The Black Friday Brag & Moan Thread

[martin0811]

Boyyyyyyy what a day.

I got up a 3:30 in anticipation of the day to come. Logged into the forum and found that BB and CC had already put the prices on the web. I dislike BB intensely so my first move was to CC.com. I ordered the APEX DVD for store pickup later today (I did call to confirm that it is indeed waiting on me a little later). When I went back online to order more stuff around 4:30am, they had shutdown the online checkout.

I got to my local Staples about 6:45. There were 20 - 30 people in line already. Unfortunately, I got stuck in line with some nimknob who was too freaking chatty for that early in the morning. I got the CDRW, BattleShip, and some walkie-talkie like gadgets. I had plenty of time to walk the store looking for other goodies which were in abundance. It seems that the world went ape $hit for the Palm Vx of which there were only a few in-stock, but I didn't sweat it. (I ordered the iPaq 3635 from MPSuperstore for $210 after rebates - shipped Wednesday)

I did go to BB (sux lemons). The line in the store to check out was wrapped around the main aisle. WTF. I did pick up a new cell-phone ($100 rebate on a $49 item) because my friends keep asking me if it was the first one ever made

Staples in Sandy Springs rocks!!!!

 

[wviperw]

got to best buy around 6:30am this morning thinking I would be in a decent spot in the line. But NOOOO. The line wrapped all the way around the store, and I was probably around 500. When the store finally opens, they give me one of those DVD samplers(who cares), and I run to the CD-R deal. The BB workers say they were gone in the first 6 minutes though. So then I see if the GF3 deal's still there but thats gone too, and then the 256mb RAM is gone too. So I get out of BB empty handed.

But then I drove accross the street to CompUSA, where they don't start till 8am. Its around 7:25, and I'm probably 20th in line. Sweet! When we finally get in, I make a mad rush to the GF2MX200 and their CD-RW. I pick them both up, along with the free 128mb of RAM and the CD-R disks. But then I decided I didn't really need the GF2, I've heard it is a severely weakened card. So I put it back and some lucky person got it. Was I right in doing that?

Next year I'm getting the stuff early I think. That would be much easier.

 

[colossus]

Well I pulled an all-nighter (I'm used to them anyway as a med student) and decided to show up at BB around 4:45 just to see what the line would be like. I thought maybe I could sit and read in my car. The line had 200-300 people!!! Sheeesh.

No wonder CS says it's sometimes the busiest BB in the US (Cerritos). Man, looks like I'm going to have to wait until 11 or so for the parking lot to clear out. Animals....

 

[Lizardman]

I got my bounty from Staples today. Got there around 7:15 and it was a madhouse but i just waited by the ramcase for a salesperson. After about 10minutes i was helped, so i got some pny 128mb of ram, speakers, cheap cd-rs, surge protector ,and while i was waiting a 52x delta cd-rom caught my eye and since it was just 20$ after rebate i picked one of those up as well.
My total came to 110 - 20 off coupon - 85 MIR = $5.

Not to shabby I think.

 

[rbb]

From Springfield VA -

I bought my 60 giggers from BB on Wednesday to pricematch today.

Today: 0600 first in line at the Springfield Mall Staples. Got the Palm Vx and the Label marker. What a goat rope. They did not even have all the free item for the Palm in one place. It took over 30 minutes of us to badger the clerks to get all the stuff. And not everyone got everything advertised. I did not get the software, but that was a waste anyways (CD of shareware and freeware). when the clerk was bringing out the Palms, one guy practically jumped over the counter to grab one. The clerk made him put it back since we had already established a line. Also got the free (AR) label marker.

At checkout time, I was able to use a $30 coupon that has been going around.

After that, I went over to the Springfield Mall BB to price match my 60 giggers. No problems. A lady infront of me was even able to pricematch the 1.3 megapixel Fuji digital camera that was in the 7 to 12 sale. The only problem at BB were two women who checked out through the exchange lane. They had over $4000 in purchases and most were on individual receipts. It took the clerk over an hour...

RBB

 

[Syran]

I did pretty well.

Didn't sleep last night, left around 4:20 in the morning, arrived at BB around 5:10, there were 32 people in line ahead of me, including children. They gave out little maps showing where all the 5 hour deals, and it had a # on it (I was 33, my friend 34), this all happened around 5:30, about 6am, they gave little tickets to the 5 hour deals only (no HD or g3), I yanked the camera (Father) and the Printer (mother). Doors opened around 6:55, they were letting in people by # in groups of 25, and had 2 HUGE guys + 3 police standing guard to the frustration of those waiting to jump the line. Got in on the 2nd batch, I went after my phones I needed, friend got his Geforce 2. I also picked up lemmings (I miss playing it on my friends amiga) for $4, as well as a cpl dvds, and my printers (being informed I have to buy a $30 ink cartride and $30 USB cable [Skiped those, have the cable, mom can buy cartridge]), and went to claim my camera, only 1 of 12. Lots of ppl standing in line, took 30 mins to get my camera (where i HAD to check out as well), and was finally out at 8:09am... fastest time yet.

Went to CC, you couldn't park, ppl were walking over the street from TRU, where you also couldn't park (The CC here has like a 20 car parking lot)... Skipped out on that, Ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel, and came home to get ready for work in an hour. All in all, a good day, and I spent way too much money, but less then I would have.

 

[zoiks]

just came back from BB and i dont think i saw anybody walk out with the hd. There was a very long line at the counter and it never moved for the 30 min i was there. And then all of a sudden the guy comes out and says no more geforces and hd's. I wanted to whack him so bad....its more like bait and switch. They have such a big store and just fifteen drives! and then theres no raincheck. Frankly speaking, i dont think they even had fifteen drives there in the first place, not if the ppl working there got them first.

 

[Askalon]

MOAN: Staples: No Scanner, no printer; BB: no HD, No GF3, NO memory. As my neighbors works for a place that prints BB ads, i will defiantly get it next year and pre-shop and post PM items.

 

[Togez]

From Ithaca, NY

Brag:
The BB opened just 2 weeks ago. Got up at 6:20, got to BB at ~ 6:45. The line was only ~ 30 ppl (Finally an ADVANTAGE of living in a small town!!!). It doubled by the time the gates opened. Any way, the HD was gone 40 seconds after I grabbed mine ;-). Got the PNY CDRs & the Camera. Didn't need the GF3 since I got my nice Radeon hooked up to DVI LCD. (Still trying to figure out where the reg card is for the camer though :-(. )

Ithaca Rocks!!!!!!

 

[Bluzjamer]

Well....never again will i go down to shop BB on a black Fri. Noway! Went home and orderred the vid card online like I should have right away. Printed out the rebate....they charged me tax the bums.....didn't we get into a war a long time ago about this tax sh_t? Some people never learn.....it's not nice to f__k the common people. Quick all of you...tell how many rebates you have coming????? Exactly....I'm tired of this rebate poop also. I can't even remember how many I have coming or what I bought 2 months ago....jeez. Make it easier huh, you manufacturers. Jezz ...had with the censors also.
Bluz:Q

 

[SeiyaMan]

man, was it packed. Got there around 6, bout 30ppl there already. Then 5 minutes before opening, butch of ppl just got out of their cars and crowded the door. isguest; Them bastards... Anyways, I scored 3 HD, 1 Ti200, 2 burners, 3 blank cdrs, and 3 sticks of RAM with my family. WOOHOO

 

[spinn]

Got to BB at 6:10 and the line already wrapped around building...probably 200-300 people. I wasn't too optimistic in getting another HD (already bought one earlier in the week, waiting for price adjustment). I figured what the hell, I'll wait it out and see. When I saw them handin' out vouchers for the sale items, I knew I wasn't gonna have any luck. 7am comes along and I rush to the HD aisle, and sure enuff, no HD available. I did see one G3 card on the shelf, but I didn't need it. But wait, what's the commotion at the counter? Apparently they didn't put out all the HD, so it was a dash to the front and waved my hand asking for a HD. This kid that just walked up after me, puts his hand out, and starts to take the drive, but I wasn't gonna have that, so I just grabbed it and he didn't say anything. Kid knew to respect his elders. Besides, his buddies were loading up a cart...they had like 4-5 already.

I had my brother wait at Staples for the PacDigital (Lite-On) CDRW...limit one per customer. So he was able to find them behind the counter and got 2. He waited for me to show up and gave me one. Had our $20 off $100 coupons. After MIR, total for 16x CDRW = $36.

Went to Target and tried to get in on the Disney DVDs for $13, but of course they ran out. I'll go back for a raincheck since it didn't say it was limited.

Overall, it's a good morning...although, seeing as how I woke up at 5:45am, it's time for nap.

 

[virtuamike]

I thought all was lost because I'm stuck at work all day. Then I found this:

IOMega 12x burner $39.99 officemax.com

Good luck. BTW I'm looking for BB stuff * wink wink nudge nudge

** EDIT **
Even better, found the $30 MIR, makes it a $9.99 drive woohoo!

 

[Thyme]

Why exactly is it called Black Friday?

 

[dok0619]

Schweet!! Yes, I too succumbed to Black Friday Madness and ventured out this morning. Only I did as Luk suggested earlier this week. I bought the GF3 Ti200 card Tuesday.(there were only 2 on the shelf)
I got to Best Buy(Jacksonville,FL) at about 7:15 and as expected it was utter chaos! The parking lot was full and people were parked on the sides of the parking lots and street! Inside looked like a cross between a warzone and a swap meet.... people were crammed in everywhere fighting over stoopid stuff!

Anyway, I walk over to the customer service desk and there is only one person ahead of me..give the girl my receipt and GF3 card and tell her I would like to get a price adjustment. 20 seconds later she hands me a new receipt with my 50 dollar instant and another receipt with the rebate for 50 bucks. (Luk, sorry I ever doubted you brudda) at the counter next to me is a guy trying to get a raincheck for the same card...the csr asks the girl helping me if the guy can do or not cuz it is a sale item...they look at the ad and say sorry cant do, but he says that they didnt have the minimum 15pcs on hand for the sale so they should...(damn glad I got mine Tuesday!)dont know if he got it or not, but I did feel a little uncomfortable when he looked in front of me and saw my card and said "Hey! Thats one of them there!" I just got my receipt and thanked the girl.

Since I was there I tried to brave the sea of people and look around for anything that hadnt been picked over already... I saw the Logitech wireless optical freedom pro keyboard/mouse combo...Tuesday it was $119.00 today it was $69 bucks no rebates, but it wasnt listed in the sales ads, just straight out...thought it was wrong so asked a csr and she checked it for me and said it was correct. I asked if it would be that price after 12 or tomorrow and she said she didnt know but I should get it now cuz they would all be gone tomorrow, if I didnt want to wait an hour in line to pay...go to appliances and pay. I did, two people in line... all in all in and out in less than 20 minutes! Once again AT rocks!

 

[ostun]

Went to staples and bb looking for the 16x cdrw but everything was gone by 7:15 so i took the chance and got the i/0 magic 16x10x40.

When i got home i wasnt going to open it cause i wasnt sure what drive it really was but i took the chance and it turns out its a liteon LTR-16102B

 

[BMdoobieW]

If anyone got the [IBM "PC Camera" webcam/Inetcam software] deal at BB, check to see if you got a "product registration card" in the IBM Webcam package. If you did, please PM me. I didn't, and the rebate form says you must include that in the submission. I called the Best Buy rebate center and they said to go back to the store to see if a different package has the card. I think they are all sold out by now. I'll probably go back there and check anyhow. If none of them have the product registration card, I'll insist that they give me the rebate money on the spot!

 

[OtakuVidiot]

I went to BestBuy in Watertown, Mass. for some pretty low-demand items, methinks. I wanted Shrek on videotape for the parents and Dreamcast's Unreal Tourney for me.

Got there about 6:50pm. I'd say there were about 50 people in line. Interestingly, most people were lined up outside the store, but there was a nice, warm, indoor entrance from the mall that very few people took advantage of. Would have made a lot of GeF and HDD searchers happy, too, what with it being right next to the pc section.

Many, many people grabbed the Dreamcast and games. I think this surprised me the most, but only because I -- and many of us here -- happen to know that the Dreamcast is past EOL. It doesn't really matter; it is a good console.

Caught a couple of disgruntled Palm Vx hunters. BB had twelve of them. Wow. 12. I'm surprised it took them five minutes to sell out. Then again, maybe the employees bought them.

This was my first Black Friday experience, but since you hear so much about this day every year I expected lines and crowds. Who wouldn't? Well, I overheard more than a few people yelling into their cellphones, "I can't believe the lines!!" What did you think?

ov

 

[BigGame]

Bought the WD 60gig HD on Wednesday, went in today at 11:30am (Union, NJ - crowded, but not terrible) and PMed it with no hassles. Kicked myself for not picked up the PNY 110 CD-R pack and the IBM Webcam (both free after rebates) on Wednesday, as both seemed to be sold out. About 20 minutes spent in the store.

Stopped at ToysRUs on the way home and picked up a Dreamcast w/ 3 sports game pack for $69.. manufacture date is 11/2000 so hopefully its one of the "bootable from CDR" models.

Not a bad day.

 

[DVDdude]

I went to Best Buy at 7am and all I got was a lousy DVD sampler !!!! :|

There were quite literally some 800 people cramming into the doors at 7am. It was insane. The line went from the doors all way to the END of the parking lot. The entire best buy parking lot was filled. The Lowe's parking lot next door was completely filled. I somehow managed to get into the store but of course there were no 60gb hard drives or geforce 3 cards left. You could barely move in the store. I went to Staples down the street and there were a ton of people in there getting that $10 scanner.

KILL ME.

 

[blots]

7am--Staples--
calmly got scanner, printer, 2x50pack hitech cdr's, altec speakers
Used 20off100 coupon on one order, 10off40 coupon on second order
Total = 155 - (150 rebates) = $5!!!!

730am--CircuitCity--
thought i was late, but tons of stuff left
got usb hub, 100 pack cdr's, surge protector, philips speaker set, batteries, apex1500 dvd player, cd for 'rents
Total = 192 - (95 rebates) = $97

8am--McDonalds--
hungry
bacon/egg/cheese on bagel meal, bacon/egg/cheese on biscuit
around 5 bucks

gotta take advantage of the few times im up b4 1030 to get mcd's breakfast
woohoo!!!!

ps--anyone have a copy of the staples hitech 50cdr rebate--cant find it....

 

[cbrsurfr]

Well here is my story. I purchased the video card and hd ahead of time. Went at 9AM, line was a mile long. So I went back after 11AM and the line was still a mile long. So I stayed in line and finally got in. The guy at the door was like return? And I said return and rebuy because it is super cheap now, and he was like "You're a smart shopper". So I go to CS where there was no line and ask to return and rebuy and the girl is like why? So I said about it being on sale now. So she said you don't need to return it and rebuy, just do a pricematch. I then said well what about the mail in rebates can I still get them with the pricematch and she said "yes" So I had to wait about 10min for a senior CS manager to come and ok it. She did and my CC was credited for $107 and some change. But she didn't give me any MIR forms so I guess I'll have to get them online.

I'll be pissed if I don't ge the MIR's.