I have to admit that I am not an experienced black Friday shopper. Never before have I waited in line to get in a store to get the 'EARLY BIRD ' deals. I have gone in the mornings before and gotten some of the deals, but last night was the first time I waited in line to get into a store. (Oh what a wait it was).
At about 10pm my wife, her daughter and I headed to Wal- Mart only to turn around and drop them off as the craziness was spilling over to all the other area business parking lots. My wife being 37 weeks pregnant was not up for it. I thought it would be a new adventure for me, so after dropping them off I went back and headed into Wal Mart to see what things were like in theres.
All the DOOR BUSTER deals had lines waiting way too deep for me. I was going to buy a couple small things but did not figure it was worth waiting in line for them so I put them back. I thought I would try Target since it was not open yet. NOPE. Line way way too long for me to get in.
Next I headed to Kohl's. Thats my favorite store and the one I most wanted to shop anyway. and when I go there the line to get in just started to go around the corner. So there I was waiting in line for 40 minutes to get in on the deals and the $15 for every $50 spent Kohl's cash.
I got in and got lost in the kids sections trying to find my kids gifts. I grabbed one each and then stumbled around as I found one of the DOOR BUSTERS that would be perfect for the person I drew the name of in my family. Then there once a great deal on something on my wife's list. Next I needed shoes. By the time I got to the men's section (it was void of men shopping, I guess most men just stay away from these events)--- I could not carry all my items and they were out of carts. I had one bag and started filling that with clothes for me while pushing the other bigger boxed items along. (Line as people filed into Kohl's at midnight pictured)
Finally, it was time to get in line and the lady in front of me said they estimated a 3 HOUR WAIT to get checked out. (That has to be a record). The Cambridge Kohl's is a smaller one with only a handful of check out counters. (Next year Kohl's should set up some mobile check out locations in the store...still love you but note to management).
About 30 minutes into the wait I spot a short line and ask how do you get in that line to a worker. It turns out you just have to apply for a Kohl's card and your in that line. HECK YES! Now I am a proud new owner of a Kohl's card and over $250 of charges on it. (This netted me $75 in Kohl's cash and took care a lot of my shopping). It took about 1 hour in that line, but I got out of there alive!
Next I even went to Target. By that time it was about 2:45 am. The lines were fairly deep their. I staggered bewildered through the store to the TV section. I did not see what I wanted. But by this time my wife was home and texted me from the command center (wondering where I was) and reminded me of a deal for my daughter. I got that and got out and by the time I went to check out the line was only 1 person deep!
I did not sleep in either and now it was my wifes turn to shop. I dropped he off, made some stops and then went to the office. I picked her up and together we are about 95% done shopping! With the baby coming we wanted to hammer it out!
I dont think I would ever do that again. It was sort of a fun experience looking back. It seemed to me that the nice Minnesota weather aided in getting people out to the stores in Cambridge! I hope all the stores did well. I think Kohl's did, my wife matched my spending there this morning so I know they got us!
