Black Friday Shoppers And Employees Work Overtime

CABAZON -Retailers are banking on this Black Friday to help them through a difficult year. Shoppers were hoping to cash-in on the deals being offered. Some start planning weeks in advance, as they scout out the best strategies and deals. They camp out or get up very early, but shoppers aren’t the only ones working overtime.

It’s a day bargain hunters wait for all year. A day dedicated to shopping and saving.

“I prepare everyone and print out the coupons and the maps,” says Maria Loisides.

Maria Loisides rose before the sun and started her shopping at the Cabazon Outlets at midnight. For her, Black Friday is a detailed operation. Everything is mapped out – where to go, how much she’ll spend and even better how much she’ll save.

“I’ve saved about 100 dollars,” says Loisides. ” We target specific stores, we have to be organized.”

Loisides’ shopping is done in shifts. She shops, rests and shops again.

“We were here from midnight until 3 a.m.,” says Loisides. ” Then went home and slept a little bit and came back.”

The effects of Black Friday also hit Ruth Willis, about 8 hours into her spending frenzy.

“I’m resting,” says Ruth Willis. “I’m waiting on my daughter and her friend, I’m shopped out.”

However shoppers aren’t the only ones working hard, employees are also putting in extra hours. For them, it is non-stop work.

“The fitting rooms are a nightmare,” says LJ Corral, manager at William Rast.

“All day it’s recovery,” says Andre McKinney, assistant manager at Ugg. “We are picking up boxes and putting shoes together.”

At the Ugg store, staff is doubled. Thirty employees are on floor managing the crowds.

“We’ve been enormously busy,” says McKinney.

Employees got to work and began preparing the store before the early bird shoppers. They’ll stay well after the final bargain is in the bag.

“I got here at 7 am and I’m closing,” says Corral. “I will probably work 28 hours, it’s a long day.”