Shoppers get early start on Black Friday deals - KMSP-TV

Thousands of shoppers across the metro Atlanta area hit the stores in search of Black Friday bargains.   This year, the madness got underway earlier than ever.

At midnight, hundreds of people were lined up outside stores at the Mall of Georgia in Buford. It was the first time that the mall had opened at midnight.  Mall managers said they were just trying to meet customer demand.

"Really it's dictated by the shoppers. If the shoppers are going to keep coming out earlier, we're going to keep opening up earlier. We're just happy to be here and to see all the shopping bags," said Carol Cox of the Mall of Georgia.

While Courtney Cook said she wasn't sold on the overnight shopping, she was willing to do whatever it took to get a jacket from H&M and a skirt from American Eagle Outfitters.

By noon, Joanna Sinclair said her Snellville family was finished with the first round of shopping and was ready for round two.

"The deals are great. I shop all year and trust me, I know the prices. So, the deals are wonderful," said Sinclair, who estimated she saved up to $300.

PHOTOS: BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPERS

Some other stores didn't wait for Friday. The hunt for deep discounts began at 8 p.m. at the Toys R Us across the street from that Mall of Georgia. The store had as many as 400 waiting in line – some as long as 8 hours – before doors opened.

Target stores opened their doors at 9 p.m. on Thursday to get a jump start on holiday deals. The retailer says it's the earliest the stores have ever opened to offer doorbuster deals.

Still, more doorbuster deals began at 4 a.m. Red card holders had early access to select Black Friday sale items online.

Best Buy opened their doors at midnight for the crowds who had waited for days for the Black Friday deals. Some Shoppers started camping out at Acworth location on Monday.

Most people in line said they were looking to get a 40-inch flat screen for $180. There were also some big deals on tablets and computers.