I actually did go out this morning, first time in 10 years. But I really needed another computer. I use two when I work, and they both got fried back in August. I was only able to afford to replace one at the time, and working without the second one has really put a crimp in my work, so I thought I'd just give it a shot, what the heck. I figured the lines would be horrendous and I'd just give up. I've also been wanting a digital camera for a while (don't have any camera now), plus a few other things for gifts.
I started at Best buy...at 3 a.m., lol. They said they'd be giving out tickets to allow you to buy items when they opened the doors at 5 a.m. Well, I got there at 3:05, and there were only 20 people ahead of me. According to their ad, they were supposed to have "a minimum of 15" of four different laptops I'd settle for. With my math, that means a minimum of 60 computers. Amazing though...in 5 minutes and 20 people they suddenly didn't have tickets for any of those four laptops! I really don't think every one of those people bought three computers. But then I have a huge problem with Best Buy. Since I first discovered them in 1993, I have never ONCE been able to purchase any big item like that which was advertised in one of their sales, sometimes even with being the first person in the store! But of course, they deny the bait and switch routine avidly.
So anyway, I left there and went to Office Depot, only six people in line and got right in and got what I wanted and was the first to check out. Then on to Staples, doors already open, two people ahead of me in line, got what I wanted and out in 15 minutes. Then I went to Circuit City, same thing, doors were just opening, went right in, was the first person to buy a computer, in and out in seven minutes! Next was Big Lots, they were practically empty! Got a DVD player, an MP3 player and a stereo that looks like an antique but plays radio, cassettes, CDs, and a RECORD PLAYER! Whoa, flashback, lol. These were all gifts. In and out of there in eight minutes. Lastly, I went to Walmart, hoping to get the camera but not holding out much hope, and I was right. There were two I was interested in, both sold out. They called another store to check, also out. So I came home, got here at 7:45, all done with my shopping and got everything on my list but the camera, woo hoo!
I never dreamed a Black Friday could go so smoothly. On the other hand, it speaks volumes about the economy doesn't it? It was kind of eerie really. The employees at Big Lots just looked dazed and scared, stacks and stacks of merchandise and no shoppers, and they'd been open almost two hours by the time I got there. Personally, I'm doing MUCH better this year than last. If not for my son and daughter-in-law having me out for a big dinner, I would have been eating a 25-cent box of mac and cheese or ramen noodles, lol. I feel very lucky and blessed to actually be able to buy gifts this year and even have a little to spend on myself. I probably should have saved the money, but I didn't spend that much and it felt SO good!
