SAN ANTONIO – Black Friday is still more than two days away but that hasn't stopped some eager deal seekers from lining up and camping out.
Abigail Mires and her cousin Maria Matticola planned to spend plenty of time together during their Thanksgiving break and turned their vacation into an impromptu camping trip.
"We'd be hanging out together anyway it's just now we're in a tent outside the store," said Matticola from inside the tent she shares with Abigail outside the Best Buy at Alamo Ranch.
"About three years ago our parents started letting us stay in line," added Abigail. We started staying at Walmart and last year was our first time staying at Best Buy."
It's a win-win situation for the cousins and their parents.
"Now we just camp out for them and they join us to pay for all the stuff," said Matticola.
Last year, they were seventh in line and this year they almost got the top spot, but missed out to a pair of even earlier squatters who staked their claim on Sunday. But they still expect to get what they're waiting for.
"We both need new laptops because our laptops broke so we're getting that and I also want to get a new camera," said Matticola.
But the wait isn't without some downsides, mostly stares and rude comments and the occasional clueless security guard.
"This morning the security guard came out and asked if we were homeless, so we had to explain to her that we were here for Black Friday," said Mires.
"I don't know if any deal is worth sleeping on the sidewalk for three days," said Mollee Alexander as she walked past them into the store.
The girls do plan to take some breaks with their family filling in every so often. While many people just shook their heads as they walked by, Sylvia Plasencia decided to get in line, afraid she might not get a better spot. Family delivered a tent which the cousins helped set up. Plasencia's family is also taking the team approach.
"My sister in-law, my husband, his brother, just a bunch of people," said Plasencia, as she shared popcorn with her sons and Abigail and Maria.
Best Buy will open doors nationwide at midnight on Friday.