Posted on Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : midnight
AnnArbor.com readers share their Black Friday shopping experiences today in Washtenaw County
By Paula Gardner
What's worth standing in line for several hours? What strategy worked for you? Or what do you wish you'd done differently?
This year's Black Friday sales pushed the season by starting on Thursday - and many Ann Arbor-area stores staggered their opening hours to allow shoppers to stop at several, all before dawn.
We'd like to hear your experiences shopping in local stores today as they try to turn this into one of the top shopping days of the year.
Please post your comments below. And if you'd like to share photos, email them to us by early afternoon.
Comments
John
Sun, Nov 28, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.
I found that Office Depot handled the crowd remarkably well. I was about the 15th person in line and I figured I would not have a chance to get the $279 laptop. When I reached the laptop counter, I saw no indication of the special at all. I grabbed another item and got in the checkout line. After maybe 15 minutes a person I had friended in line came up and handed me a voucher for the $279 laptop. Apparently the staff waited a period of time and then handed out the vouchers.
Ann English
Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : 7 p.m.
I went to Value World at six this morning, and thought there were more than fifty shoppers ahead of me in line, waiting for the store to open. But I was among the first fifty, whom they gave 50% off coupons to, good for December. After awhile, the line slowed down, for all the carts were being taken, and we had some tame competition as we got our own out of the cart rack. Then it was difficult getting around the store, with carts partially blocking access to racks, whether straight or round. When I found a mirror, some ladies were having a conversation in front of it and not using the mirror themselves. But I was glad to get comments about the short coat I was trying on, both on how it looked on me(it fit well)and its condition (there were some oil stains on the back, but another shopper said they would come out with Shout. When I went to the checkouts, the shopper who indicated to me first that she was waiting for a cart got it. Two others hoping for mine had to wait for other carts. The parking lot was clear of ice, there off Maple Road south of Dexter Road. Afterwards, I went near Briarwood Mall, to Bally Total Fitness, but that parking lot had ice or water just in the pavement cracks. I didn't slip or see anyone else slip in that parking lot.
timbow
Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : 1:17 p.m.
My first Black Friday. I was sent to Menard's in Jackson for a sink (not real Christmassy, but my kind of store). Doors opened at 6 AM, I got there at 7:30. When I saw the parking lot, I thought it was the car dealer next door. I stepped in and saw a checkout line all the way to the back of the store! They were all like that! Got my sink (actually two), a little generator, chocolate covered cherries, a couple of pocket knives and some binoculars. No use wasting a trip. Queued up all my soon to be purchases in a low traffic area of the store (BF tip o' the day) and found a cart (like gold!). After 45 minutes of chatting with new friends in line I was done. Not sure about doing this again ever.
bunnyabbot
Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : 12:29 p.m.
@ jack, I got the same shop vac deal, but at Lowes, I bought it yesterday along with some other things, of course though I got it online, got free shipping and used gift cards which I got when I cashed out some of my Speedy points from speedway, so they were kinda free :)
Jack
Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : 10:31 a.m.
Shop Vac was available at Lowe's and Ace Hardware. Same price at both stores but the Ace Hardware model was a better model so we not only supported a local shop but we also got the better model. Feels great to support a local store vs. a chain. Happy Shopping!
Kim Kachadoorian
Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
I have been saving up my money to buy a back up drive for my computer. Target had a 1TB and a 2TB for $69.99 - so I bought the 2TB of course. Was in line for more than an hour - nice people in line though. Joann had one deal I needed as well - sewing thread B1G1F - love shopping at Joann on these "black Friday" deals. People are usually nice there and actually help each other with coupons, finding items etc. ALL PARKING LOTS had ice in them - Briarwood Mall, shopping center where Target is at - no salting at all!
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.
Take heart in the fact that television prices are expected to drop next month. And there's absolutely no reason to go to a store to get one - the deals are better online, especially on the higher quality models. I took a look at the circulars, and very quickly realized there was nothing worth getting out of bed to see this morning.
jns131
Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.
Try the Wal Mart on Belleville Road or in Saline. I had great success with them. Good luck to dad BTW. Otherwise, ABC Warehouse usually has great deals. We go to Canton and have the best luck there.
Khadijah
Fri, Nov 26, 2010 : 8:44 a.m.
I went to Walmart this morning for a sale on a TV they had for my dad (He's ill and can't go stand in line like I can). The sale was only from 5am to 11am. So, I got there at 445/500am so I was sure to get one, and the management decided (unethically) to give out the tickets (i guess to hold your place in line) AT MIDNIGHT!!!!! I am furious. I am not one of those frivilous shoppers and when a company says something, I expect them to follow through. I am seriously disapointed in walmart. I worked there for a year or so, a couple years ago, and I feel the management at the elsworth Walmart has gone down hill. This is soemthing that should not be practiced or tollerated at any store for any reason!