MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Pre-BLACK Friday deals start Thanksgiving Day, and folks are wasting no time getting in line right now to nab the best deals.
"We started setting up at 3:30 this afternoon," said Sarah Awtrey who was setting up her tent outside the Best Buy in Cordova.
Three people had already formed a line Wednesday afternoon outside Best Buy for a sale which doesn’t start until 12 a.m. Friday.
"We're getting a TV for people at work,” said Kris McCormic another shopper in line.
Missing Thanksgiving is no big deal for these guys either.
"The food will be left over so it'll be fine,” Awtrey said as she laughed.
Black Friday is the biggest sales day for many retail stores. It marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and electronics are always big draws for customers.
The general manager of the Best Buy in Cordova says they have seen more shoppers this year compared to last. So when employees see customers lined up almost 2 days in advance they’re happy.
"I call them our best customers if they're willing to wait this long,” said Best Buy General Manager Charlie Peterson.
Other customers think it's a bit too much.
"Yea they're crazy,” said Charley Wells as he walked out of Best Buy. “I ain’t getting up that early in the morning for that. I'll be in my bed by then that turkey will be just about right.”
"Family is first. This is just material,” said another shopper Janlen Pittman. “I took off Thanksgiving so I can spend time with my little brother."
Clearly the three people in line don't mind the wait.
"I got my generator, my Xbox, the TV, and some Red Bull,” said Stephen Alexander, also part of the group first in line at Best Buy.
Economists say this is the fourth year in a row holiday shopping has gone up. Some stores start their "Black Friday" deals even earlier on Thanksgiving Day. Stores like Walmart, Toys R' Us, Target and Sears open Thanksgiving Day between 8 and 9 pm.
