126 replies to this topic

[rbellville]

I've been going since I was in high school with my mother at the time. This will be the 3rd year she'll be gone. We go in her memory. Her friend took her place as the leader and driver to keep her memory alive. My mom lived for the day. It's definitely been about 20 years.

[guilliam]

Not sure exactly how long, but my mom and I have been going for a long time. I remember buying for my now ds17 when he was little. Just curious, but does anyone know how many years the stores have been doing the early bird sales thing?

[ohitsunshine]

I started going about 6 years ago. My family all thought I was nuts and no one wanted to go with me. At the time I didnt even want anything, I just thought it would be fun to see what all the commotion was about. I was immediately drawn in and have since been a BF Addict!

[mgmckny]

I started BF shopping in the 80's-- not sure exactly what year. THe big stores opened before the smaller stores in the mall where I worked and I would go get the giveaways from them before opening my own store. I know I went to my local KMART for wrapping paper and some other things 1 year as well... But my first exclusive year to do the BF shopping was 1995-- my first year out of the retail rat race. I was at Target with my 1 yr old son in his stroller, sent my husband to Toys R Us for stuff there as they opened at the same time. It was the last time he did any BF shopping, the coward!

[vonnyb]

I have been BF shopping for 10 years and have been on GD for 3 years

[Deedum]

Ten years. I started the Christmas after my daughter was born, and have been faithful since.

[wyntyrose]

I have been going forever. I miss the great "gifts" the stores would give out. Popcorn tins were the best.

[dcofsc]

I have only been BF shopping about 3 years. Previously, I lived in a tiny town with no where much to shop until I moved. Last year was my first year camping out with the "BF crowd" LOL Wow was that fun!!!!! I can hardly wait until this year!!!!!!!

[kennedy's mom]

I have been shopping for about 5 years, but I missed last year.

[cmw1009]

This will be the 5th yr that my DH & I have been going out on BF

[NeepNeep]

We started in 2002 and I have been with GD since 2004.

[ebony0421]

I have been a BF veteran since "96". I was trying to find out what information was out there floating around about BF sales and ads. I think I Googled BF ads and this site came up.

[rldelo]

I think this will be our 6th year in a row.

[sparky605]

2007 marks my ten year anniversary!!!

[mccabefamily29]

This is my 12th going, and 3rd on here !

[artie852]

This will be my third year. I noticed each year the lines form earlier and earlier.

[JazzMama]

This will be my 9th BF and my 3rd using GD

[H_Hancock]

Started BF'ing in earnest in 1986 when the sales were, not secret, but not well attended. So, guess this begins my third decade of BF'ing. Took 6 years, but finally got the BF bug to bite my wife and now she gets into the preplanning for the "big day," as it were. Oh, and I found this site from Anandtech when GD was opened and its opening was "announced" at AT.

[nat77]

This my 9th year and 4th year as a member

[AndreaInNC]

wow .. I feel really old. I've been doing BF for as long as I can remember .. probably at least 15 years. I found this community from an article in our local paper (the News and Observer - Raleigh NC) a few years ago. I hear one of our radio stations talk about it around mid November too. For me it's the thrill of the crowds and knowing that I got a good deal. I'm a single mom and if I have to stand in line for a few hours to save money AND I get to get more stuff for my kids - hey - I'll do it!

[sherril]

I have been BF shopping since I was 16 and could drive myself to the sales, lol. So that means I am a BF vet having 14 years under my belt! I have been on these boards since 04 so that is 3 years for GD

[myervin2001]

This is my 13th yr going BF shopping, my first year my mom & I took my ds he was 7 mos old and he has been going with me ever since. This is my 2nd yr on GD.

[MICKEY3601]

I have been a BF shop-a-holic for the past 13 years & this is my 3rd year on GD!!

[sm1kla]

OMG, BF has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember. Mom & Grandma used to go out every year and left dad home with us. I remember when I was probably 5, they went out to find a Whoopsi Doll for me. Of course I didn't hear the story until I was older. It wasn't until I was 15 when I was finally able to join in. By this time my niece was born and I was introduced to the chase for toys!! I've been doing this for 20 years!! My kids are the youngest, I'll be devistated when they learn the truth.

[SantaClaws]

I have been a frantic BF'er for 3 years, and I cant wait for Year #4! Black Friday 2K7 baby bring it on!!

[cherry33778]

Well I've been with GD for 2yrs and in total done BF for 4-5yrs.

[billcsho]

This should be my 12th BF shopping and my 3rd year with GD.

[justjessie99]

this is my 12 year... we started doing it when we had our first son. I had gone a few times when I was younger with my mom. I remember running into Venture and grabbing a Castle Greyskull for my brother, so I was like ??11..12yrs old?

[mychza]

I started when I was young with my mom (15+ yrs), going to walmart and toys r us mostly for toys. We used to be able to line up around 5,5:30 and still get what we wanted; not anymore. Now I have to line up at 1 or 2. I tried to go earlier last year but my dh didn't think the line would start that early. He knows better now. I found Gottadeal in 2005 when I was doing a search for black friday ads online, and found my new favorite site for deals. I check here at least twice a week and then every day from oct through the middle of Jan.

[dereksmommy]

at least 15 years started going with my mom day after thanksgiving and also day after xmas