The art of Bonanza purchases

It was the 2001 Thanksgiving weekend. I used to be based in the US then and had gone to Las Vegas(US) for that weekend. The Thanksgiving weekend is very famous for the "amazing deals" the Retailers & discount stores give. But there is a catch. The deals normally last only for the first few hours (or till stocks last) and hence people start queuing at these stores early in the morning before sunrise ( Sometimes it reminds me of the US consulate queue in India) so that they are the first to enter the shop when it opens in the morning.

My friend cajoled me during this trip for a early morning jaunt to the Fry's electronics shop on the Thanksgiving day ( Imagine standing on a Thanksgiving day morning at 5am outside a retalier shop in Las vegas instead of gambling in the sin city , but then we are Indians !) . We rushed into the shop as soon as it opened and grabbed some unbelievable deals ( Got 100 free CD-R's , Scanner for $9.99, Color Printer for $9.99 etc..) . When I reflect on this incident today, I am surprised and laugh at this whole silly episode. I wouldn't lose my sleep over a "must buy" deal today but then I was far more materialistic and stupid ( perhaps the stupidity still continues !) during those days.

Why the hell am I telling all this now ? I was reading this week's cover story in BusinessWeek on Ikea. Read about this astonishing guy and I look like a saint in comparison !!!

When Roger Penguino heard Ikea was offering $4,000 in gift certificates to the first person in line at the opening of its new Atlanta store, he had no choice. He threw a tent in the back of his car and sped down to the site. There, the 24-year-old Mac specialist with Apple Computer Inc. pitched camp, hunkered down, and waited. And waited. Seven broiling days later, by the time the store opened on June 29, more than 2,000 Ikea fanatics had joined him. Some were lured by the promise of lesser prizes for the first 100. Others were just there for the carnival atmosphere (somebody even brought a grill). The newly wed Penguino got his certificates and bagged a $799 Karlanda sofa and a $179 Malm bed, among other items. He also achieved celebrity status: "Whenever I go back, employees recognize me and show me the new stuff."