‘If we get a deal, then it’s worth it:’ Dozens brave the cold for hot Boxing Day deals

As vehicles sat idling early Boxing Day morning at Preston Crossing, eager onlookers waited for someone to make the first move.

Around 10 minutes before the doors opened at Best Buy, the parking lot continued to fill up with shoppers looking for that hot deal. All it took was one brave consumer to get to the doors before a line quickly formed down the sidewalk of the store.

Then, dozens took a step outside into the frigid, – 27 C temperatures.

“I’m trying to get a PS5,” said Simon Trokhymchuk, who was the third person in the lineup Sunday morning. “But also, whatever’s on sale. (I’m here) so early because, well, I (assumed) there would be a lot of people here.”

Trokhymchuk said he doesn’t normally go out for the Boxing Day sales, but the demand on the PS5 got him going Sunday morning.

Thomas Sorstahl’s venture out to Best Buy was a little different. He said he “kind of” drew the short straw and was sent out by his parents.

“I’m ready to get my stuff and go home,” he said.

“My parents specifically requested a new TV for Christmas, so I’m here to pick that up this morning … it’s more in my wheelhouse than my parents.”

Sorstahl described the weather as bearable, as long as “it’s just for a few minutes.”

Further back in the Best Buy lineup, Karan Singh was an opportunistic shopper. He ventured over from the neighbouring Walmart after a less than stellar visit to the store.

“We thought there was going to be some good deals. We were at Walmart, there wasn’t good deals over there. We thought we should give it a try at the Best Buy — maybe we’ll get a good deal,” Singh explained.

It was Singh’s first Boxing Day shopping experience. He said he could stand the weather — on one condition.

“Well, (the weather) is not good. But if we get a deal, then it’s worth it,” he said.