AUBURN – Despite a gloomy economy, or maybe because of it, people were out in force before the sun rose Friday, gobbling up bargains.

At 4:30 a.m. the Kohl’s parking was nearly full. A line outside Best Buy snaked past where the building ended. As Kmart was about to open at 6 a.m., parking spots were hard to come by. The Auburn Mall was bustling. Some JCPenney’s lines were long. Cash registers were humming.

Customer ‘surges’

When the mall’s KB Toys opened at midnight, customers were waiting. “I let them in so many at a time,” said store manager Bud Santos. His store had had a number of customer “surges” by 8 a.m. Friday, from midnight to 1 a.m., at 3 a.m., at 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. “We’re going to have a good Black Friday,” Santos said.

Wal-Mart was nuts. Store workers estimated a crowd of 1,500 stood outside waiting for the 5 a.m. opening. It took nearly four minutes for everyone to walk in when the doors opened.

No shopping carts in line

Auburn Police Officer Michael Chanie watched, making sure no one in line had a cart. “If they have a shopping cart, someone will get hurt,” he said.

Despite the crowds and the hour, most people seemed to be in a good mood, laughing at themselves for shopping when they normally would be fast asleep.

“I got here at 3 a.m.,” said Maria Vaillancourt of Lewiston. Like others, she didn’t go to bed Thursday night. Waiting outside wasn’t as bad as last year. “My fingers are the worst. Every time they open the door we get that warmth of air.”

Double team

Vaillancourt said she and her husband double team. “I went to Kmart; he went to Wal-Mart.” Shopping during the sales “saves us a lot of money,” she said. They planned to also hit Big Lots, JCPenney, KB Toys and others. “The bargains are so worth it.” This Christmas she said she’ll probably spend more.

Standing nearby was Amber Strout of Lewiston, who said she’ll spend the same if not more than last year. “This is Christmas, time to show your loved ones how much they mean to you. You just budget through the year.”

At Wal-Mart, Dennis and Anne Thibault of Mechanic Falls and Julie White of Auburn were at the front of one line. They got in line at 2 a.m. “We sat here for the first hour, drank coffee and shot the breeze,” he said.

It’s fun, they insisted, and said they save a lot of money.

Kristy Morin of Lewiston and David Faller of Lewiston were first at the other Walmart line. Each said they arrived independently at 10 p.m. the night before. “It’s a little chilly,” he said. She was there for electronics. He was there to buy gifts his friends were looking for.

In almost military style, most shoppers came prepared, armed with lists and fliers, coordinating their whereabouts and progress with team members on cell phones.

“You’ve got to have a plan,” said Jason Thompson of Greenwood, who came with his wife, Stephanie. “If you don’t have a plan, you’ll be in there running around chasing your tail.”

Inside stores the most crowded spot was electronics, followed by toys.

Jenn Kyllonen of Mechanic Falls dressed as a Christmas tree for the shopping excursion. Her green costume was decorated with garland, ornaments and bells. She jingled when she moved.

She donned the costume to spread cheer. “People are having a hard time these days,” she said. “If you can make somebody smile, it’s worth a million bucks.”

Kyllonen said she’s spending less this year. “Christmas needs to be back to spending time with one another, not so much on the gifts.”

With a shopping cart of toys, Eric Aube and Tracy Barnaby of Lewiston waited in a layaway line at Kmart. Laying away helps with storage, “so the kids don’t find them” Aube said. “And you can pay a little at a time.”

Around 7 a.m., as one woman pushed her cart into a parking lot, she seemed surprised the darkness had lifted. “It’s light,” she said.

Seasoned early-bird shoppers offered advice to those thinking about trying it next year: Dress warm. Don’t have your heart set on any one item; there’s a 50/50 chance you’ll get it. Be courteous; it’s all about Christmas.