Surviving Black Friday: My Adventure for a Bargain Laptop at Walmart

Black Friday Experience: A Personal Account

Years ago, I camped out at Wal Mart on Thanksgiving night for their Black Friday sale. I wanted to buy a laptop advertised at a low price. I prepared for the cold weather, dressing warmly and arriving by 11 p.m. I was relieved when the store manager invited us inside and allowed us to line up beside the customer service desk.

The store set up benches and chairs for us. An employee even brought us hot coffee. I felt fortunate compared to customers outside in the freezing weather. The manager asked us why we were there, and we all wanted the same laptop.

He gave each of us a numbered card marked with “laptop.” There were only twelve laptops available, and by that time, I was ninth in line. The sale was set for 5:30 a.m. By 5:00 a.m., the store was crowded with thousands of shoppers. Many people coming in discovered the laptops were already reserved.

At 5:15 a.m., the manager led our group of twelve back to the electronics department. We had to stick together and protect our cards. As we walked, others eyed us with curiosity. When they realized we were the lucky ones to buy the laptops, some left disappointed.

The laptops arrived on a cart, guarded by employees. Some customers looked eager to grab them, which made the guards anxious. When the clock struck 5:30, we received our laptops and rushed to the register to pay. I hurried home, clutching my new laptop tightly.

Was it worth the hassle? It depends on perspective. I got a good laptop for half price, which I found worthwhile.

Over the years, Black Friday has seen chaos. There have been tramplings and injuries at stores across the country. Some shoppers have even fought over merchandise. To prevent such incidents, big-box stores now hire off-duty police officers and increasingly offer sales online.

Today, you can find many Black Friday deals online, which eliminates the need for physical lines and confrontations. Even Wal Mart now provides most of its Black Friday deals online.

I still support local businesses by shopping in person. For larger stores, I prefer shopping from home, avoiding the madness of Black Friday.