Post by Rinconrolla on Nov 19, 2010 15:37:23 GMT -5
ST. PETERSBURG --
There's still a week to go before the "official" start of the holiday shopping season, but some Bay area residents aren't wasting any time getting ready for the Black Friday rush.
One family has already set up a tent and is lining up at a Best Buy store in St. Petersburg, determined to get the "must have's" on their holiday lists.
"We have a group of 10 this year," said one of those people, Lorie Davenport, 43. "So we're rotating shifts according to work schedules and family time and when they need to shower and eat."
Davenport, who said she has never been first in line for the post-Thanksgiving shopping rush, said her family finds ways to pass the time while hunkering down in line.
"We make our Christmas list," she said. "We find out all the deals at other stores. We get our game plans together."
Davenport admits she does get a few strange looks.
"Some of our family really thinks we're crazy," she said.
But she said snagging a deal at the checkout counter is worth roughing it and that it's become her family's holiday tradition.
Best Buy surprised Davenport and Tina Thain with iPads for being the store's first customers in line for Black Friday nationwide.
"My husband's gonna have a cow," a shocked Davenport said.
Best Buy said most people camping out arrive the day before Thanksgiving. The store leaves lights on in the parking lot and police beef up patrols for security.
The general manager said it's not uncommon for 500 people to be lined up when they open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
Aww man, at least you tried. What are you planning to try next?
