Giant Eagle ~ Black Friday 2009

[Weinergirl]

So my Giant Eagle flyer had a page in the middle of it with the announcement "Select stores open at 3 am on Black Friday!" Why? Are there special deals at Giant Eagle? And who in the world goes at 3 am?

[s24s]

My only guess is that they want people to come there first to get gift cards.....

[Weinergirl]

But... wouldn't you just buy a gift card the week before? LOL

[marrelam]

They are talking about other "select" retailers such as Kmart, Sears, Walmart, etc. opening @ 3am.

At least that's how I interpreted it.

[jen276here]

They did something similar last year, but I think they actually opened at Midnight. It is so you can buy gift cards for the BF sales. I think they do it because the 'average' shopper doesn't see the BF ads until Thursday and will want to take advantage of the fuel perks. It is the only day of the year that they guarantee that almost all gift cards will be activated immediately vs the normal 24hr wait. As I recall, they were very successful with it last year.

[Weinergirl]

I see, so maybe you don't want to buy your gift cards until you see the ads and decide which stores you want to shop at? I guess that makes a little more sense... LOL

[amypepsi]

Our Mall has a Giant Eagle Kiosk in the middle and what we did last year was go buy gift cards then go shopping..
The Ad was talking about Stores that open at 3 am like Sears.. It was for Gift Cards..

[amypepsi]

They did something similar last year, but I think they actually opened at Midnight. It is so you can buy gift cards for the BF sales. I think they do it because the 'average' shopper doesn't see the BF ads until Thursday and will want to take advantage of the fuel perks. It is the only day of the year that they guarantee that almost all gift cards will be activated immediately vs the normal 24hr wait. As I recall, they were very successful with it last year.

We have never had to wait 24 hrs for a GC to be Activated.. We usually buy the GC then go use it.. Even when we go out to eat.

[jen276here]

I'm thinking it is for those who don't see/shop the BF ads online before Thurs.

[Weinergirl]

I would rather go for black friday deals at GE.... 25c milk, BOGO produce, etc.