Lines form extra early for Black Friday bargains and deals

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The day which is Black Friday Eve, better known as Thanksgiving, is hours away.  But 24 hours before most people start carving their turkey, some hardy souls carved their places in line.

The shadows lengthen as evening falls outside the Lafayette Best Buy store Wednesday.  But while it was still morning, a few got ready for an event still more than 36 hours away.

Denine Jackson is Shopper #1, with some Super-Mom mixed in.

Wednesday is her son's birthday but he has to work.  Somehow, she managed to talk three others into coming with her to get the 2 televisions, blu-ray player and laptop on her shopping list.  They arrived before 11:00 a.m.

"I'm going to save well over $1,000," said Jackson. "Yeah, it's worth it."

Keep in mind, she's got a night ahead of her, then a full day, then a second night before Best Buy opens up at 12:01 Friday morning.

"Without a doubt, I'm planning on sleeping in this chair," said Jackson with a laugh.  "I'm going to take my medicine and go to sleep right here in this chair."

It's tough to believe, but Jason Caudill isn't even part of the 2nd toughest bunch and he arrived at 5:00 p.m.  Even with his 'late arrival', he will still be able to buy the items he wants.

"It will be a great novelty to be first," said Caudill. "But I'm okay with it."

Those passing by, like Mike Tocco, cannot help but applaud the efforts and dedication of this hardy bunch.

"They got a lot more courage and warmer clothes than I have," said Tocco.

Inside, store employees work hard to get everything ready, setting down lines and numbering registers hoping to make this Black Friday go off without a hitch.

In just the first hour of Black Friday 2010, Best Buy said more than 1,200 shoppers came inside the store. They are expecting even more this year.

Part of the reason are the big tickets items already appropriately wrapped up like Christmas gifts waiting for their time.  In fact, they wait just like Jackson and others wrapped up and sitting outside in the chilly darkness.

"I feel good," said Jackson.  "I feel really, really good that I'm going to walk out of Best Buy with some of the best deals."

It's a deal for Jackson that is 36 hours in the making.
    
Her family celebrated Thanksgiving Tuesday.  She said she does it all because of the joy that comes watching faces light up on Christmas.