Kirtland Air Force Base Exchange prepares for “Black Friday” madness

  • Published
  • By Christopher Bailey
  • Nucleus Staff Writer
Kirtland Air Force Base --  "Black Friday" shopping returns to the Kirtland Base Exchange this year.

The pre-holiday experience begins at 2 a.m., Nov. 25, when the doors open. The Exchange store officially opens 4 a.m.

"We wanted to open up the mall area so patrons don't have to stand outside in the cold," said Base Exchange Sales and Merchandise Manager Marie Vigil. "Cinnabon will be open so people can have hot chocolate and coffee and some rolls to stay warm."

Customers will have their option on several "Black Friday" discounted items, such as electronics, jewelry and clothing. The items will be announced this Saturday, through a promotional flyer customers can get in the mall's foyer area.

Those savings include the "Take-A-Ticket" program, where customers receive a ticket on a first-come-first-served basis, on items such as televisions and computers.

"We will have a limited quantity on those items," Vigil said. "I think we had around 32 televisions last year. They will end up going to the first several customers who want one. Some TVs will also have an additional gift card when purchased. Those who receive a ticket will have to show a military ID. This helps us keep the ticket distribution on an item to one per family."

Last year, the Base Exchange gave only one ticket per family, limiting their choice to one item. This year, early families can get up to two tickets on different items.

Vigil said there will be no rain checks on Black Friday items, and that for the best opportunity to receive a ticket, customers should get there early.

There will be a slew of holiday savings programs throughout the extended weekend. The store's extended hours of operations will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday; and stay the same 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday.

One such weekend program is the "Holiday Instant Rebate" tags. Selected items will be tagged with rebates of $5 to $50 that will be discounted at checkout.

There is also the" Holiday Extended Price Match Guarantee" program. If an Exchange customer finds a lower price on a purchased item in a competitor's advertisement within 14 days of purchase, the Exchange will refund the difference in the manner paid. If the ad is seen 15 to 30 days after purchase, the
Exchange will put the refund on a gift card.

While the 14-day program doesn't end, the 15- to 30-day program ends Dec. 25.

After each shopping experience, customers will receive more savings, with a "Scan Back" coupon. Upon leaving the store Friday, customers will receive a $20 coupon on purchases of $100 on Saturday, and a $25 coupon on purchases of at least $100 on Sunday. The last weekend promotion is a 20-cent per gallon discount on gasoline at the Express for Military Star Card users.

Vigil said there were about 300 customers waiting to enter the store at last year's Black Friday event. She expects to see just as many, if not more, this year.

"I do believe the customers will come check us out," said Vigil. "We have no taxes on our items. We don't have the mark-ups on prices that are seen at other stores. You have to look at the final price and we will have great prices and promotions on a lot of our items."