In warmer parts of the country, bargain hunters have been lined up in front best Buy stores for nearly a week trying to save $500 to $1,000 or more on big screen TVs and other electronics. But Minnesotans seem to be less patient and more weather weary. We wait until the Sunday before Thanksgiving before hauling out the tent, portable heater, rations and camping chairs.
That's according to Joe Geary of Minneapolis (pictured), who is first in line at the Best Buy in Richfield. It's his 16th year in front of Best Buy for Black Friday deals. He keeps 10 percent of what he hauls in that day and gives the rest away to people in need, he said. An employee at the Bureau of Indian Education, he's on vacation this week, as he waits and waits and waits for TVs and computers discounted hundreds of dollars.
At 3 p.m. Monday, three tents had been set up at the Best Buy in Richfield. Only two were occupied, one by Geary and another by an unemployed man who asked not to be identified due to a pending "settlement" of an undisclosed nature. Both spoke of the camaraderie that develops among the campers. Geary brings coffee and doughnuts for his new friends.
Best Buy shopper Tom Seibora of West St. Paul thinks the camping out is "ridiculous." "I did it once and would never do it again. It's not worth the aggravation," he said.
So what is it worth? Let's say a person spends about 100 hours (4 days) waiting for Best Buy's doors to open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. And let's assume that they save $1,500 on their purchases. In that case, the bargain bunter is getting paid the equivalent of about $15 per hour.
Another upside? They're not stuck making Thanksgiving dinner. Most of the campers have family or friends who bring it to them, said Geary.
