MANKATO , MINN. -
Black Friday brings long lines and chaos to stores, but that doesn't stop diehard shoppers from braving the crowds. These serious shoppers start preparing their shopping strategy well in advance of scouring the aisles.
Long before the leftovers were put away and family headed home, Deb Rabenhorst took one last look at the holiday ads.
"In the past I have gotten TV's for 100 and something dollars, you can't pass that deal up, I mean I'm sure you could pass it up, but not me," Black Friday bargain hunter Deb Rabenhorst said.
This year, she doesn't have any big-ticket items on her list, but that's not stopping her from missing the fun.
"I love getting the holidays starting this way, and I'm always up for saving an extra dollar or two, or 3," Rabenhorst said.
The long lines that might deter a retail rookie are just part of the experience for Rabenhorst, but the real fun starts once she gets inside.
"You never know year to year what is going to happen, it is just a whole different world," Rabenhorst said.
To those who don't participate in the Black Friday rush it might seem like madness, and something they want to avoid at all costs. But for those who do partake in the country's biggest shopping day, it's well worth the hustle and bustle, even if you don't get much sleep and have to wait in line.
"We wait in line, to wait in line again to pay," Rabenhorst said.
The deals, and more importantly for Rabenhorst, the experience are well worth it.
"I just love the craziness of it, I love the rush of it, it's just fun," Rabenhorst said.
That beats sleep any night.
"I know people think I'm crazy, but its fun," Rabenhorst said.
