Well, this year Mike and I didn't see anything we would want to purchase, especially since we have little purchasing money to consider spending. However, my dad approached us at Thanksgiving. He knew Mike had been shopping on Black Friday before and wanted to know how it all worked. You see, he was interested in getting a laptop for pretty cheap. And it wasn't just any laptop. It was a laptop my mom could have for chemo treatments that can last up to 4 hours. It's a laptop my mom can use when she's tired and play games on or watch movies. It's a laptop my mom can use for saving pictures and videos she'll make for the grandkids.Anyway, my dad thought he could show up at sale time and get a laptop. We informed him he was quite mistaken. We offered to take care of it so we could surprise my mom and she wouldn't have to wonder why dad was going to Walmart at 1 in the morning.
Thursday night we were at Grandma's in St George. We left at 10 to scope out the Walmart in Hurricane. Mike thought that would be too late, but it turns out NO ONE was in line at all. We were informed tickets were handed out at 3 and laptops were sold at 5. Ok.
We went back to Santa Clara (about 30 mins) and tried to purchase the laptop from walmart.com. We refreshed that stinkin page from 11 -1. I sent Mike to bed and played minesweeper to entertain myself. At 1:30 the laptop showed available. I went to purchase it, but the page had logged Mike out. I usually know his passwords, but in the anxious moment, the ones I was trying weren't working!!! I didn't know what to do, so I ran and woke Mike up. He was delirious, but helpful. We finally got to "buy this item" but were immediately directed to "We're sorry. The item you are trying to purchase is sold out." AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! So close!!!So, it's about time to head over to Walmart (back another 30 mins) to stand in line. We get over there at about 2:15. We are 8th in line (thank goodness they let us stand INSIDE!). We wait. And wait. And wait. The lady behind us thinks we are friends and keeps getting closer. She's also chewing gum...with her mouth open. At this point, we have no idea how many tickets are available.
At 3, the workers come over and start handing out tickets and tell us the magic number: 15. YES!!! But now we have to wait until 5. The rules are that if you leave the line, you have to give your ticket to a worker and be back in 15 minutes, or the worker gives away your ticket. Oh boy.
We wait. And wait. And wait. The woman behind us still thinks we are friends, is still chewing gum...with her mouth open, and keeps getting closer.At 5, the laptops come out. We get one, and then have to stand in line to checkout. The guy in front of us either didn't know how to use a credit card or didn't know how to prevent his card from being canceled. 30 minutes after we got the laptop, we were in the car. I was wondering if it was worth it.
Our next stop was Home Depot. They were selling shop vacs, valued at $100 for $20. Since we were up, why not? We stood in there, outside, for 20 minutes. The guys at the front were trying to tell us that the vacs were on the other side of the store and then RAN towards them and shoving as many onto their cart as possible. We got one, but that was weird.
At 6:30, Mike and I got back to Dan and Raquel's. I set my alarm for 8. I told my mom I would go shopping with her for another gift for my grandma. I was in town to visit family, so visit family I would. Even if it meant getting 1 and 1/2 hours of sleep.So, was it worth it? YEEEEESSSSS!!!! A million times YES! My mom is so happy with it and couldn't stop using it after she opened it. (It's a Christmas present, but why get it for chemo when she can't use it at chemo, right?
Will I ever have another reason that will make a similar experience worth it? I have no clue, but probably not.
6 comments:
I love black friday. When you are ever up here for Thanksgiving you have to come with us!! Jen and my mom got in line at Target at 4 I think. I showed up at 4:30. I told Spencer he would be so proud of me. I only bought what I specifically came there for. But I did do a lot of picking up and then putting back down. I see someone else hurry and grab something, so of course I must need it too right? But I did put it back eventually. So fun. I am glad you got what you went for!! That makes it the most fun. And what is black friday without a little pushing?
I too LOVE sleep. So even though I have been curious about Black Friday, I haven't ever made it out. This year I came pretty close though. I really wanted that same laptop from Wal-Mart. I woke up at 3:30am (which from the sounds of your blog would've been to late anyhow) and brushed my teeth and hair. Then I looked outside at how cold (I live in Phoenix but I'm a wimp:) and dark it was and crawled back in bed. I figured if I'm in Page next year for Thanksgiving I'll try black Friday at that Wal-Mart. They never got sold out of Play-station's when there was that mad-line-waiting craze down here. And even if the whole town showed up it still wouldn't be much of a crowd. And going back to sleep made it seem worth it to wait another year to get my laptop ;)
You are so sweet. I can honestly say that Black Friday is the only day out of the year that I really DO NOT like(I would say hate, but I've always been told that's a strong word) Anyway... I'm glad to hear that you got what you sought out to get. Especially when it's for someone so special.
I'm so proud of you!! Believe it or not, there are some really NICE Black Friday shoppers. Some of my best friends are Black Friday addicts :-) Come with us next time and we'll do breakfast. Nancy J
COMPLETELY worth it. Even in the cold and with an overly-friendly-gum-chewing woman all up in your grizzle. I'm so glad your mom is enjoying it.
People who chew their gum out loud is one of my top pet peeves. I feel your frustration. I worked Black Friday and got to stand there while a my second customer paid in change. I wanted to hit her with a fly swater.
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