Being Nerdy at Best Buy

I never knew being a Best Buy Reward Zone member could have such perks. Last week I got an invitation in the mail to attend a special "members only" sales event at Best Buy tonight from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. That's prime watching-TV-in-bed time at my house, but something about being part of this "exclusive" event appealed to me. So much so, in fact, I invited friends to go along, which was allowed, according to the invitation.

My friend Ginger and I left a few minutes after 7 p.m. to go up to Best Buy. We had to be there early to get in line. We're laughing all the way, commenting about how nerdy we are to even be interested in this event. As we pull into the parking lot, we see that a line already has formed.

I'm ticked, because the invitation said the first 100 customers in line would receive a free wireless mouse (for which I have no use) and I thought there might already be 100 people in line. I had Ginger drop me off up front so I could get in line and save us a spot while she parked her Jeep.

They hand out tickets for the free mouse and thankfully, Ginger and I each get one.

When they open the doors, we all herd in like cattle. The camera Ginger wants isn't in stock. I have nothing in mind that I want to buy. Really, I am there to win a $50 gift card, which they are giving away every 15 minutes. I went in there fully expecting to hear my number called, and I am indignant each time they didn't call it. We hang out until 10 p.m.

Let me just say this: an hour and a half is a looong time to spend in a store, even if it is Best Buy. We strolled through areas full of products we had no interest in just to kill time. I learned about products I never knew existed.

For example, have you ever heard of a portable washing machine? Well, for $129, it could be yours.

How about a gas stove that has five burners- four in the regular spots and one in the middle?

Did you know you can purchase the entire Beverly Hillbillies series for $16.99?

Or that Best Buy doesn't carry any CDs by The Art of Noise? More importantly, can you believe that Ginger was looking for a CD by The Art of Noise?

After learning all these interesting facts, we claimed our free mice and headed out. I was wondering what the heck I'm going to do with my mouse, but then an idea came to mind. Yesterday I bought a book on etiquette and in the section about parties, I learned it is good etiquette to bring a gift to the host of a party to which you have been invited.
So here's a word to the wise for all my friends: if you want this mouse, you better invite me over soon, because once the word gets out about what's in store, my party card is gonna be full.