Edmonton shoppers earn their Boxing Day deals

FIFA 15 | PACK OPENING 6.0 BOXING DAY | DoctorePoLLo

Despite fears that increasing competition from online retailers would temper the Boxing Day chaos, stores across Edmonton were packed with customers looking for big savings.

Youve maybe got to park a little further away from the store, bear the cold and the long lines, but if youre going to save some money, you have to pay the price somehow, said Darrick Aube, who was still smiling about saving $400 on his new 60-inch flat screen television as he loaded it into the back of his truck with help from his father, Brian Aube.

Both say they usually avoid the chaos of Boxing Day shopping, but the savings this year were simply too good to pass up.

It was busy in there, but it wasnt bad, said Brian, outside of the Best Buy on Stony Plain Road. We were in and out of there in maybe 15 or 20 minutes.

The lines of cars trying to get into West Edmonton Mall stretched for blocks in all directions, but shoppers at Kingsway Mall managed to cut through the crowds to rack up some savings.

I call this a suicide walk, laughed Angus Cameron, feeling lucky to get out in one piece as he helped Tammy Steeves pick up a Doctor Who themed mini-fridge for Steeves daughter.

Sisters Madison Mercer, 12, and Summer Mercer, 16, were more than willing to brave long lines and crowds in order to help stretch their Christmas spending money.

I think its worth running through people rather than spending twice as much, said Madison, whose best score of the day was purchasing pair of pants for $19 that usually retail for $55 dollars.

I didnt think it was going to be this good for deals, added Summer, who spent her budget on clothes and gift cards. It was crazy, but it was fun.

Danielle Duguay seized the opportunity to purchase a new pricey winter jacket she has been coveting at half the price.

I saw it a while back, but it was too expensive. Then they put it on a really good deal, she said, adding that in order to take full advantage of Boxing Day sales, patience is the key.

Debbie Delorme and 13-year-old Izabella Delorme, have turned Boxing Day shopping into an annual mother-daughter tradition.

I knew where I wanted to go so we didnt have to waste time, because I dont like big crowds, said Izabella, grinning ear-to-ear while showing off a new pair of winter boots bedazzled with rhinestones that she got for a fraction of the regular cost.

You can still get some pretty good deals, you just have to look around sometimes, said Debbie, who recommends staring early and knowing where you want to go to get the most out of your shopping experience.

PARKING . . . I"LL PASS

While Boxing Day sales werent hard to find at West Edmonton Mall on Friday, parking definitely was, with lines of cars stretching for blocks in all directions.

You should have hired police officers to direct traffic. Its insane, tweeted a frustrated @whoisalbert.

While stores in North Americas largest mall open two and a half hours early to accomodate seasoned bargain hunters, @DKSkittle39 tweeted out a warning about parking just past 7 a.m.

Already a line up to park at [West Edmonton Mall]! Wonder if any of the expectant mother spots are still open, she posted.

Oh, its not THAT busy, tweeted @Conal_Mac, using the sarcastic hashtag #ClosestParkingSpotWasInSpruceGrove.

Despite the fact that West Edmonton Mall boasts the largest parking lot in the world, with enough space to accomodate 20,000 vehicles, the promise of big savings at over 800 stores was easily enough to overwhelm them, with the @Official_WEM twitter account suggesting overflow parking early in the afternoon.

Im #insane thats the only reason I would be at west edmonton mall on #BoxingDay, tweeted @MissyHollyAnn.

@Claire Theobald

claire.theobald@sunmedia.ca

Source: http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/12/26/edmonton-shoppers-earn-their-boxing-day-deals