Shoppers line up for pre-Black Friday deals

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Thanksgiving was barely over when the doorbuster Black Friday sales got underway across the country.

In the Bay Are, shoppers lined up hours before stores even opened. Some had camped for a few days.

A couple of people said they shopped online, but were headed to a brick-and-mortar store to check out the deals in person.

“I'm shopping for a TV because mine's broke. I'm finally able to buy a new one,” said shopper Joseph Pimentel. “I usually shop at pawn shops and things like that, but they're not worth it. I came here to get a good deal.”

At the Best Buy on Dale Mabry Highway, the line went around the building.

The biggest line by 5 p.m. in the Tampa area may have been the one at the Citrus Park Best Buy. Hundreds of people stood in line for a crack at the sales, including a woman who waited in line for 24 hours.

“[We’re here for] the doorbusters and just phenomenal pricing, looking to save a dollar. I literally wait all year. I kind of have a strategy,” said Natasha White, who waited in line 24 hours.

Electronics are hot items this season, and we saw plenty of shopping carts with televisions and tablets at Target. Some people said they are also going out to shop tomorrow for day-of Black Friday deals.

“This is the only day I shop all year. Everything else is online. I don't like crowds even though there's lots of people around. I just do my thing, and then I wrap for the next 30 days,” said shopper Anne Murphy.

Not everyone agrees with shopping on Thanksgiving. Some said they had Thanksgiving early, or they had planned to meet up with families later after the doorbusters.