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Harford's hard-core shoppers

On Black Friday: 'Be patient.'

BY L’OREAL THOMPSON

Posted 12/02/09

Marcia Thiess, of Bel Air, is a seasoned veteran when it comes to Black Friday. She’s been waking up early (or staying up late) for 23 years to get her pick of great deals.

“I started when my first daughter was born,” Thiess said. “And 23 years later, I’m still doing it.”

Thiess arrived at the Target in Bel Air at midnight, even though the store did not open until 5 a.m.

Rain, snow flurries and high winds weren’t enough to keep thousands of Harford County shoppers from scouring stores for bargains on the biggest shopping day of the year.

Thiess said shoppers should look through store circulars ahead of time and know where they’re going.

“Be patient. You have to wait a long time,” Thiess said. “Bring an iPod and friends to talk to. It makes it go a little quicker.”

Scott Lassahn, of Forest Hill, secured his first-place spot at Target at 9:30 p.m.

“This is my fourth year,” Lassahn said. “I want a bunch of different things. My friends want TVs. GPS’s are a big thing.”

Lassahn suggested shoppers line up early and know their routes.

“Get your big items first. Be civil, be orderly and calm,” Lassahn said. “And have fun.”

Shortly after finishing Thanksgiving dinner, Robert Lipinski, of Street, and his friends arrived at Best Buy in Bel Air at 5 p.m. Thursday, 12 hours before the store opened at 5 a.m.

“We heard a rumor the first guy in line last year got a free laptop,” Lipinski said.

So Lipinski grabbed his friend, Spencer King, of Forest Hill, and gave King the first spot in line.

“I’m here to get a free TV and a camera,” King said.

Last year, Lipinski said he heard a man sold his third-place spot in line at Best Buy for $350.

If the price were right, Lipinski said he would sell his spot, too.

“One hundred dollars for every hour I’ve been sitting here,” Lipinski joked.

But Matt Wobbleton, of Abingdon, was wishing for some warmer weather.

“I’d rather live in California to do this,” Wobbleton said.

Alex Pleines, of Forest Hill, who referred to himself as “The Entertainer,” kept the crowd amused with jokes.

“I’m here to get a TV,” Pleines said. “This is my first Black Friday. I think it’s fun. I’m just entertaining, trying to get everyone pumped up.”

Lipinski, who has shopped on Black Friday for four years, advised other shoppers to arrive early, bundle up and have someone bring food.

“We’ve been taking shifts sitting in the heated car,” Shane Temple, of Bel Air, said.

Sammie Wines, of Street, also had some advice.

“Make it fun,” Wines said. “I hate it when people get agitated because they’re not first.”

Across the street from Best Buy, Amy Ramsey, of Riverside, was first in line at Harford Mall in Bel Air to shop at Old Navy, which opened at 3 a.m.

“I’ve done this before, for years and years,” Ramsey, who arrived at the mall at 12:45 a.m., said. “You have to have a plan. Take a list of the things you want and cut out pictures. And dress warm.”

Ramsey also used the waiting time as an opportunity to make new friends.

“Talk to new people,” Ramsey said. “Everyone is out here for the same thing, so making friends is easy.”

Christina Elliott and Jordon Ussel, both of Bel Air, were the first people in line at Kohl’s at Bel Air on Friday shortly after midnight for the early bird specials, which began at 4 a.m.

Elliott and Jordan, 12, went to Kohl’s after a successful shopping trip at Toys “R” Us, which opened at midnight.

The duo came prepared with a plan for their shopping trip.

“He goes one way and I go the other,” Elliott said. “And then we meet at the register.”

And Elliott said it’s best to leave the shopping carts outside as they create more of a hassle.

At Kohl’s, Elliott said she was shopping for a Barbie jet, remote-controlled swords and handkerchiefs, before going to Wal-Mart.

In hopes to avoid repeating last year’s tragedy when a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death when doors opened for Black Friday, the country’s largest retailers offered extended hours, which allowed shoppers to go inside the store before sales started at 5 a.m.

But despite long lines and waiting outside in the cold, Elliott said Black Friday sales are “well worth it.”

“Last year, I saved $700 when I added up my receipts,” Elliott said.

But Jordon, 12, wasn’t as interested in saving money as he was the thrill of it all.

“I do it because it’s fun,” Jordon said. “It’s the adrenaline. I like Black Friday.”