97 replies to this topic

[bigjimslade]

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 desktops, laptops, cameras, MP3 players, TVs (HD, Plasma, LCD, Tube), Printers, and sometimes household items like washer machines.

When do they pass out the tickets?

The tickets are passed out the morning of Black Friday about 2 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.

What time should I get in line for a ticket?

It is hard to say since I dont know what you are wanting to get and where you live. Last year (BF 2006) 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. My advice....get there early.....Turkey is over rated!


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

[deelite]

WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!! It is that time of year again!! I am sooooooo hyped and ready for my Best Buy camp out again this year. I spent 16 hours outside last year and loved every bit of it!! I saw several camp out pics last year and I hope to see more this year. Oh well.....kicking off another holiday season......here we go........

[nedsw33]

Very nicely put jim. Bravo!

[DramaQueenLucy]

I can't wait....

[lilac100]

This is the only line I haven't been in before. Maybe this will be the year I actually stand in their line.

[bigjimslade]

This is the only line I haven't been in before. Maybe this will be the year I actually stand in their line.

Most BB lines are in good order and the people who work at BB do a great job in handing out the tickets and keeping order. If you are going to want to shop there for BF I would strongly consider getting in line around 1130pm on Wednesday. This is a very popular store on BF because of the deals they have.

Good Luck!

[dmm2702]

I love going to BB they always have great deals last year I got my daughter the computer and the TV for my son. I will be going again this year

[noehlp]

Thanks BigJim! I am sure this will be lots of help for all of our BFers!

[monster2369]

thanks!!!

[studintx]

I camped out in BB for the notebook i'm on now this year my friend wants to get one so I will sit it out with him and pick something up myself to be determined!!!

[Rebirth]

Most BB lines are in good order and the people who work at BB do a great job in handing out the tickets and keeping order. If you are going to want to shop there for BF I would strongly consider getting in line around 1130pm on Wednesday. This is a very popular store on BF because of the deals they have.

Good Luck!

Isn't that way too early, most people get in line on Thanksgiving Day.

[nedsw33]

Isn't that way too early, most people get in line on Thanksgiving Day.

yeah. Most best buy s you drive by early Tgiving morning only have a handful of people out waiting already. That was the case last year, at least. Only the 'crazies' line up on Wednesday night... haha. The masses of people really start lining up late morning on Tgiving day.

[kselzer]

Most BB lines are in good order and the people who work at BB do a great job in handing out the tickets and keeping order. If you are going to want to shop there for BF I would strongly consider getting in line around 1130pm on Wednesday. This is a very popular store on BF because of the deals they have.

Good Luck!

And miss the turkey??? I think not! lol

[pogiporkchop]

For once I might be fortunate enough to have someone with me so I can actually get in line super early. If so I think I'll find myself at BB first

[dylsar]

I have never been brave enough for Best Buy on BF. I have driven by on Thanksgiving Day and it terrifies me:) You guys are brave.

[stationchief]

The BB line last year over here was absolutely scary! Wrapping around the building, around the entire parking lot, and beyond! All depends if you're brave enough and prepared enough. As for me, I'm really hoping for BB to do online ordering of BF items again this year.

[oscar1961]

let the count down begin!

[hwunch]

I wish I could go at 11:30 pm. Our line started at 2 pm on Wed last year. By 10 pm (When I got there) the line had already made the turn at the side of the store and was about 1/3 of the way down the side wall. I was the last person to get a laptop ticket. I dare say to get one this year I will need to be there like 8.

[dmmiller]

I am definately thinking of going to BB on BF. I want to avoid the rebates and am very glad that BB doesnt do them anymore. (at least I hope they continue) Just hoping I can get a sitter.

[nedsw33]

I wish I could go at 11:30 pm. Our line started at 2 pm on Wed last year. By 10 pm (When I got there) the line had already made the turn at the side of the store and was about 1/3 of the way down the side wall.

I was the last person to get a laptop ticket. I dare say to get one this year I will need to be there like 8.

What state are you in, hwunch? I'm guessing a cold northern state???

[happyfrog]

I was 8 months pregnant with baby #2 in 2005 and we camped out there all night in mansfield ohio my husband and toddler son (1 yr old at the time) stayed in teh car with heat on and I stayed out in cold (coldest night of the year!!) - when i got too cold, my husband would switch with me. i'm typing on the computer i bought that day. (the $150 computer deal.) I want a laptop now. and a pda if they offer a good one. so you CAN do it with children just plan accordingly to waste a tank of gas keeping the fmaily warm. . .. we arrived at that bestbuy around 9pm that night and there were already a few folks in line. this year when i do it, i'm thinking seriously about bringing my tent as i now have 2 young children and this way they can lay down and sleep easier. . .. bettyann

[nedsw33]

we arrived at that bestbuy around 9pm that night and there were already a few folks in line.

HAHA! and THERE is the difference between freezing cold northern states and slightly warm southern states. By 9pm around here there are probably a good 100+ people in line already. haha!!

[bigwall70]

wat we did we got there about 10 on black friday and there was a little cluster of people and then there was a cop letting people in the store and the line was crazy so we just waited in the cluster of people cause the cop was letting one or two go with the people waitin in line we eventually got in, in about 30 min and went up to the guy and they didnt have wat we wanted at the store so we had it delivered from the warehouse for 50bucks more

[hnybee411]

I guess its all about location. I've never gotten to best buy more than an hour before opening and I've always been around 75th in line or so. Of course, I've never been after the doorbusters either. It's always something else I'm after so I didn't care if I was further back in line or not.

[roaddogg7575]

The BB I went to was Brandon, Florida and the party in the front of the line was there 4pm on Thursday (Thanksgiving). I got there around 2:45am and the line was around the side of the building and wrapped around the back.

[hwunch]

What state are you in, hwunch? I'm guessing a cold northern state???

South Carolina. But we still got down to below freezing that night.

[nedsw33]

geezzz... i actually WISH it would get that cold here in DFW, Texas. that way the lines would be shorter because of all these crazy Texans that can't handle the cold! haha!

[laydebug18]

'06 BF me and my mom went to drive by around 4ish 5ish pm on T-day well there were a handful so we decided to stay we were about 10th in line and b4 BB opened it was rapped all the way around the side behind the store all the way up the drive in part (its off a Major highway up here) all the way to the highway. It was crazy. The cops had to be called people were arguing and bout to fight and everything. And all of it becuase of the TICKETS and little did they no they didnt even really use them people were gettin things they didnt have tickets for. And it was cold and raining for most of the time it would clear up for a few minutes and start back! A guy went an got a kerosine heater. and we sat around it.

[Gurnee Al]

Nice work, BJS! As usual, you ARE the king of BB on BF!

[bigjimslade]

Nice work, BJS! As usual, you ARE the king of BB on BF!

Thanks! I did it to help others and cut down on the dupalcate postings that happened last year.