SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Black Friday is approaching, and once again retailers are pulling out all the stops to attract bargain hunting customers. For some stores, that means starting big sales earlier than ever before.
Thanksgiving is under attack. Stores that once closed on the holiday are now touting turkey day deals, beginning as early as 9 p.m., as in the case of Toys R Us.
"Even at midnight's pushing it. I think the people who line up, like at Best Buy and whatnot a week ahead of time, get a life," shopper Roy Wright said.
Other retailers getting a jump on Black Friday by going for a potentially "Terrific Thursday" include WalMart, which kicks off sales at 10 p.m., much to the dismay of one consumer.
"That's totally rude. What about the employees? They don't get to have a Thanksgiving. They have to sleep all day so they can work from 9 til the wee hours of the morning, so they don't get to have their Thanksgiving," one shopper said.
Some retailers have decided to resist the pack mentality associated with the so-called "Christmas Creep," and elected to start their bargains at midnight. They include Target, Best Buy, Kohl's, Macy's and Old Navy.
"Unless you have a major shopping list as far as Christmas, it's not worth getting trampled, that's for sure," shopper Kathleen Olivas said.
So what's the rush for retailers? They're vying for big bucks during the crucial holiday season, with more than 20 percent of sales coming in the last two months of the year. They say traffic tripled last year by those who shopped after gobbling down a holiday meal.
But while many simply don't mind the thrill of the chase to find the lowest price, others say it's not all it's cracked up to be, and spending time on Thanksgiving with loved ones is a better payoff.
"I've heard quite a few stores are opening the night of Thanksgiving, so after they eat they can shop," shopper Bhavi Kapadia said. "I guess it just depends on the people. I like to stay in and watch movies with my family, and some people like to get the deals earlier than before."