SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Black Friday deals can get shoppers worked into a frenzy. Sometimes that situation turns violent, as people stop at nothing to get deals. Now Walmart is working to make Black Friday safer.
As retailers prepare for the Black Friday frenzy, Walmart is wising up, hoping to make things more orderly, giving employees and bargain shoppers something to cheer about.
On Thanksgiving night, Walmart stores across the country are offering a promise that they will have certain items in stock during a specified time frame, items including a $1,000 60-inch Vizio TV for $688, an LG Blu-ray player for $38, a Graco car seat and stroller travel system for under $100 and a $60 Furby Boom for 50 percent off at $29.
"It helps our customers know that if they're in that line during that time, they get one, even if the store runs out," Walmart spokeswoman Rachel Wall said. "That's where these one-hour guarantee cards come in. It lets you take the card to the register, and have it shipped to your home before Christmas."
So here's what you have to do on Thanksgiving night. Either at 6 p.m. or at 8 p.m., depending on which item you wish to buy, look for the big balloons. This is where line starts, and this is where you'll be handed your wristband, securing your spot.
"We're guaranteeing customers who are in that line between 6 and 7 p.m. are guaranteed to get an iPad mini for $299 with a $100 Walmart gift card, taking it down to about $199 net," Wall said.
There's a limit of one item of its kind, per customer. But again, if Walmart runs out, no worries. You'll get one of these one-hour guarantee cards, almost like a raincheck.
On the Walmart app, you'll find a map of the store you're in, which shows the 21 eligible items.
As an added bonus and thanks to its employees, Walmart says it's offering those who work this Thanksgiving holiday an additional 25 percent off an entire purchase on top of their regular discount and holiday pay.