I was one of the brave, or some might say, crazy, folks out shopping on Black Friday. I got a jump start on the game by going to the Midnight shopping extravaganza at the Tanger Outlets.

I shopped at dozens of stores at Tanger. The worst experience was at The Gap. There was a line just to get in the store. I stood there for about 10 minutes before running out of "patience" - the ever diminishing resource of all adults.

My shopping party happened upon a lineless J. Crew. I thought maybe they didn't get the memo about the midnight shopping but I peered in to find employees happily waiting for the rush of customers. My shopping party started a four person line, and within minutes the line at J. Crew began to grow, though not to the likes of the line at The Gap.

I found a few bargains there, and started the register line. With all the different specials, discounts, midnight extra specials, etc. it took forever to check out because of trying to figure out what was on sale, what was not, and so on. But I left with a bag full of great deals.

After wondering through a half dozen more stores I made my way around to Polo. I walked in and glanced through a few sale racks. I made it across the back of the store and was startled by what must have been a line more than 100 people long waiting to check out. What is going on? How could the line be soooo long? Didn't they have enough staff to handle the crowd? I left in a huff, expecting the same in every other store.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a Banana Republic with a line that was clear! Banana Republic knows how to do shopping right. Their sale was 40% off across the board - no exclusions. That is the primary reason they had no lines. There were no questions at the counter - the price was 40% off whatever was on the price tag. As a result I made three complete trips to Banana Republic. Had I been in Gap or Polo or any other store, I would have stood in line for an hour or more and left swearing never to return. I spent the majority of my money in Banana Republic as did anyone else who shopped there.

Bravo to the brilliant people behind that sales strategy!