Black Friday shopping

[gja1000]

Did anyone do it? What is your story? Here's mine.

Gary and I decided we'd get up and go to Sears at 3:30AM (for a 4:00AM opening) to try to get a washer and dryer set that had been $2000, was on sale for $1700, but was on Black Friday special for $999 for the pair . I have a perfectly fine washer and dryer set - but they are at least 10 years old, maybe a bit older. At our new house, we are on a septic system, so it makes sense to get a high efficiency washer that uses less water. In all the literature about living with a septic system, it says to minimize the water discharge each day, e.g. to only do two loads of laundry per day. Now, mind you, I rarely do more than 2 loads of laundry per day - for just Gary and I - so that really isn't as much of a concern, as it is an excuse to get a new washer and dryer Also, I really need to leave the washer and dryer here at the old house, just in case Brooke and the kids have to live here this spring - RIGHT? Yes, I thought so.

OK, first for the weather. We got to the line outdoors at 3:40, so didn't have long till the store opened at 4:00. The temperature was 39, wind chill was 22 and while we were standing there it started to rain - not hard though, just a steady sprinkle. In just a few minutes, I thought I felt something sting me on the face - what was happening was that little ice pellets were falling! Man, was that ever a COLD 20 minutes! (I know, I'm a wimp).

Now, back to the washer/dryer saga. Of course, the price was too good to be true. We were 5th in line at the appliance cashier and after two people bought the set, they said they were out of them. The ad said there would be 6 sets per store, so you can imagine there were lots of hopping mad people - including MY HUSBAND . He wanted to make a scene, but I got him to leave (WHEW).

While we were standing in line outside, I was talking to the woman standing in line behind me, who by the way had on a windbreaker, capris and FLIP FLOPS (only in Austin ). I mentioned that I saw a BIG line at Best Buy on the 10:00PM news. She said that last year she bought a TV online at Black Friday price, from Best Buy on Wednesday before Black Friday, and that it was silly to stand in the Best Buy line when you could buy from them online.

So, when I came back home, I went directly to the computer and sure enough, I got the washer and dryer set online for $999! I was so happy, and especially happy that Gary was not so mad anymore! I'm still a little leery that I will get an email telling me they were actually sold out - but I do have a confirmation number and a delivery date, so hopefully, I actually will get them!