Yesterday morning, I woke up at around 2 a.m. to go to Sam's Club for a Black Friday deal. Tim and I took turns alternating standing in line and shopping at Best Buy and Staples (which were in the same shopping center). The deal was a $0.96 Samsung Galaxy S III phone. And I got it. I got the last blue one, and the guy behind me in line got the last two reds and the last white. That was close.
Waiting in line, though, was very fun, just watching and listening to them. That in and of itself is a post all its own.
Sam's has really worked out a great way for dealing with Black Friday crowds, though. Very impressed. Before their doors opened at 7:00 a.m., a couple of managers and supervisors went through the line, beginning to end, to ask what they wanted. Then, an employee handed out little slips of paper that represented how many of each in-demand item they had in stock, and gave them out as requested.
If you were there for a cell phone, they had to schedule an appointment to re-up your cell plan, which meant that you could leave and return for your appointment; your phone was reserved for you.
The doors opened at 7:00, and they started letting everyone in, about 15 people at a time, to avoid pushing and crowding and insane lines. We walked through, picked up our pre-lit Christmas tree and headed to check out.
Easy. Peasy.
When we went back for the appointment and the phone, they were ahead of schedule. My appointment was for 11:00, but I was talking to a guy starting at 10:40 or so. Great customer service. Everyone was so happy, friendly, and helpful. Maybe it was because they were allowed somewhat normal hours.
And they all lived happily ever after.
Waiting in line, though, was very fun, just watching and listening to them. That in and of itself is a post all its own.
Sam's has really worked out a great way for dealing with Black Friday crowds, though. Very impressed. Before their doors opened at 7:00 a.m., a couple of managers and supervisors went through the line, beginning to end, to ask what they wanted. Then, an employee handed out little slips of paper that represented how many of each in-demand item they had in stock, and gave them out as requested.
If you were there for a cell phone, they had to schedule an appointment to re-up your cell plan, which meant that you could leave and return for your appointment; your phone was reserved for you.
The doors opened at 7:00, and they started letting everyone in, about 15 people at a time, to avoid pushing and crowding and insane lines. We walked through, picked up our pre-lit Christmas tree and headed to check out.
Easy. Peasy.
When we went back for the appointment and the phone, they were ahead of schedule. My appointment was for 11:00, but I was talking to a guy starting at 10:40 or so. Great customer service. Everyone was so happy, friendly, and helpful. Maybe it was because they were allowed somewhat normal hours.
And they all lived happily ever after.
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