Hard-Core Shoppers Say Spending Thanksgiving in Line is Worth It

Matt Haney wasn’t planning on camping out overnight in line at . The first-time shopper didn’t even have a tent, let alone an umbrella, but he braved the rain and near-freezing temperatures anyway.

He went to visit a friend in line at 6 p.m. Wednesday night and found a long lining already forming — more than 30 hours before the scheduled midnight Friday opening time.

That’s when store employees started handing out priority wristbands.

“They said there might be enough TVs for us, so we stuck around,” Haney, 18, said.

Haney is one of about 75 people who were in line as of 10 a.m. Thursday.

The highly sought after “doorbuster” deal that most people are coveting this year is a 42-inch Sharp LCD HDTV for $200.

“I think it’s a steal,” Haney said.

Though the store’s doors won’t open until midnight, those in line said the savings are worth the wait. One family even plans to carve their turkey and eat it there.

According to others in line, the shoppers were gathering as early as 10 p.m. Tuesday night. They were still asleep in their tent Wednesday morning.

Carlos Tomas, 35, of Hayward, and his family members were second in line. They’ve been there since about 6 a.m. Wednesday.

It’s the second time he’s waited for Black Friday bargains. In 2009, he said, he saved about $1,000 on a computer and TV.

The heavy rain Wednesday night didn’t seem to bother the bargain hunters.

“It’s only freezing temperatures and water,” joked C.J. Pasion, 27.

Those without a tent used a tarp as protection from the rain.

The fact that they’re celebrating Thanksgiving in line wasn’t an issue, either.

Araseli Arce, 37, is waiting in line with her husband, brother and four children. They have a tent, lawn chairs and a cooler with food. They’ve been waiting since 9:45 a.m. Wednesday. This morning, she took two of her children home for a nap and put a turkey in the oven.

“As soon as the turkey’s ready, I’m bringing it here, and we’re cutting it right here,” she said. “This is our Thanksgiving.”

Arce said she’s in line to buy gifts for her children.

“With the way the economy is, we have to look for the bargains,” she said. “It’s the only time we’re able to get our stuff.”

She’s made friends with several others in line. She and Debbie Rupe, who she met in line, already have plans to be first in line next year.

“It’s an adventure, and it’s fun,” said Debbie Rupe, 56. She’s in line so she can buy the 42-inch Sharp TV for her 77-year-old father.

“I’m going to do it again next year. I know it,” she said. “Times are hard. They’re giving us savings, and we’re jumping on it.”

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