HookedUpStang's Guide to BF at Best Buy

[HookedUpStang]

Hey guys.. 11/21 UPDATED!!!
Last year was my first BF... great success... this year im looking for a bigger score. with bigger profits.. less cash spending.. and more fun!

I have put together this thread to share my experience and to help people on their first time out.. PLEASE DONT PUT BANTER HERE!

Last year I had spoke with 2 friends who were willing to skip thanksgiving, for a price.. that being said, one wanted a lappy (250 toshiba) and the other wanted some camcorder (225 i think)... I promised it to them...

They arrived at 1pm on thanksgiving with a tent(buy one and return it after!), and were the first there... I arrived at around 4pm and there were around 20 people behind them already...essentially killing the SD for anyone showing up later...keep a watchful eye on ANYONE who is "talking to a friend" especially if you are in front as the difference between the 10th and 11th guy in line is HUGE... people WILL attempt to cut.. be PRO-ACTIVE... squash their idea before it hatches!

I parked my car next to the tent infront of the store and was able to sit inside for most of the time and listen to music....

I wore layers, 3 pants and tops... (ny is cold, but yes i went to an NJ store and saved $500 in tax!)

A WARM possibility.... for us in the north http://products.desatech.com/product_info.php?products_id=393


There are some things you need to do BEFORE the madness begins...

At some point they will hand out tickets(3am), starting at the front of the line, one ticket for each of the door-busters, you can get 1 of each, but not 2 of 1...

There are many SDs that arent door-busters (a $15 mp3 player was a SCORE last yr, sold them all for $50, and there was no limit, i got around 20 of them)

THE SANSA MP3 PLAYERS WILL BE A GREAT RE-SELL PROFIT MAKER!!! GRAB AS MANY AS YOU CAN!!!

1. FLOOR PLAN -they will have some of the "grab-n-go" deals scattered, you need to know where to run to first, then 2nd.. and 3rd.... Its best if you have friends so you can split up and take everything...

2. STUDY-make sure you know all the deals, and their ebay value before you get to the store if you are planning on reselling

3. PLAN- plan on it being too long, too cold, and too boring.. bring plenty of stuff to keep yourself entertained, along with a tent, umbrella, poncho, calculator, multiple CC's, RUNNING SHOES, a cell phone, and water... NO COFFEE (it makes you poop and leave the line!) BRING A TENT.. setup EARLY... bring bottles to pee in like the Aviator... (idk what to tell you ladies out there) but having a friend with you is CLUTCH

4. TRAVEL- I live in NY, but i camp at a store in NJ where theres less competition, and the tax is 2% less, it saved me $480 bucks! (this year i will be staying on LONG ISLAND because of the lack of deals.. the tax stinks anyways tho)

ALSO.. THERE IS NO DELIVERY AVAILABLE ON DOOR BUSTERS.. so dont get excited and wait for a 50" plasma unless you can take it home yourself!



I will update this thread based upon my oppinions on the quality of BB BF deals as they come out... Just because its a doorbuster doesnt mean its cheaper than ebay...

quote Originally Posted by zohyeahz View Post
If you only want the items there are vouchers for (generally the best deals) I've found that you can just take your voucher, run to another less popular BF sale (like Big Lots or Macy's or something) and still get in on their deal before you have to be back at BB to redeem the voucher. The line is going to be 2 hours long by the time you've shopped for even 10 minutes and they usually have those darn "voucher" lines where you HAVE to use them, so might as well try to get in on another deal in the meantime.

I dont sugguest this zoh... a ticket doesnt mean anything, and if they sell your item, you are out of luck... try sending a complaint to mgt lol...

You MAY be able to kill 2 birds with one stone, but if you leave and get beat, well then you get nothing! In addition, the biggest profit margins i made were on NON-TICKETED items!


HERES WHAT IM BUYING.... I WILL GET AS MANY AS I CAN OF EACH...
Emachines Desktops
All Laptops
All Sandisk 2mb's
TomToms
22" monitors

I may pick up some others like...
Panasonic minidv for 150
Kodak 6mp cam with digital frame


its a much different game than last year... theres a LOT less stuff worth buying... but i know ill be able to trade tickets... remember to make friends on the line...Theres only 15 of the panny 42"s... people will want them... TRADE TRADE TRADE... get all the tickets you can...

DONT FORGET TO ASK IF STUFF WASNT PICKED UP!
They can sell it without tickets at around 11am i believe... i will update more... as i see fit..

ITS FINALLY HERE... AND LIKE LAST YR... IT WILL BE RAINING ON MY TENT!!! I wish i lived in warm weather...

[freerob]

so what happens when you have to pee?

[Maluskills]

Good info...and good question from freerob

[Caydensmom]

so what happens when you have to pee?

have one of your buddies save your spot in line and go pee! :huh:

or there are adult diapers :dontknow: your choice.

[fym]

Hmmm... I thought you said you went to Jersey in another thread.

[zohyeahz]

If you only want the items there are vouchers for (generally the best deals) I've found that you can just take your voucher, run to another less popular BF sale (like Big Lots or Macy's or something) and still get in on their deal before you have to be back at BB to redeem the voucher. The line is going to be 2 hours long by the time you've shopped for even 10 minutes and they usually have those darn "voucher" lines where you HAVE to use them, so might as well try to get in on another deal in the meantime.

It worked for me (Ah, small town America)- YMMV

[HookedUpStang]

If you only want the items there are vouchers for (generally the best deals) I've found that you can just take your voucher, run to another less popular BF sale (like Big Lots or Macy's or something) and still get in on their deal before you have to be back at BB to redeem the voucher. The line is going to be 2 hours long by the time you've shopped for even 10 minutes and they usually have those darn "voucher" lines where you HAVE to use them, so might as well try to get in on another deal in the meantime.

I went to an NJ store to save on tax...
I dont sugguest this zoh... a ticket doesnt mean anything, and if they sell your item, you are out of luck... try sending a complaint to mgt lol...

You MAY be able to kill 2 birds with one stone, but if you leave and get beat, well then you get nothing! In addition, the biggest profit margins i made were on NON-TICKETED items!

[zohyeahz]

I went to an NJ store to save on tax...
I dont sugguest this zoh... a ticket doesnt mean anything, and if they sell your item, you are out of luck... try sending a complaint to mgt lol...

You MAY be able to kill 2 birds with one stone, but if you leave and get beat, well then you get nothing! In addition, the biggest profit margins i made were on NON-TICKETED items!

I agree with this. Best deals I got in the past few years were non-ticketed small dollar items. But they usually do ticket the high $ ones.
Ex.:
DVD player $10 (-$10 reward GC @ Sears = FREE)
MP3 Player $1.99 @ Big Lots
Flash Drive $5 @ CC
Double Halogen worklight $9.99 @ Sears
Tons of DVD/CD-R's - Free AR
27" TV $66

How did I get deals at so many places? I combine a familial work (um slave) force with darting from one store to another. I work more on BF than all year long!

[mw03g35]

Last year was crazy.

ps3, wii and BF, all in two weeks. it was painful... and freezing for that matter

[pharrari]

any slick deals on tents? the easy ones ?

have one of your buddies save your spot in line and go pee! :huh:

or there are adult diapers :dontknow: your choice.

actually no....once you get to know people around you, you scratch their back, they'll scratch yours. Especially it being thanksgiving....make sure you bring some form of weapons just in case someone tries something funny or threaten you.

[g-man430]

I got to Best Buy at 4pm last year and didn't bring a tent. I did just fine too.

[RX7]

Am I the only one who has a problem with these jokers profiting off Black Friday ?

It's you that makes this a nightmare for the average person who just wants a good deal.

[g-man430]

^^Well, i'm not one of those jokers. I got there at 4pm last year and didn't get my laptop that I was going to use for school. I am in college and need one.

[MrStank]

Am I the only one who has a problem with these jokers profiting off Black Friday ?

It's you that makes this a nightmare for the average person who just wants a good deal.

Average people don't deserve good deals. We put in the legwork the same as everyone else, so saddle up or stop complaining. You get the same exact profit we do, but we understand a thing called opportunity cost.

[CaptainJ]

For the people with concerns about the people making money off of Green Friday: I side with you for a certain reason...that reason being that some people only come to get gifts for other people, while you guys are grabbing each item off the shelves and making money off of it. Seems like the greed factor comes into play.

For those who don't have concerns: I side with you also because I see where you're coming from. An opportunity comes to get a flash drive for 5 bucks when its regularly $40 and you buy all 20 they have on the shelf...you spent $100 when you would have spent $800. So you save $700. Then you go sell those on eBay or elsewhere for $40 bucks, you just made $700 in profit. Great for you. Bad for those employed by retailers, myself included. Granted, we get discounts at that price every day, so its no need for us to rush. And if we did, tried to resell those items, got caught, we'd lose our jobs. Because that's ripping the company and customers off...

Too bad they don't let the lucky number get all 10 laptops they have on sale...the resell on that would be amazing.

[RX7]

Average people don't deserve good deals. We put in the legwork the same as everyone else, so saddle up or stop complaining.

Ambulance Chasers put in leg work too, does that make it right ?

[WillBoy]

Ambulance Chasers put in leg work too, does that make it right ?

Quit complaining we all have needs some people are more aggressive about getting what they want.

[supes314]

Am I the only one who has a problem with these jokers profiting off Black Friday ?

It's you that makes this a nightmare for the average person who just wants a good deal.

It is going to be a nightmare any which way because of the great deals.

You get a deal and save $xx amount of dollars. We get a deal and save $xx amount of dollars AND MAKE $xx on top by reselling. We use the profits the exact same way you do: to pay bills, buy gas, etc. Quit hating on the resellers. We put in a lot of time, just like you do, to make the deals happen and deal with all of the time it takes to resell.

[g-man430]

I bought a Wii and resold on Ebay for more than I paid at Circuit City for it. It's not illegal and there's nothing wrong with it. If you don't like it then too bad, you're just going to have to deal with it. Last year at BB, I got a ticket for that emachines desktop and sold it to some guy in line that wasn't able to get one for $50.

[Scottk]

Exactly. You go to the store, wait, and get a ticket. That is a ticket to buy the product. What you do with it once you walk out the door is your business.

[hallowmann]

I don't think the guys who are complaining are mad about buying a couple of the doorbusters or about simply buying an item then reselling it. With me, if you want to resell something, then go for it. I've done it once or twice.

At the same time though, I don't go in and take all the items off the shelf for it. I'm sure most anger comes from seeing people buy for example 20some hard drives all at once, just to sell them all on ebay the next day. Its the 1-2 people that buy everything that bothers people, especially if its just to make money off of someone who could have gotten it for the same price that you did had you not bought them all. Its even more irritating when someone is at work or in class and they can't get to the deal before a couple people buy the entire stock.

That being said, BF doesn't really fit into those situations. Its one of those times where EVERYONE knows that crazy deals are happening and (almost) everyone is off from work and school. As a result everyone can plan accordingly and people have to actually put work in to get their deal. In those situations I think reselling is fine, mainly because of the work thats put in and because the playing ground is leveled a bit.

Exactly. You go to the store, wait, and get a ticket. That is a ticket to buy the product. What you do with it once you walk out the door is your business.

[TCM]

kill people at levittown bestbuy. got it. good tips.

[HookedUpStang]

Ambulance Chasers put in leg work too, does that make it right ?
Actually it does! Everyone complains about lawyers! And theres more in law school than are actually practicing, so...
It is going to be a nightmare any which way because of the great deals.
. We use the profits the exact same way you do: to pay bills, buy gas, etc. Quit hating on the resellers. We put in a lot of time, just like you do, to make the deals happen and deal with all of the time it takes to resell.

Last year at BB, I got a ticket for that emachines desktop and sold it to some guy in line that wasn't able to get one for $50.
This was the bundle i cleaned up on!

Im glad to see all the battle going on.. but im going to be updating the OP, so you can just check there for MY updates... Lets keep the banter to a minimum.. this isnt a thread about complaining about reselling, its an informative thread, from me to the SD community that has taught me so much!

[g-man430]

^^I take it you won't be at Target for BF. :lol:

[sillygnd]

For me...i buy and resell.becuse i need to feed my kids!!!! I have 4 of them.....Is it better that i am on state help?? Or that i WORK for my family...Its prety easy to judge someone when you dont live there life!! And welcome to the board ..hummmphh

[jdramirez]

I haven't done this, but if you are going to go crazy with the bottles for unrine, one option for the solid waste is getting an enema the morning of. Usually it will clean you out and you don't have to worry about that process for a while. Just a thought.

[jdramirez]

Am I the only one who has a problem with these jokers profiting off Black Friday ?

It's you that makes this a nightmare for the average person who just wants a good deal.

The average person walks in at 10a.m. and asks if the free X after rebate is still available. I don't think that person has put in the same effort. The 90 percentile get that at 5a.m. The 99 percentile gets there the day before at noon. I don't dislike resellers, and I am partly in the fold so why would I, but you have to want to go through the effort if you want the rewards. I don't think what he did was wrong.

[fym]

I haven't done this, but if you are going to go crazy with the bottles for unrine, one option for the solid waste is getting an enema the morning of. Usually it will clean you out and you don't have to worry about that process for a while. Just a thought.


Any slick deals on an enema?

[bigjimc]

Try a walk through on Wednesday Night and talk to an associate to ask them where some of the grab and go items are located. They set up on Wednesday night so go right before closing.

If you know an assistant manager or have made friends with a long term associate at the store. Ask if you can put together a small basket of goodies and hide it in the store someplace. Then you can shop the big things.

I also picked up a 40" LCD (not a door buster) that was going to be on sale BF and got it price matched. They say you are not supposed to do it, but as I explained to the manager, it is going to be on sale and that I would rather not bog down their people having to wheel out the TV on BF. Plus buy the monster cable and wall mount for an extra $400 (profit for them) then return them later. The extra may sell it for the manager.

[maximo]

thanks OP, im glad im not in NYC or NJ then :)

[HookedUpStang]

If you know an assistant manager or have made friends with a long term associate at the store. Ask if you can put together a small basket of goodies and hide it in the store someplace. Then you can shop the big things.

I also picked up a 40" LCD (not a door buster) that was going to be on sale BF and got it price matched. They say you are not supposed to do it, but as I explained to the manager, it is going to be on sale and that I would rather not bog down their people having to wheel out the TV on BF. Plus buy the monster cable and wall mount for an extra $400 (profit for them) then return them later. The extra may sell it for the manager.

No one is going to let you hide items... and unless you are the 1st person in the store, it wont matter anyways because someone will just take it...

NON-DOOR BUSTER prices arent better than ebay, even some of the door-busters are more than ebay... you need to do more research.

[Scottk]

I haven't done this, but if you are going to go crazy with the bottles for unrine, one option for the solid waste is getting an enema the morning of. Usually it will clean you out and you don't have to worry about that process for a while. Just a thought.

Oooh, or you could take something that plugs you up so you don't have to go for the whole day. :lol:

[bolland99]

Am I the only one who has a problem with these jokers profiting off Black Friday ?

It's you that makes this a nightmare for the average person who just wants a good deal.

yes you are the only one

these "jokers" are average people too who just want a good deal, and a nice profit as well.

[bigjimc]

No one is going to let you hide items... and unless you are the 1st person in the store, it wont matter anyways because someone will just take it...

NON-DOOR BUSTER prices arent better than ebay, even some of the door-busters are more than ebay... you need to do more research.

I beg to differ. I did it last year. I got a digital camera and all the memory stick deals for $3 AR. So yes they will.

I made 3 purchases a one single store in a well planned execution of BF along with several other store purchases.

[HookedUpStang]

I beg to differ. I did it last year. I got a digital camera and all the memory stick deals for $3 AR. So yes they will.

I made 3 purchases a one single store in a well planned execution of BF along with several other store purchases.

rebate deals? i dont do those.. and it wasnt a major retailer or someone with a brain matching a doorbuster... your L2:beginner says it all... there arent $3 door busters so idk what you are talking about... and most door-busters are somewhat of a special model that you cant get somwhere else..

[bigjimc]

rebate deals? i dont do those.. and it wasnt a major retailer or someone with a brain matching a doorbuster... your L2:beginner says it all... there arent $3 door busters so idk what you are talking about... and most door-busters are somewhat of a special model that you cant get somwhere else..

Well I use my Sandisk 2GB U3 Mini that I got for $2.97 AR ($24 rebate).

I have been doing BF for over 10 years. My first BF deal was a 1200 Watt Sharp Carosel Microwave for $39 and the Cosco Folding Table and 4 chairs (can't remember the price) at Walmart.

I will post the receipt for the TV as soon as I scan it

[bigjimc]

Well I use my Sandisk 2GB U3 Mini that I got for $2.97 AR ($24 rebate).

I have been doing BF for over 10 years. My first BF deal was a 1200 Watt Sharp Carosel Microwave for $39 and the Cosco Folding Table and 4 chairs (can't remember the price) at Walmart.

I will post the receipt for the TV as soon as I scan it

Here is the TV Scan of both invoices. I do not have the Circuit City scans of rebates for the other stuff. I have the original with the Casio Exlim camera my wife wanted. Note the time stamp of almot 8 AM.

Item #4 was the 2 GB chip that was before Rebate.

[Dr.Murdoc]

I get in line at 1pm the day before usually.
Take a real comfy chair.
Book or battery tv.
I am trying to find a outlet for a tv or heater this year.
Maybe my lappy.
Beer and friends.
can't wait I love black friday.

[ripcurl]

kill people at levittown bestbuy. got it. good tips.


Trenchcoat. CHECK. .40 S&W Handgun. CHECK. 12 Ga. ext. capacity. CHECK.


Holy crap, I'm already prepared for BF!:woot: :woot:


(BTW, this post is intended to be humourous, and in no way should constitute a threat. Those in law enforcement can continue to eat donuts, nap in their cruisers and browse internet porn.)

[halokiti]

The worst place has to be that Micro Center in Westbury, NY, only store in all of Long Island. People camp there at like Thanksgiving afternoon. Plus that place has no awning and is next to an open field, super cold. On BF I got the Acer laptop I'm using for $100+ the BF doorbuster price so it's really how bad you want a good deal for some money off.

The closest thing I did to BF camp out was camping out for Anya Hindmarch's bags at Whole Foods this July, which will probably net me profits of around $1200. At least it was in the summer time and not freezing cold. In addition, I already have Hannah Montana tickets so screw BF. :P lol

[hard2hold]

Ambulance Chasers put in leg work too, does that make it right ?

Stop bitching. You want everything handed to you on a silver platter complaining NOT FAIR when someone shows more moxie than you. There is stuff that I've missed out on because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time or simply LAZY. It happens. Grow a pair & man up.

Besides, it is not your concern what someone does with their stuff. You worry about whats on your plate & your life will go much better. I promise. Whiner.

Myself? I plan on hiring a homeless guy for $20 for my place in line.

[D3ALm@niac]

so what happens when you have to pee?

i can't believe you asked this! you pee on yourself. that way you get to cut in line. pee in your pants give you a certain power, use it.

[steversays]

"NO COFFEE (it makes you poop and leave the line!)"

hahahahahahahahahahhah agreed.

[jayeskreezy]

The average person walks in at 10a.m. and asks if the free X after rebate is still available. I don't think that person has put in the same effort. The 90 percentile get that at 5a.m. The 99 percentile gets there the day before at noon. I don't dislike resellers, and I am partly in the fold so why would I, but you have to want to go through the effort if you want the rewards. I don't think what he did was wrong.
noon the day before? i'll never be in the front of the line if that's when people line up...my fam just has a thanksgiving day policy and we spend it with the fam for the afternoon...dinner isnt over until at least 6-7pm...sighhh

[HookedUpStang]

Myself? I plan on hiring a homeless guy for $20 for my place in line.
A little bit hypocritical no? Saying you dont want to see people complaining, but you yourself wont wait... Paying a homeless guy $20 bucks? well id give you 2:1 odds someone else gives him a fair shake ($300+) for his spot, and you show up trying to take his spot... someone says no... you try to muscle your way in (bc you "cant lose $50") and then someone breaks your nose... now your out $50, and you get no deal... put the work in
noon the day before? i'll never be in the front of the line if that's when people line up...my fam just has a thanksgiving day policy and we spend it with the fam for the afternoon...dinner isnt over until at least 6-7pm...sighhh

Sacrifice is what its about... or else everyone would be there

[fym]

Which reminds me.... Its almost comical to me when someone comes in the store at 10 am (mostly old people) and asked the best buy rep... Where do I get the $299.99 laptop and they say, its sold out how they get so pissed off. lmaoooo Priceless!

[hard2hold]

A little bit hypocritical no? Saying you dont want to see people complaining, but you yourself wont wait... Paying a homeless guy $20 bucks? well id give you 2:1 odds someone else gives him a fair shake ($300+) for his spot, and you show up trying to take his spot... someone says no... you try to muscle your way in (bc you "cant lose $50") and then someone breaks your nose... now your out $50, and you get no deal... put the work in


Sacrifice is what its about... or else everyone would be there

It was a joke. I've only done the night-before-thing for 6 years.

[Doodarazumas]

4. TRAVEL- I live in NY, but i camp at a store in NJ where theres less competition, and the tax is 2% less, it saved me $480 bucks!


...you spent $24,000 last black friday?

and as an aside:

Stop bitching. You want everything handed to you on a silver platter complaining NOT FAIR when someone shows more moxxy than you.

It's moxie, I wasn't sure, but I checked. Google reveals that Moxxy is a porn star. Excellent word though, you get the vocabulary trophy today.

[hard2hold]

...you spent $24,000 last black friday?

and as an aside:



It's moxie, I wasn't sure, but I checked. Google reveals that Moxxy is a porn star. Excellent word though, you get the vocabulary trophy today.


Thank you, sir. I have made the changes.

[MrStank]

Bring a 5 gallon bucket along if you plan to poop, then use it as weaponry later.

[Joker_here]

For me...i buy and resell.becuse i need to feed my kids!!!! I have 4 of them.....Is it better that i am on state help?? Or that i WORK for my family...Its prety easy to judge someone when you dont live there life!! And welcome to the board ..hummmphh

Or maybe use a condom more often???

[akg18281]

what 15 dollar mp3 player are you talking about?
I don't see one here: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=53246&t=364359

[HookedUpStang]

i actually spent around 42k.. i returned around 20k bc of no $$ on ebay... this year i will plan better before hand.. but yes i did spend 24k.. and i made a nice takedown...

I cant remember the mp3 player..but it was a sansa... maybe it was 20? im not sure, all i know was it was the biggest % markup i had..

[Deal Digger]

so what happens when you have to pee?

People that are camping all night are usually pretty understanding when it comes to this. They will also have to pee at some point so it works out fine.

[zohyeahz]

People that are camping all night are usually pretty understanding when it comes to this. They will also have to pee at some point so it works out fine.

I agree, lots of people are scaring the noobs. I have NEVER been in line where someone didn't hold for me. Of course, I was always first 15 in line - those are a different breed. Can't imagine if I'd gotten in line at 3 am and was 112th or something.

[steversays]

everyone poo's

[SMP]

Am I the only one who has a problem with these jokers profiting off Black Friday ?

It's you that makes this a nightmare for the average person who just wants a good deal.

It's called capitalism and it is the reason why someone else has my job.

It's a nightmare to me only if I label it as such. I happen to think this is fun.

When I think of nightmare, I think of eight hours of repetative work that ultimately makes someone else wealthy. I also think of uneducated people with summer teeth and poor grammar giving advice, or is that just the image I see in my mind when people say ignorant things.

[tgn]

have fun out there guys. It's just too crazy for me, i'm gonna sit home and wait for BB clerance deal on hd.

[JPSftw!]

so what happens when you have to pee?

Come with four friends, rotate out to drive the car to a fast food place. Pee there.

[EatChex89]

unfortunately I need to be at BestBuy at 1pm.ish .. I was one of those people whose friends were waiting outside last year. I got there at like 6pm, so I did endure the cold and shit.

People that are camping all night are usually pretty understanding when it comes to this. They will also have to pee at some point so it works out fine.

BestBuy actually set us up an outhouse...

[srtpusher]

this is why i love living in south texas - even if its "cold" its not COLD.

as a former, well-liked BB employee, i am hoping to clean up this BF. i have a team of 5 people (me, wife, mom, her husband, friend) as of now. i am trying to find 2 more crazy friends to hang out with me too. credit cards are ready :) mainly want to do fast flips. i will sell in line / outside store if i can. i have sold game systems for a coupe hundred more than i bought within minutes after buying mine.

its amazing how crazy this has become.

[HookedUpStang]

this is why i love living in south texas - even if its "cold" its not COLD.

as a former, well-liked BB employee, i am hoping to clean up this BF. i have a team of 5 people (me, wife, mom, her husband, friend) as of now. i am trying to find 2 more crazy friends to hang out with me too. credit cards are ready :) mainly want to do fast flips. i will sell in line / outside store if i can. i have sold game systems for a coupe hundred more than i bought within minutes after buying mine.

its amazing how crazy this has become.

if you are going to bring people like that... its not worth the money to sell it at the store that day... you wont turn nearly the profit, and you are taking a lot of peoples time... in addition, no matter how well liked you are, if its a 10 item doorbuster, guy #10 is going to want his tv.. and if he doesnt get it, well then you may need those other people!

[Dr.Murdoc]

I feel that the crowd this year will be very crazy

[HookedUpStang]

I feel that the crowd this year will be very crazy

As an Oklahoma oil company that was seeking funding said to me....
q: how much of the deal can we do?
A: your the first at the troth, you get to feed until youve had enough...


The crowd is irrelevant if you are first in line!

I am gearing my information to people who will show up before 4pm... Because after that, the odds of you being in the top 10 are essentially ZERO.... Top 10 is where the $$$ can be made.

[ler337]

It's called capitalism

Capitalism brings out the best in everyone. Long live Enron.

[hard2hold]

Capitalism brings out the best in everyone. Long live Enron.


Yes it does. Enron, Worldcom, etc are examples of out of control greed. The same can be said about religion or any other thing out there. While I have not eBay'd any huge items like Wii's this year I don't blame others for making a buck. If it comes down to me rolling in at 5am and seeing that there is a huge line & I miss my chance of getting what I want, I blame myself for not sacrificing and getting there earlier. I don't bash the other guy for his intentions of getting a Wii and reselling it. If I do that, then I'm a whiner.

[sonic99]

i actually spent around 42k.. i returned around 20k bc of no $$ on ebay... this year i will plan better before hand.. but yes i did spend 24k.. and i made a nice takedown...

I cant remember the mp3 player..but it was a sansa... maybe it was 20? im not sure, all i know was it was the biggest % markup i had..
I find this incredibly hard to believe. There is no possible way that 1 person was able to buy $42,000 worth of stuff on BF.

I don't know why people feel the need to lie on internet forums. I guess it makes their already pathetic lives seem better.

[getarealjob]

Am I the only one who has a problem with these jokers profiting off Black Friday ?

It's you that makes this a nightmare for the average person who just wants a good deal.

No, you're not, hence my user name.

Have you seen most of the ebay hoarders on BF? It doesn't bother them staying outside standing around in their own filth and stink for countless hours before the stores open because if you see them out and about the other 364 days a year they're hoarding stuff to resell, they look and smell pretty much the same.

[ler337]

Enron, Worldcom, etc are examples of out of control greed.

Greed fueled by capitalism or mental disorder?

I don't mind either... after all it is only a few bucks. I just think finding a good deal after waiting in line is fun, exciting and a cool story to tell and why a limited few insist on ruining it for a larger percentage stinks. But why am i quibbling, I got my Averatec in '06.

[frittob]

Good Thread ... Here's a tip we use to get thru the long checkout lines:

If we have bunch of small stuff (i.e., memory cards, cd's, etc.), we'll just stash it somewhere in the store, go shopping elsewhere and come back later to checkout. This usually works well in office supply stores. I've used desk drawers, floor safes, or just behind some taller shelf units

The 1st few hours of BF is crucial, you have to maximize your time

[rmagiera]

resellers really need to do the world a favor and shoot themselves in the head...

[hard2hold]

resellers really need to do the world a favor and shoot themselves in the head...

I'm not exactly sure how to address that adolescent remark. What are you, 12? AND, whats up with your sig? Were you part of the founding fathers or this site? Do you even know the history of this site? So you can point to me where the Mission Statement is??? I am not a reseller but I don't see why you're whining about people making a buck. It's called a free market just for that reason. Is it fair that some guy (or soccer mom) bought the last remaining Hannah Montana toy because you didn't get there first? Nope. Does it concern you what they do with that item after they purchase it? No it does not. That is what fuels our economy - competition.

That being said, explain to me in logical terms why the hate?

[warlock110]

I'm not exactly sure how to address that adolescent remark. What are you, 12? AND, whats up with your sig? Were you part of the founding fathers or this site? Do you even know the history of this site? So you can point to me where the Mission Statement is??? I am not a reseller but I don't see why you're whining about people making a buck. It's called a free market just for that reason. Is it fair that some guy (or soccer mom) bought the last remaining Hannah Montana toy because you didn't get there first? Nope. Does it concern you what they do with that item after they purchase it? No it does not. That is what fuels our economy - competition.

That being said, explain to me in logical terms why the hate?

there isn't really "hate", more of a disaproval of exploit tactics that people are using. Think about this real quick. People posting deals on here so others can go pick up some cheap stuff for their OWN use or family members, saving a few bucks and having the joy of getting some things for a little cheaper than expected. People didn't post hot deals on here so someone can gobble it all up and resale for profit. In legal term, gobbling it up to ebay isn't "illigal", but there's such thing as manner, and these people are stepping over the line, exploiting the grey area.

Like going to a wedding or party, foods are lay out on the table, but no one is gonna filled thier mouth with ALL the food on the table, ofcouse by doing that it's not techically illigal, but people sure as hell will be disaproving of such tactics.

[Jack_Fatso]

resellers really need to do the world a favor and shoot themselves in the head...

Hi rmagiera,

1,014 posts/111 reps = <1/9 reps/post.

This is slickdeals.net NOT LEECHDEALS.com. This site was designed to help people SAVE money, not for people who need to feel righteous spewing completely illogical arguments. When you complain for the sole purpose of trying to get a better deal yourself, you take SD out of the hands of someone that has a LEGITIMATE use for it. and have no idea how to use punctuation. Once again, this site is designed to help people SAVE money, not for threadcrappers to ruin it.

[Cirrus]

Having been a reseller (mostly of dells and the like) on ebay, and also having camped out for BF, I definitely didn't think it was cool when some lame ass 17 year old kid took the entire tray of Simpsons DVD box sets that tons of other people had been waiting in line since like 2AM for. I happened to be in front of him in line so I had already picked up 2 copies (1 was a gift and 1 for myself), but I saw tons of other people looking for the box sets later, so it was pretty dick of the reseller to essentially screw those people over.

No, the people showing up at 10AM don't really deserve the deals, but the people who've been camping in the cold since 2AM should at least be able to get the friggin' $9 DVD box set they wanted, instead of some a-hole reseller taking EVERY LAST COPY. Instead of it being a fun kinda communal thing, now all those people who've been waiting around since 2AM just end up leaving empty handed and feeling dicked over, since that cheap DVD player got jacked by a reseller, and those DVDs got jacked by a reseller, etc.

Yeah so you make a few dollars, but you do realize that you just WASTED hours of OTHER people's lives? Come on, that's not cool.

If you're going to resell 1-2 of each item, ok, whatever. But if you're buying out the entire inventory and screwing over the other people in line that's just dick.

And seriously, I know that the money's important for the reseller's, but the really dedicated ebayers have plenty of other ways of keeping inventory, there's no reason you should be depending on black friday for all your inventory. Seriously, the deals aren't even that good most of the time lol.

[eyem@cvs]

Hi rmagiera,

1,014 posts/111 reps = <1/9 reps/post.

This is slickdeals.net NOT LEECHDEALS.com. This site was designed to help people SAVE money, not for people who need to feel righteous spewing completely illogical arguments. When you complain for the sole purpose of trying to get a better deal yourself, you take SD out of the hands of someone that has a LEGITIMATE use for it. and have no idea how to use punctuation. Once again, this site is designed to help people SAVE money, not for threadcrappers to ruin it.

Just couldn't resist with the punctuation issue.:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: Crapping on someones punctuation while using incorrect grammar will always get a rep from me.

[RichieRich]

:soapbox:

2 years ago, i was able to get on line around 1 or 2 and still be able to get 75% of the things that I wanted to get because there were not tickets. This ticketing bs is getting out of control and it is sad that people get in line just to resell things now. I met a family with their kids (a newborn, a 2 yr old, 5 year old, mother, and father) at a black friday sale (BB to be exact) and they told me they were there since 11/23/06 at 4AM (That's right, 4 AM Thanksgiving morning!). They skipped thanksgiving dinner with the rest of their family so they could be at Best buy so the father could get the the 32inch Westinghouse. (Which was on sale a couple months later for the same price and no standing in line!)

That being said, I totally understand being an entrepreneur and reselling product. Making a great profit, and feeling good about the work you've done is definitely a confidence booster and it makes you feel great about yourself and your efforts. :nod:

But when you sacrifice Thanksgiving dinner (one of the few holidays that isn't retail driven.. well not totally retail driven) but a time when most people can spend their time getting together with family and having a great time. Some posts I have read this year and that year, BF is a great family tradition and definitely worth it for most individuals.

To all the resellers out there, I am a fan.. trust me.. i've done it myself and cannot for one moment be hypocritical about it. If you're willing to bust your behind and get out there to buy those things, it's more than okay and it's respected. Those resellers who think they can sneak in front of everyone right before the doors open.. well i have no words for those guys.

I live in Jersey.. so it's RIDICULOUS and it's a much worse than the OP may have made it seem, but being in NYC and going to a store has got be tough so it might be better than jersey.. :lmao: I waited in line last year at around 12AM Friday morning and that was pretty horrible because I was like the 250th or so person in line.. my best buy gave numbers to everyone just to show that they needed police support (which the town didn't give anyway). We ended up breaking the 2000 person mark by the time the store opened.

Now back to the thread:

Good stuff on giving everyone your opinions on how to help out. The best piece of advice honestly is to get there early, be courteous, be warm, bring some reading material and/or something to keep you entertained, and be nice about being there. You aren't the only one there losing sleep, cold, and tired because of the Turkey, or the lack thereof, so be respectful and have a good time. :grouphug:

[HookedUpStang]

I find this incredibly hard to believe. There is no possible way that 1 person was able to buy $42,000 worth of stuff on BF.

I don't know why people feel the need to lie on internet forums. I guess it makes their already pathetic lives seem better.

First... with a team of 3 total, do the math on just the doorbusters.. then tell me im wrong... Furthermore, ill upload some pictures of the box truck i needed to rent to cart the stuff to a secure location... Ive spoken with you on other deals sonic... you should know i have no reason to lie. but my pics will confirm the naysayers.. In addition, where do you get off calling me pathetic because you cant do the math... this is an INFORMITIVE thread... if you arent adding to the usefulness of the thread, you are just wasting your time and everyone who reads your posts.



resellers really need to do the world a favor and shoot themselves in the head...
Then you would have to pay retail because i wouldnt sell it to you at a discount!


DO NOT USE THIS THREAD TO CRAP... or post useless banter...Or I will have mods LOCK the thread... I am trying to HELP people, not have a roundtable discussion on your views
With that being said... Im getting excited already... fam and friends have been submitting requests already...

[PizzaHutChuck]

How exactly do you pick the exact BestBuy to target??? Will certain stores have different deals? I live in the north Dallas area and are a bunch to choose from and I am wondering if one store is better than another.

------
Has anyone here from the Dallas area went to BB last year for BF?????
What was your experience like????

[HookedUpStang]

How exactly do you pick the exact BestBuy to target??? Will certain stores have different deals? I live in the north Dallas area and are a bunch to choose from and I am wondering if one store is better than another.
[/B]

Do you know the locations? If so, give a drive by... is one covered incase of rain? better neighborhood? All the stores will have atleast the MINIMUM of the doorbusters (most only have the posted limit, 5 or 10 or maybe 25 on some items... but every store will have all of them...

I drive to NJ from NY to save 2% on tax, and to go to a suburban neighborhood rather than an urban area...

Something for the people in the north...
http://products.desatech.com/product_info.php?products_id=393

[hard2hold]

Do you know the locations? If so, give a drive by... is one covered incase of rain? better neighborhood? All the stores will have atleast the MINIMUM of the doorbusters (most only have the posted limit, 5 or 10 or maybe 25 on some items... but every store will have all of them...

I drive to NJ from NY to save 2% on tax, and to go to a suburban neighborhood rather than an urban area...

Something for the people in the north...
http://products.desatech.com/product_info.php?products_id=393

There is a new (1 year old) store in Mansfield outside of Arlington so that's where I'll be.

[Bdubslawman]

...a nice takedown. --------- I ALSO HAD MY CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATED BY TARGET EMPLOYEES The Constitution, which is the document that guarantees citizens our Cival rights CANNOT ever be violated by a private citizen or corporation. Cival rights violations can only be perpetrated by a Governmental agency or in certain cases by someone or group they employ.

Just read your target stories...you were right it was pretty funny.
No Cival rights violations...(police were acting on reasonable suspicion that you were passing off faked coupons in a effort to defraud, the arrest under their known circumstances was spot on. Sorry, it just was. Second, in emotional situations people often think they did or didn't do things that they did and in this case tapes can show things people didn't realize they did....so no matter whether you sue anyone....SUBPOENA THE TAPE! NOTHING TO LOSE IN DOING THAT!

You always could have gone down and written out a report of a crime about the employee who grabbed and restrained you. Ultimately it is the city or county prosecutor that makes a decision on whether or not charges are actually filed. If you are having problems with the officers conduct you could ask to speak to an assistant city or assistant d.a. about filing charges against the employee... Don't mention Cival Rights...you are misusing that term and they will roll their eyes and gloss over.

[pacallen]

Wow I hope I dont have to be at my BB before around midnightish... I wonder if yours was just filling up so early (6PM Thanksgiving Day?) because other NYers wanted to save on tax and were coming over too.

[hard2hold]

Wow I hope I dont have to be at my BB before around midnightish... I wonder if yours was just filling up so early (6PM Thanksgiving Day?) because other NYers wanted to save on tax and were coming over too.

Oh gosh no...I'd roll in there a quarter til 6am. OK, I'll play nice. To get the good door-busters, you'll need to be there at LEAST by 9pm...at least that's the way its been for me the last 6 times.

[dreamwarrior]

honestly i feel more sorry for the people who wait in line just to ebay things. my guess is that these people only make minimum wage at their regular job or even worse they have no job so this is their source of income. your average family who waits in line to buy a 32" TV is either well off and just want a deal or if they are poor they shouldn't be spending that kind of money on a TV anyway even if it's 50% off.

[GrandmaWK]

I agree with Cirrus, I like to get bargains, however being handicapped it is almost impossible for me to wait that long in line, I agree the people in line should not be able to buy the entire stock of a item. Limit to 2 each.

[HookedUpStang]

The Constitution, which is the document that guarantees citizens our Cival rights CANNOT ever be violated by a private citizen or corporation. Cival rights violations can only be perpetrated by a Governmental agency or in certain cases by someone or group they employ.


So being kidnapped and held against your will isnt violating your civil rights?
Lawnman, leave your political propaganda in a dealtalk or lounge thread, your post didnt even mention black friday... why do you bother?

[steversays]

dont drink coffee....i finally realized why my underwear has skid marks in it once I wake up from my nap fri afternoon.

[ashleyl0413]

I have always had to work on BF so this will be my first. I think I have my friend convinced to come out there with me. I have to say if she does I need to buy her something because this will not only be the second time waiting outside in the cold with me. (First time was me getting a Wii she sat outside with me for 3 hours and she wasn't getting anything.) This time around her 21st birthday is on Thanksgiving, and I know we will have to be out there early so....if she goes, best friend on the planet. Also are any of you from the Milwaukee area? I am curious how swamped the BB gets.

[DealsDad]

Just curious, Stang. Considering the lacluster BB ads, are you still a "go " for BF?
Laptops only? Just curious.

[Bdubslawman]

So being kidnapped and held against your will isnt violating your civil rights?
Lawnman, leave your political propaganda in a dealtalk or lounge thread, your post didnt even mention black friday... why do you bother?No, you are missing the point...that is you do not understand what the constitution is designed for / about and who it applies to. Only a GOVT. entity can violate a constitutional right/cival right.
Only the police in this case could have violated your cival rights, a private citizen cannot. Even if they kidnap you...

Don't bite your supporters hands....I wasn't saying that what the Target dorks did was in any way right. They had no right to put their hands on you. I was just pointing out (BTW- without making fun of you for calling it "cival rights"...like my law Political Science professor always would....just trying to clarify that if the Target employees threw a bag over your head and dragged you into a target cellar it still isn't a "Cival Rights" violation. I think you might be confusing the idea of a Cival suit & Cival Rights. If they did that however, in addition to the prosecutor pressing criminal charges, you would likely file a cival suite for a financial compensation & punishment.

BLK FRIDAY...I just mentioned it.:cool:

[oppbuy]

As an Oklahoma oil company that was seeking funding said to me....
q: how much of the deal can we do?
A: your the first at the troth, you get to feed until youve had enough...


The crowd is irrelevant if you are first in line!

I am gearing my information to people who will show up before 4pm... Because after that, the odds of you being in the top 10 are essentially ZERO.... Top 10 is where the $$$ can be made.

you may be an investment banker, but your grammar and usage leave something to be desired. among other mistakes, the word you are looking for when you refer to a feeding receptacle for animals is "trough", not troth.

[oppbuy]

No, you are missing the point...that is you do not understand what the constitution is designed for / about and who it applies to. Only a GOVT. entity can violate a constitutional right/cival right.
Only the police in this case could have violated your cival rights, a private citizen cannot. Even if they kidnap you...

Don't bite your supporters hands....I wasn't saying that what the Target dorks did was in any way right. They had no right to put their hands on you. I was just pointing out (BTW- without making fun of you for calling it "cival rights"...like my law Political Science professor always would....just trying to clarify that if the Target employees threw a bag over your head and dragged you into a target cellar it still isn't a "Cival Rights" violation. I think you might be confusing the idea of a Cival suit & Cival Rights. If they did that however, in addition to the prosecutor pressing criminal charges, you would likely file a cival suite for a financial compensation & punishment.

BLK FRIDAY...I just mentioned it.:cool:

of course he is missing the point. although you were basically supportive of his point of view, you hurt his little feelings by correcting his misunderstanding of what a civil rights violation is, and that is getting in the way of Stang understanding the content and sentiment of your words. by the way, good post OP....

[HookedUpStang]

Glad to see people are wasting time posting useless info here... but i have just seen the "bonus doorbusters" and as everyone sees... its lackluster... just like my spelling... For ebay sales, the only thing worth my time is laptops(and that emachine)... And obviously at 1 per person i need to hustle... I will get a ticket for all items, but i will also be walking up the line and trying to find people who want to swap with me for a different item they want...

The deals are not nearly what i expected.... but im in....

[all_me]

Do you think people who get tickets for the laptops/desktop would really be willing to give them up? Seems like if they're there early enough to get those then that's likely what they came for in the first place and you'd have to pry it from their cold dead hands. Maybe I'm wrong....

[HookedUpStang]

Do you think people who get tickets for the laptops/desktop would really be willing to give them up? Seems like if they're there early enough to get those then that's likely what they came for in the first place and you'd have to pry it from their cold dead hands. Maybe I'm wrong....

The front of the line will be mixed... with football fans... kids... moms... and most clowns are waiting for 1 or two items... But theres that guy whose 11th in line and wants the 42" tv im not taking... he could care less about a laptop... and he will give me all the tickets for the one he wants... it works..... you just have to be a people person and work the line during the half day you spend outside lol

[rosprncss]

I just found my ad from last year. I was standing in line at 12 am went alone, and was still like 150 in the line. That SanDisk was 34.99. I got the player and the emachines by default for 189, and was able to pick up a westinghouse 22", I had to stay in the store till 12pm on Friday to get one of my items, but all in all not bad for 12 hours work. The manager at the store was a bit of a jerk though. Forgot basic courtesy and to be nice.
This year no money to get what I want, so I'll probably be over at Mervyns getting their freebies, but just reading this thread is making me nostalgic. What would BF be if no standing out all night I wonder. One thing though. Last year I caught a cold cause it was so chilly even with 4 layers and a throw. Make sure you bring extra layers.

[viciouz]

Hey OP, is it possible for you to create a Wiki Survival Guide of all the advice and great tips given in this thread? Thanks

[909]

I agree with the previous poster on these guys that go out and profit off black friday. Of course they would disagree, they're making profit off it, they'll defend themselves to the bone. Still doesn't change the fact you're a vulture. Stop pretending like you're the same as the average consumer. You're not. The reason stores limit 1 per person is for this very reason, THEY DONT WANT RESELLERS. To deny this is downright deceptive idiocy. You can paint yourself a certain way but you're just another vulture trying to profit to me. BF is supposed to be for the average consumer, that's why stores set it up a certain way, 1 item limit, handing out tickets at 3AM. Instead it's turned into another "how can I profit" day. For this reason average consumers are now discouraged to go to these events because of all the resellers. In the end, they'll just get rid of BF because the only ones going will be resellers. Stores don't want to sell to resellers.

So if you have to resell to make profit in life go ahead and do it. It's actually pretty sad. If you put that much effort into a career you'd be making six figures and wouldn't have to worry about waiting in line for 2 days. But don't pretend you're the same as me or the average consumer. I really don't care about me not getting the deals, it's more of the principle of these guys defending themselves and comparing themselves to everyone else. "Hey I'm just trying to make a buck". Pfft. At least be honest to the fact you know stores don't want you to do it. And if you're honest about that you can understand how people like me dislike people like you. If everything's done in a legit way I don't mind, but these people looking to make a profit are just as well criminals to me.

[DeputyStankus]

So being kidnapped and held against your will isnt violating your civil rights?
Lawnman, leave your political propaganda in a dealtalk or lounge thread, your post didnt even mention black friday... why do you bother?

Dude, we're all glad that you contribute so much to SD, but the Target story is old. Get over it.

[gassyfred]

I agree with the previous poster on these guys that go out and profit off black friday. Of course they would disagree, they're making profit off it, they'll defend themselves to the bone. Still doesn't change the fact you're a vulture. Stop pretending like you're the same as the average consumer. You're not. The reason stores limit 1 per person is for this very reason, THEY DONT WANT RESELLERS. To deny this is downright deceptive idiocy. You can paint yourself a certain way but you're just another vulture trying to profit to me. BF is supposed to be for the average consumer, that's why stores set it up a certain way, 1 item limit, handing out tickets at 3AM. Instead it's turned into another "how can I profit" day. For this reason average consumers are now discouraged to go to these events because of all the resellers. In the end, they'll just get rid of BF because the only ones going will be resellers. Stores don't want to sell to resellers.

First of all, while I see some potential marketing and additional item add-on benefits with a "regular" customer, for the most part, stores don't give a flying flip who they sell to. "Reseller" money spends the same as "desperate soccer-mom needing a Wii" money.

Additionally, while those you call "resellers" are painted to be satan's spawn in need of self-inflicted gunshots to the head, many forget that a more accurate term is "redistributor." There would not be resellers without aftermarket purchasers. Believe it or not, there are some out there who cannot find certain items in their area, or who cannot find the time to wait in lines, or who just aren't lucky enough to hit stores at the right time. Without redistributors, these folks would be SOL, so they are willing to pay a premium for convenience.

It's the free-market system, and I much prefer it to the alternatives.

[dobich1]

First of all, while I see some potential marketing and additional item add-on benefits with a "regular" customer, for the most part, stores don't give a flying flip who they sell to. "Reseller" money spends the same as "desperate soccer-mom needing a Wii" money.

Additionally, while those you call "resellers" are painted to be satan's spawn in need of self-inflicted gunshots to the head, many forget that a more accurate term is "redistributor." There would not be resellers without aftermarket purchasers. Believe it or not, there are some out there who cannot find certain items in their area, or who cannot find the time to wait in lines, or who just aren't lucky enough to hit stores at the right time. Without redistributors, these folks would be SOL, so they are willing to pay a premium for convenience.

It's the free-market system, and I much prefer it to the alternatives.

The people who are against our capitalistic society ought to move to a communist country. We'll also get rid of some of the Hillary supporters that way.

[llewxam]

I agree with the previous poster on these guys that go out and profit off black friday. Of course they would disagree, they're making profit off it, they'll defend themselves to the bone. Still doesn't change the fact you're a vulture. Stop pretending like you're the same as the average consumer. You're not. The reason stores limit 1 per person is for this very reason, THEY DONT WANT RESELLERS. To deny this is downright deceptive idiocy. You can paint yourself a certain way but you're just another vulture trying to profit to me. BF is supposed to be for the average consumer, that's why stores set it up a certain way, 1 item limit, handing out tickets at 3AM. Instead it's turned into another "how can I profit" day. For this reason average consumers are now discouraged to go to these events because of all the resellers. In the end, they'll just get rid of BF because the only ones going will be resellers. Stores don't want to sell to resellers.

So if you have to resell to make profit in life go ahead and do it. It's actually pretty sad. If you put that much effort into a career you'd be making six figures and wouldn't have to worry about waiting in line for 2 days. But don't pretend you're the same as me or the average consumer. I really don't care about me not getting the deals, it's more of the principle of these guys defending themselves and comparing themselves to everyone else. "Hey I'm just trying to make a buck". Pfft. At least be honest to the fact you know stores don't want you to do it. And if you're honest about that you can understand how people like me dislike people like you. If everything's done in a legit way I don't mind, but these people looking to make a profit are just as well criminals to me.

People like you can't get through your thick skulls that retailers are the ultimate resellers. They buy t-shirts for $1 and sell them for $10. Essentially, you are against little guys reselling for small profits while finding no problem with corporations doing it on a much bigger scale.

[hard2hold]

I guess unless you have a tax id & treat your employees like crap then you shouldn't be allowed to live? I'd concentrate much less on things you don't have any control over & concentrate more on the upcoming elections.

...also, man up. Why are you whining about people making a few bucks? Damned hippie liberals.

[909]

People like you can't get through your thick skulls that retailers are the ultimate resellers. They buy t-shirts for $1 and sell them for $10. Essentially, you are against little guys reselling for small profits while finding no problem with corporations doing it on a much bigger scale.

Ahhh so your justification is "since the retailers are doing it, why can't joe blo?" Two wrongs don't make a right. I stand by my stance. You're not for the consumer. You're no better than the retailers who mark up their prices. Everyone in this thread would be pissed if someone came in on BF and bought everything (if there weren't an item limit) because you'd know he's going out and selling all of that for a higher price back to THEM. So what makes it different if it's a bunch of 1 item limit items? I don't care if you're reselling 2 or 30, you're still robbing the deal from the consumer. No amount of arguing will change my mind on this. You're stealing deals from people who are legitly there to find a deal only to sell it back to them marked up 50%. If people are willing to do this it really says a lot about their character and most likely how they go about life.

You've taken a day that's supposed to be for the consumer and turned it into something that's for the reseller. And in the end everyone will lose because they'll just get rid of BF. Why sell to a reseller on BF when the retailer can hold onto it and sell it to the same guy for 50% more? You don't know the type of financial situation some people are in. If the people in this forum got to choose if the guy who works at Wendy's for $5 an hour were to get the cheap laptop vs the jerk who's there to resell it to the same guy, you know who everyone would pick. It's not so difficult to understand my point, so stop sugar coating your profit.

[HookedUpStang]

GUYS I HAVE UPDATED THE OP TODAY>>>>


Dude, we're all glad that you contribute so much to SD, but the Target story is old. Get over it.
some guy brought it up, im long over the story, but i still get irked when someone beats me up about it...
First of all, while I see some potential marketing and additional item add-on benefits with a "regular" customer, for the most part, stores don't give a flying flip who they sell to. "Reseller" money spends the same as "desperate soccer-mom needing a Wii" money.

Additionally, while those you call "resellers" are painted to be satan's spawn in need of self-inflicted gunshots to the head, many forget that a more accurate term is "redistributor." There would not be resellers without aftermarket purchasers. Believe it or not, there are some out there who cannot find certain items in their area, or who cannot find the time to wait in lines, or who just aren't lucky enough to hit stores at the right time. Without redistributors, these folks would be SOL, so they are willing to pay a premium for convenience.

It's the free-market system, and I much prefer it to the alternatives.
I like your point... I sell stuff on ebay to people, for less than retail... how can anyone be upset... my time isnt worth the $$? then go wait yourself! lol...

[llewxam]

Ahhh so your justification is "since the retailers are doing it, why can't joe blo?" Two wrongs don't make a right. I stand by my stance. You're not for the consumer. You're no better than the retailers who mark up their prices.

You lost me there. Retailers are bad? Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, Gap, supermarkets...all are evil because they are marking up their prices?

Yeah, the stores are going to cancel BF, the day they turn the year around. :lol: Do you think these places care about who they sell to? All they care about is attracting as big a crowd as possible and the tv cameras. And how does a store prove someone is a reseller anyway? Because they line up 24 hours before? Do they have some kind of ID? You are not making any sense.

Basically, you are saying if you aren't "poor", you shouldn't go out on BF to buy the deals because the "poor" people deserve the deals more. But who are you to decide who is "poor" and who should buy what? Should the "poor" people be buying a new TV when the old CRT is probably still working?

[gassyfred]

Ahhh so your justification is "since the retailers are doing it, why can't joe blo?" Two wrongs don't make a right. I stand by my stance. You're not for the consumer. You're no better than the retailers who mark up their prices. Everyone in this thread would be pissed if someone came in on BF and bought everything (if there weren't an item limit) because you'd know he's going out and selling all of that for a higher price back to THEM. So what makes it different if it's a bunch of 1 item limit items? I don't care if you're reselling 2 or 30, you're still robbing the deal from the consumer. No amount of arguing will change my mind on this. You're stealing deals from people who are legitly there to find a deal only to sell it back to them marked up 50%. If people are willing to do this it really says a lot about their character and most likely how they go about life.

You've taken a day that's supposed to be for the consumer and turned it into something that's for the reseller. And in the end everyone will lose because they'll just get rid of BF. Why sell to a reseller on BF when the retailer can hold onto it and sell it to the same guy for 50% more? You don't know the type of financial situation some people are in. If the people in this forum got to choose if the guy who works at Wendy's for $5 an hour were to get the cheap laptop vs the jerk who's there to resell it to the same guy, you know who everyone would pick. It's not so difficult to understand my point, so stop sugar coating your profit.

OMG, stop sugar-coating your socialism. Redistributing IS for the consumer, it does not rob them. What about the folks who live up in the far reaches of northern Michigan or wherever, miles from the nearest Target or Best Buy? What about those who are unable to spend the night in front of a store due to work or childcare obligations? as I stated before, there would be NO redistributors without secondary purchasers who are willing to pay a premium for convenience.

Would I be pissed if the guy in front of me bought all 37 of the Golden Girls VHS Platinum Edition Box Sets after I waited 32 hours in the cold and missed thanksgiving dinner? You bet your ass I would, but it's a risk of the free market system. That's why stores have item limits where they deem them necessary. Once we start down the road you ebay-bashers want us to take, it won't be long until someone is telling me that it's not fair that I make more money than someone else, and that I should not have more possessions than another person, it's just not fair.

You're not going to stop it, and you consistently REFUSE to acknowledge the POSITIVE EFFECTS of redistribution. Nearly every successful business in America involves charging someone for convenience in one way or another, why does it matter if I do it or if Wal-Mart does it? Is it not right to get products to those who are willing to pay the most for them? The LAST thing I want is for a group of forum-posters (or any other group for that matter) to start choosing who "deserves" a deal more. Keep your social engineering to yourself. I'm getting tired of the "but I wanted a great deal too" pissing and moaning. Grow up and get some big-boy pants.

[BAF]

I'm looking for one each of the 229 laptops and 199 desktop doorbusters, not sure what time I will need to get there. Our Best Buy is the only one within 50 miles, so its a fair size. Will 2-3pm on Thanksgiving be early enough? Min 15 on the desktops and 20 on the laptops if I recall correctly.

[phonic]

To save $480 in taxes (based on a 2% difference between NY/NJ) you would of had to spend $24,000 that day. Damn.

[thewrongstuff]

The WrongStuff's guide to Black Friday--
Remember... let nothing stop you in your acquisition of resellables. To that end, here are my tips:

1.) When waiting in line in the early morning, never miss a chance to slip in front of someone else to improve your position in line. I often hand out free waters to people and play soothing water sounds on a portable boombox I bring to facilitate this process.
2.) When the stampede begins, always pick out someone near you in the group, preferably an older person or small child. As you pass through the door, give them a forearm shiver or quick kick to the knee, just enough to drop them like a sack of potatos. This will create a diversion as people stop to help, and will also block the entry for a short period and give you a head start toward hording the goodies...
3.) If a small child has the latest hot toy and is sitting in a basket, quickly grab the toy from them and put another toy into their hands. The child will usually be surprised and the new toy will delay their screaming and allow you to disappear into the crowd.
4.) Hover near the bathrooms in the store. Not long after store opening, someone will come by and park their cart near the bathrooms as they go in to relieve themselves after the long wait outside. Quickly remove the contents of their content and place it in yours. Roll the goodies away!
5.) If a store employee should interfere with your "acquisition" process-- ask the employee: "Are you discriminating against me because of my disability?" -- This will confuse the employee at first because they have an average IQ of 73. Then their extensive training will kick in and remind them that the word "discrimination" is BAD in some way and they will leave you alone after that.

Remember my motto: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And if it is broke- sell it on EBAY!"

Happy Black Friday!

[HookedUpStang]

To save $480 in taxes (based on a 2% difference between NY/NJ) you would of had to spend $24,000 that day. Damn.

I actually spent around 42... but returned 20 of it because it wasnt worth reselling... this year is a different story lol... thats why i made this page for people who are interested in learning from my experience last year....

[hard2hold]

Ahhh so your justification is "since the retailers are doing it, why can't joe blo?" Two wrongs don't make a right. I stand by my stance. You're not for the consumer. You're no better than the retailers who mark up their prices. Everyone in this thread would be pissed if someone came in on BF and bought everything (if there weren't an item limit) because you'd know he's going out and selling all of that for a higher price back to THEM. So what makes it different if it's a bunch of 1 item limit items? I don't care if you're reselling 2 or 30, you're still robbing the deal from the consumer. No amount of arguing will change my mind on this. You're stealing deals from people who are legitly there to find a deal only to sell it back to them marked up 50%. If people are willing to do this it really says a lot about their character and most likely how they go about life.

You've taken a day that's supposed to be for the consumer and turned it into something that's for the reseller. And in the end everyone will lose because they'll just get rid of BF. Why sell to a reseller on BF when the retailer can hold onto it and sell it to the same guy for 50% more? You don't know the type of financial situation some people are in. If the people in this forum got to choose if the guy who works at Wendy's for $5 an hour were to get the cheap laptop vs the jerk who's there to resell it to the same guy, you know who everyone would pick. It's not so difficult to understand my point, so stop sugar coating your profit.


I'm sitting here reading & re-reading this post and come to the conclusion that you, sir, are a moron. Where did you get the notion that BF was EVER for the consumer? Did a teacher tell you this? Did your macro/micro-economics professor give you this impression? The stores - listen/read very closely - care NOTHING about you. They do this for one reason & one reason only - to get in the "black", hence the name BLACK FRIDAY. WTF in your convoluted excuse for a brain gave you the idea that "THEY" will cancel BF because of resellers eBaying their crap??? YOU may not like it because it eats into your "sitting on my lazy ass" time.

Lazy hippie commies. If it were up to me, I'd limit those that can access the Internet to people with IQ's in the triple digits. While we're at it, let's do that with driving as well.

[FreeBaGeL]

THE SANSA MP3 PLAYERS WILL BE A GREAT RE-SELL PROFIT MAKER!!! GRAB AS MANY AS YOU CAN!!!

I must be missing something here. The Sansa e250 will be $69.99 on BF, and is currently selling on ebay for less than 40 bucks. The e260 will be $100 on BF, and is going for around 60 bucks on ebay.

[PdT]

So anyone think you will be able to return the lcd screen from the emachines this year to get like $100 back?

[HookedUpStang]

I must be missing something here. The Sansa e250 will be $69.99 on BF, and is currently selling on ebay for less than 40 bucks. The e260 will be $100 on BF, and is going for around 60 bucks on ebay.

The $34 2gb sansa is what im buying

So anyone think you will be able to return the lcd screen from the emachines this year to get like $100 back?

it all depends on your manager... you can always ebay it!

[kkeene]

Hey guys - I have been looking all over, but can not find a definitive answer to a simple question. I am at a Best Buy in Mass, and the people here that were here last year are all saying that they only allowed ONE ticket (voucher) per customer, period. WTF? The advertisement clearly says "1 tikcket per customer per item" which means I should be able to get a laptop, a camera, an MP3 player, and a TomTom (for example). The people here are all talking about "the one item" they are going to get. This is NOT right, and I'm gonna be pretty pissed to wait all night and only get to choose ONE of the doorbusters. Is there a specific thread where this has been discussed already? I can't seem to find an answer to this anywhere. I am on the phone with BestBuy corporate, and been holding for over 25 minutes waiting for an answer....

[HookedUpStang]

Who Was At Bby In Huntington?
Who Saw Me On Channel 12 Long Island As First In Line?

[TrekChick]

The WrongStuff's guide to Black Friday--
Remember... let nothing stop you in your acquisition of resellables. To that end, here are my tips:

1.) When waiting in line in the early morning, never miss a chance to slip in front of someone else to improve your position in line. I often hand out free waters to people and play soothing water sounds on a portable boombox I bring to facilitate this process.
2.) When the stampede begins, always pick out someone near you in the group, preferably an older person or small child. As you pass through the door, give them a forearm shiver or quick kick to the knee, just enough to drop them like a sack of potatos. This will create a diversion as people stop to help, and will also block the entry for a short period and give you a head start toward hording the goodies...
3.) If a small child has the latest hot toy and is sitting in a basket, quickly grab the toy from them and put another toy into their hands. The child will usually be surprised and the new toy will delay their screaming and allow you to disappear into the crowd.
4.) Hover near the bathrooms in the store. Not long after store opening, someone will come by and park their cart near the bathrooms as they go in to relieve themselves after the long wait outside. Quickly remove the contents of their content and place it in yours. Roll the goodies away!
5.) If a store employee should interfere with your "acquisition" process-- ask the employee: "Are you discriminating against me because of my disability?" -- This will confuse the employee at first because they have an average IQ of 73. Then their extensive training will kick in and remind them that the word "discrimination" is BAD in some way and they will leave you alone after that.

Remember my motto: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And if it is broke- sell it on EBAY!"

Happy Black Friday!

:lol: :lol: :lol: That is SOOOOOOO worth 3 rep points!! I copied and emailed your comment to my friends. Thanks for the funny :D

[DealsDad]

Who Was At Bby In Huntington?
Who Saw Me On Channel 12 Long Island As First In Line?

Stang-I thought you had said that you were going to go to NJ-what caused you to stay on LI?

[dunvarna]

i'd rather stay home and get blown...

[HookedUpStang]

Stang-I thought you had said that you were going to go to NJ-what caused you to stay on LI?

The lack of good deals... it wasnt worth the drive to save the 2%

Next year im going back to NJ.. mgt at long island bestbuys is amongst the worst in the country, and they have the highest sales.

[gridStorm]

the "redistribution" argument is entirely flawed when applied to Black Friday. I'd agree with you if you were getting product from a retail outlet or distributor that isn't available to the consumer and then selling it on ebay (that's essentially what ebay is these days). However, when you horde product in the retail space of a store, you are just trading one type of distribution for another. Do you think "distribute" is a synonym for "grab as many as I can". I don't think preventing other people from buying that item at that B&M store, regardless of future greed, qualifies.

In a far-flung analogy, if they were selling vaccines B&M somwhere, a limited number, and you ran in and took the last 30 to sell on ebay, what would you think. I agree that the people on ebay would be ecstatic, it's good for them. But what about the people who were in the store? A double-edged sword. Same for the BF situation.

I know you will never change your mind about admitted-greed, but just thought I'd out argue you.

[HookedUpStang]

the "redistribution" argument is entirely flawed when applied to Black Friday. I'd agree with you if you were getting product from a retail outlet or distributor that isn't available to the consumer and then selling it on ebay (that's essentially what ebay is these days). However, when you horde product in the retail space of a store, you are just trading one type of distribution for another. Do you think "distribute" is a synonym for "grab as many as I can". I don't think preventing other people from buying that item at that B&M store, regardless of future greed, qualifies.

In a far-flung analogy, if they were selling vaccines B&M somwhere, a limited number, and you ran in and took the last 30 to sell on ebay, what would you think. I agree that the people on ebay would be ecstatic, it's good for them. But what about the people who were in the store? A double-edged sword. Same for the BF situation.

I know you will never change your mind about admitted-greed, but just thought I'd out argue you.

How is it flawed? Can i buy 40 $250 laptops? no, just 1, like everyone else in line.. its not my fault they keep it instead of selling it. Distribution is the key, you are backwards... how does "joe in nebraska" whose 400 miles from a bestbuy get a good deal? by getting it from me under retail on ebay...

In addition, im not preventing anyone from buying anything, its not my fault im willing to wait in 35 degree temp for 18 hours and they arent....

This isnt a vaccine, so you cant make the comparison... but when anthrax scares came around, the only place to get the pills was on ebay....

I cant win an argument with someone ignorant, if you cant see the value i create for people who cant sit outside in the cold and rain for 18 hours straight... well then you should put your thinking cap on....