

There used to be an issue with line jumpers at the local Walmart. Those of us in line would let potential jumpers know it was not in their best interest to upset a mob of cold, tired New Englanders. Last year they started using the metal barricades to form the line and blocked the front of the store with them as well. Not sure how it will be this BF with the renovations and now 2 entrances. Police are there are stop attempted jumpers. BB is very organized in this area (Western MA), not many stories of jumpers.

[jaymacfla]

^^^^^This!

 

If you are camping out on Wednesday, you'll almost certainly be greeted by store management.  Tell them that you are going to start a list and only people physically there will be allowed to put their name on it.  If you don't arrange with management in advance, then create the list and tell the store employees that you have a list when they show up on Thursday evening.  Almost always, the store managers will respect the list and let everyone know that tickets are being given only to those on the list if there are more names than tickets for an item.

 

Police yourselves.  The cops are there to maintain order and safety, not figure out who gets BF items.  Once they have to get involved, they may pull you out of line with the jumpers you are arguing with to restore order.

 

I'll get around to my avatar eventually  

We have tried the list, but even after the store manager and mangement company agreed that they would honor the list, it was the very same managers who choked and refused the list to settle line disputes. Most of this was due to the fact that families let their own in all over the line and friends of those family members also got in line. Since they used the gate for crowd control, they didn't care about the list anymore. I have recently thought of a different way to control crowds. Since most of those families are honest until the appointed time, a color coded shirt will be given out in real time as they arrive. One distinct color for every 10 people. You must be present to get a shirt, and it will be a printed shirt from yours truly. I will have only 3 colors this year Blue, and yellow gold (the wildcard color pink for our ladies only), since i will be ordering 20. Eventually, i would like to grow sponsorship to get the entire 50 by 2014.

Edited October 29, 2013 by jaymacfla

[tdanette]

You know, you really touched on something here. Whenever you go to Walmart and the mad dash for things are over, there are literally hundreds of items that people dump in the wierdest places throughout the store. I have been rewared by patiently looking down the aisles and finding doorbusters that others did not want after waiting in line. Look in the endcaps near the registers and another place has been the electronics section for some reason.

Hang out at customer service. They bring cart loads of left stuff up during the rush and soon after.

[momee2twins]

Taser