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OREM - Utah's most devoted sale-seekers are already lining up to get the best deals, even though Black Friday is still four days away.
Some shoppers have been camping outside Orem's Best Buy for a week. They're determined to be the first in line for the Thanksgiving bargains, and for many, it's a tradition. Portable generators are keeping them warm, so they're not exactly roughing it.
"It's crazy," said Lindon resident Nathan Bracken. "I didn't expect to see people camped out right now."
Many customers going in and out of the store shake their heads when they see a row of tents pitched on the sidewalk. But those in line don't seem to mind.
People walk by and call you crazy. I like it.
–Logan Burr
"We have a TV and a PlayStation in there, so it's pretty fun," said Thomas Elliott, an avid Black-Friday shopper, who also happens to be fourth in line.
It's his second year camping out for Black Friday specials. Last year, he took home what he calls some great deals.
"We got a whole bunch of DVD players that were pretty cheap and some TVs that were good," Elliott said.
Logan Burr pitched his tent last Monday night. For the past seven days, he's called it home.
"People walk by and call you crazy," he said. "I like it."
Burr says he is comfortable and enjoying every minute of it, passing the time with a PlayStation, TV, DVD player, and laptop computer.
"Of course they have good deals and we buy stuff, but it's more of a tradition than anything else now," he said.
As retailers gear up for Black Friday, so do police. Three major retailers in Orem have hired off-duty officers to help keep order on Friday.
"With crowd control, make sure people are being respectful of each other," said Orem Police Sgt. Craig Martinez. "We also want to watch for all those theft crimes we have this time of year."
When the doors open at midnight and a swarm of people fill the store, professional Black Friday shoppers will be ready.
"Everything is planned out as to what I'm getting and where I'm going," said Burr. "I know what I'm doing."
Many of these shoppers say they'll buy electronics for themselves and to give as gifts. Some even try to resell the items online.
As for Thanksgiving, many say they rely on family or friends to bring them a plate of turkey dinner - their last meal until the shopping can finally begin.
