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These Shoppers Find Deals Early, And Often

News Channel 8 photo by RUGENE MOORE

These bargain hunters wait to exit the Best Buy in Brandon as security checks items in their basket.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 28, 2008

Despite a gloomy economy marked by layoffs and lost investments, retail stores were overrun with bargain hunters on a day dubbed "Black Friday," the start of the holiday shopping season.

Some bought for themselves while others purchased Christmas gifts for friends and loved ones at prices that were too good to pass up. Fearing tough economic times may keep consumers from spending, many retailers promoted their holiday sales early and offered huge discounts on high-definition TVs, video games and clothing.

Here are some of the people who got up early and stood in long lines to get the best deals on Black Friday.

Betty Hetherington, 35, Gibsonton

What time did you get started? "5 a.m."

What's been your biggest hassle? "Just getting through the crowds."

What's been your best bargain/deal? "A 16-in-1 multigame set and a wet/dry vacuum."

How has the economy affected your spending habits this holiday? "I'm not going to let it."

Tom and Coral Voorhees, 48 and 41, respectively, Zephyrhills

What time did you get started today? "8 a.m".

What's been your biggest hassle? "The lines."

What's been your best deal? "At Wal-Mart, they had DVDs for $2. There were some pretty good titles, too."

How has the economy affected your spending habits this holiday? "It's going to be very minimal. We're only buying gifts for the children this year."

Beth Sturtz, 33, Tampa

What time did you get started today? "6 a.m."

What's been your biggest hassle? "No hassles. Everybody has been super friendly."

What's been your best bargain/deal? "The Garmin GPS at Target. On sale for more than $100 off the normal price."

How has the economy affected your spending habits? "More preplanning on gifts, picking one item per person, rather than just going shopping around for things."

Richard Jones, 36, Tampa

What time did you get started today? "6 a.m."

What's been your biggest hassle? "It's been awesome. Really smooth."

What's been your best bargain/deal? "Headphones from Bang & Olufsen purchased for $60, on sale from $160. "

How has the economy affected your spending habits? No effect at all. "We need to spend our way out of this recession. I'm single-handedly going to do it."

Judy Urda, 56, Tampa

What time did you get started today? "8 a.m."

What's been your biggest hassle? No hassles. "The moods are even and no one is cranky yet." "Bath & Body was the busiest. That was probably where we did most of our shopping."

What's been your best bargain/deal? "$10 off a car seat from Sears."

How has the economy affected your spending habits? "We're getting more useful things rather than extra feel-good things."

Tom Brennan, Lois Kindle, Laura Kinsler, Keith Morelli, Russell Ray, Kevin Wiatrowski and D'Ann White contributed to this report.

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