Shoppers Camp Out For Free Gift Cards -

[Breeze54]

Shoppers Camp Out For Free Gift Cards

Retailers Trying To Kick Start Holiday Shopping Season


POSTED: 6:24 am EST November 16, 2007
UPDATED: 6:46 am EST November 16, 2007

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/money/14613414/detail.html

BOSTON --

The holiday shopping season usually doesn't begin until the day after Thanksgiving, but some stores
are trying to get a head start by offering free gift cards and hundreds of eager customers camped
out all night at a store in Mansfield to be first in line for the freebies.

NewsCenter 5's Gail Huff reported that many of them were bundled in jackets, hats and gloves, dozing
in sleeping bags on the sidewalk outside a store that was giving out 500 free L.L. Bean gift cards
to the first customers in line.



Vendors were providing hot food and hand warmers to customers who huddled in the cold and rain.

Retailers are going to extremes to get customers going earlier than ever. Some are sending text
messages to mobile phones to notify consumers about sales and gift suggestions. Some will provide
wake up calls on the day after Thanksgiving.

The retail picture is uncertain with falling housing prices, a credit crunch and rising fuel costs.

"I'm here for the $500 gift card," said one man who arrived at the Mansfield L.L. Bean store at 8 p.m. Thursday.

"I'm No. 8 in line," another said.

More.....

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Survey: When Do You Start?

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/money/14613414/detail.html#

SURVEY

When do you usually start holiday shopping?

In the summer - 2 - 29%

Around Halloween - 0 - 0%

Right after Thanksgiving - 2 - 29%

Mid-December - 1 - 14%

A few days before Christmas - 1 - 14%

Other - 1 - 14%

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I wish I had known about the free LL Bean gift cards!

It's probably to late to go down there now! :(

[fasttense]

1. I belong to the church of stop shopping. I never start my holiday shopping. n/t

[Breeze54]

2. I don't do much holiday shopping anymore.

My kids are grown now and my siblings have more than enough stuff but I like to do a little
something for my family anyway, no matter how small. I don't do near the shopping I used to
anymore, like when my children were small. But a free gift card would've been nice! :D

[TheCowsCameHome]

3. I hope they're using LL Bean outdoor equipment while they wait.

It's great stuff.

[Breeze54]

4. lol! It didn't look that way

from the pic. Some wrapped in afghans and it's raining and chilly here.

[Javaman]

5. Modern day soup line. nt

[SoCalDem]

6. Desperation²

I did what little shopping I had to do for Xmas..from Plow & Hearth catalog..and got a $50 discount..:)