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Best Buy Campers Have Tradition

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By KEITH MORELLI

kmorelli@tampatrib.com

Published: November 27, 2008

BRANDON - As Black Friday ticks ever closer, you'd think a once-in-a-lifetime sale will be taking place when Best Buy opens at 5 a.m. Friday.

Four nylon tents line the sidewalk just east of the front door. Sleepy-eyed squatters peer out from half-open flaps.

Sitting in a lawn chair Wednesday morning was Arley Smude, a 21-year-old recent graduate of the University of Central Florida who returned from a trip to Asia and Eastern Europe to get in this line.

"I'm here to get the 10th season DVD of 'The Simpsons,'" he said with a smirk, noting that the show is in its 20th year.

"I'm here to get a vacuum cleaner," piped in Mark Heim, sitting in the morning sun next to Smude.

This isn't about being first in line to get this year's hot gadget. It's about being with pals during the holidays.

"Is it worth it for me to come here this early to make a purchase of a laptop or a desktop computer?" Smude said. "No, but it is great to be with friends once a year."

Tonight, the campers will enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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