It’s like on a regular basis Black Friday.
Dozens of buyers shielded in opposition to 40-mph winds Friday morning as they lined up exterior Levittown’s Island Black Friday, understanding that when they bought inside the shop, they might discover brand-new laptops, vacuum cleaners, cellphones and different helpful merchandise for under $12 apiece — and be entered without spending a dime in raffles to win luxurious items.
A brand new 12,000-square-foot bin store on Hempstead Turnpike that sells returned and overstocked merchandise from retailers like Amazon, Goal, Residence Depot, Walmart and Costco has Lengthy Islanders scrambling for offers for a fraction of what they’d value new.
Gadgets — some in apparent producer containers and lots of of that are a thriller in nondescript brown packaging — start at $12 on Fridays and get marked down each day. Something not bought plus restocked merch drops all the way down to $10 on Saturdays, $8 on Sundays, $4 on Mondays, $2 on Tuesdays after which $1 on Wednesdays.
Friday’s $12 inventory included two $400 HP laptops, a $700 Apple iPhone, 10 $250 Samsung Galaxy Tablets and a $600 Dyson Airwrap.
Earlier than prospects enter, staff roll out the packaged items piled excessive atop long-wheeled tables lined in black tablecloths. The wares are shrouded to keep away from fights between buyers, who without delay may spot a coveted merchandise and all seize for it on the identical time, co-owner Ali Shuaib informed The Submit.
And, there are different guidelines to abide by. In case you’re new to the shop, Joseph Shuaib, who owns Island Black Friday along with his cousin, Ali, will remind you of the insurance policies and procedures by bullhorn.
“Please, don’t open containers,” Joseph informed the 75 individuals who entered shortly after the shop’s 9 a.m. opening Friday to hunt for treasures amongst 4 truckloads of inventory.
Most items are in cardboard containers that folk snatched not understanding what’s inside till an worker opens them for inspection and testing behind the counter. If somebody decides to not purchase it, the field is resealed and positioned again on the gross sales flooring.
“Arms up, everybody,” he introduced earlier than procuring started.
Patrons held their arms within the air to indicate that nobody might acquire a bonus by feeling what was beneath the napery.
“Are you guys prepared?” he requested.
“I don’t hear it — are you guys prepared?” he requested once more, this time to a extra enthusiastic response.
“Uno, dos,” and on what ought to have been a rely for 3, Shuaib sounded the alarm on his megaphone and stated, “Vamanos,” as store staff pulled away the swaths of material in unison.
Folks of all ages, together with youngsters tall sufficient to succeed in, swatted in regards to the containers searching for one thing worthwhile to purchase and throwing what they might of their trolleys. Earlier than lengthy, the tabletops began to skinny.
At 10 a.m., one other 10 tables have been introduced out and the second spherical of procuring and raffles started. This was adopted, as it’s each Friday, by repeats at 11 a.m., midday and 5 p.m.
The cut price searching could be as thrilling because the raffles, stated Maria Machado, 54, a Freeport homemaker.
Final Friday, the store gave away $1,500 to $2,000 price of prizes, together with a Galaxy pill, a Dyson hair straightener and a Stanley cup.
“Oh my God, it’s thrilling,” stated Machado, who received cookware price $200 the week earlier than. She reduce her procuring journey brief final Friday for an appointment however would return to do extra procuring that day and be there for the ultimate 5 p.m. raffle.
Giveaways are held each day. On Thursdays, the store donates surplus to church buildings and faculties and the workers focuses on promoting furnishings at a reduction and making ready new inventory for the Friday refresh, stated Ali Shuaib.
The Shuaibs stated they opened Island Black Friday six months in the past and Ali stated for 3 years prior, they owned one other retailer known as Loopy Sizzling Offers in close by Bethpage.
Wantagh retiree Jill Steiger, 72, found Loopy Sizzling Offers three years in the past and adopted the cousins to their new location. She goes each day, “except I’m sick or have a physician’s appointment.”
Though she has spent 1000’s of {dollars} over time, she stated she doesn’t want something, giving freely no matter her two youngsters or three grandchildren need and chucking the remaining in her basement.
Buying there has “change into a buddy factor,” stated Steiger, who is aware of lots of the different regulars by identify and typically goes out to eat with them.
For David Lopez, 35, outings to the shop from his house in Selden have change into a household factor. Final Friday, he arrived with 10 members of the family, finally loading up six procuring carts. “You’re saving quite a bit,” he stated, including, “It’s enjoyable for all of us.”
Rachell Rosales Cardena, 32, an East Northport nurse, confirmed up early final Friday, as she does each Friday, after working a 12-hour in a single day shift at a close-by hospital. “I like getting the very best offers I can get,” she stated.
“We wish to preserve it a secret,” she stated. “I don’t need it to get out. However they’re doing nice issues right here.”
Island Black Friday, 3131 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown, NY 11756; open each day 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to six p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. to three p.m.
