Outside Manchester's Toys R Us just before midnight, a large crowd tried to jump the line and rush the door at the scheduled opening. When a police officer told them to stop, they taunted him.No actual violence ensued. This time.Eventually, 20 officers from Manchester, South Windsor, East Hartford and the state police managed the line. Police made sure managers did not open the Toys R Us store until the crowd formed into orderly lines -- at 12:55 a.m.
Midnight Scene At Toys R Us: Parents Overcome Hardship, Police Control Crowds [Hartford Courant] (Thanks, Dennis!)
(Photo: Kevin Michael Dwyer)
]]>I am convinced a significant portion of these BF shoppers do not shop online. I continue to meet people that have never purchased anything from Amazon. My sister in law's parents don't even have a credit or debit card, so never shop online.
Best, simplest answer. Not knocking the store, just the mindset that the price today is so much better than the price tomorrow.
]]>You see, people. This is why we can't have nice things.
These types of situations are the ONLY justifiable use of those 'less lethal' crowd control measures such as microwaving brains and such. They shouldn't be allowed to use those methods on idealistic protesting citizens (which they will, I'm sure), only on those unruly rioters who don't actually have any better cause than "I didn't get a _______ that I wanted in the exact moment when I wanted it."
I don't understand these people who think saving $20 is worth standing in line, fighting over merchandise, and spending the afternoon in traffic jams. The economy may be poor, and people may have less to spend, but savvy online shopping will net the same result in many cases. I'll just wait for the UPS driver to pull up and chuck the package on my porch.
]]>http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/nov/27/toy-store-crowd-raucous-stories-differ-outcome/
]]>Google "Connecticut's for F******" and listen to the song.
]]>Son and I were at Bob's Store today (New England chain; clothing etc.) during Friday doorbuster hours when a 30% off coupon applied until 1 pm. At 12:52 am, a voice on the loudspeaker informed everyone that "special coupon and purchase hours have been extended."
A floor staff person next to us wondered why, and her colleague said: "to prevent rioting at the cash registers." There were lines at each register snaking back through the store, with people all trying to use their coupons in time. Better safe than sorry, I say. Plus, I was glad to be able to use that coupon on my son's Sauconys. :-)
]]>Put the $ back in $mas.
]]>* Except when behind the wheel; everyone knows Connecticut drivers are among the worst in the country (see e.g. this article).
]]>Or just the threat would probably work.
]]>