On Friday, I woke up at 4:15 am, and was out the door by 4:30. It was my first Black Friday experience that actually began before the store opened. Usually, I can't get up before 7 am.
While munching on an apple, I drove to Circuit City in Torrance. I parked behind the store in the only corner of the parking lot where I could find a free space.
I walked up to the end of a line of unshaven, unkempt humanity that wrapped around the building.
It was 4:45 am and people were generally in a good mood as they anticipated the deals they were going to get. A man behind me was joking with his girlfriend about putting on boxing gloves to go shopping.
The doors opened at 5 am and people began to walk in. I wanted to buy for my kids some Nintendo DS video games, which were each about $10 cheaper than usual.
Once I got inside, I looked for the games but couldn't find those for the DS. The employees were all in good spirits. A supervisor asked me what I wanted. I told him and he said to get in line and the cashier would get it for me.
After I reached the register 15 minutes later, the supervisor apologized to me and explained that the video games were in a nearby aisle and I had to get them myself. To make it up to me, he said I could go straight to the register when I was ready to pay.
I was too late to get some of the games my kids wanted, but I found two and I bought another two that I thought they would enjoy.
Then I walked to the register. The supervisor saw me and told a cashier to ring me up next. Then a young man in line shouted at me, "You weren't in line."
I explained that I had been in line and he responded, "I don't think so," and looked ready for a fight. (I'm not a fighter and it's debatable if I'm even a lover, but I'm pretty sure I could have taken that guy.)
The cashier told him that I was supposed to be at the register and told me to ignore the man. I guess people were tired and sleepy and in no mood for alleged line-cutters.
I paid for the game and then drove to Macy's at Del Amo. I easily found a parking space and walked inside. I found the rack of jackets my wife told me about. With a coupon, they were selling for $40, much lower than the $200-plus regular price. I tried some on and finally picked one I liked, a charcoal black color.
A cashier with no one to ring up walked up to me and said he could take care of my purchase at his register. That was quick.
Out of curiosity, I drove across the street to Toys R Us and quickly found a parking space. The line at the toy store wrapped around the building, and that was after the doors had been open for an hour. Madness.
So I walked next door to Staples and looked around. There was so much on sale but nothing I needed. I finally found something worth buying, a 7-inch digital picture frame for $40 (with rebate). What a bargain.
But the line to the register was long and incredibly slow. Customers were grumbling and joking about the wait. My back and left leg were starting to hurt. Relief came an hour later when my turn to pay came. Thank goodness.
Since I was there, I walked over to the Mervyns next door. I'm pretty sure I was the only man there without his wife or girlfriend in tow. I felt out of place.
I called my wife and asked what I should buy. I walked out with four shirts, two of them flannels.
Then I drove home and had breakfast. I took a nap later that day.
The deals were great and it was kind of fun, but I don't know if I'll do it again. I'm not big on shopping. But we'll see next year ... or maybe in a few weeks on the day after Christmas.
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