Black Friday lines start forming

The promise of massive savings send people into lines during a bitter cold Thanksgiving.

At one Colorado Springs Best Buy, shoppers began forming a line Wednesday afternoon.

“This year, I’m looking a for a 49-inch TV,” said customer Ahmed Hassan. “Most of my family is here. We sit down relax, just hang out.”

Other customers saw the line, heard about the deal and decided to join in.

“Starting to think about it,” said Jake Scott. “Is it worth it? Check back with us on Monday and we’ll let you know.”

While stores like Best Buy will open on Thanksgiving night, managers promise more deals throughout the holiday season besides the Black Friday “doorbusters”.

But the trend of opening earlier each year ended with one store.

REI is promoting an opt-out campaign, encouraging employees and customers to spend the day with friends and family. It’s the first time the store hasn’t been open on Black Friday.

“I like it, because everybody gets their day off,” said customer Benjamin Brunson. “Those sales could happen at other times.”

One million people have joined the movement online.

“Over the past year, it’s just gone overboard. The camping out the day before, camping out all day before Thanksgiving,” said customer Doug Yusker. “I’m really encouraged that people snap out of the commercial thing and leave this holiday alone.”

REI, too, promises future sales throughout the holiday season.

Shoppers throughout southern Colorado plan to shop online to get items they wouldn’t want to seek out in stores on Black Friday.