They lined up for Black Friday — 9 days ahead of time

Knowing the outrageous deals that are offered on Black Friday, three Florida families decided to get a head start on the competition.

A nine-day head start.

With the year’s biggest shopping day looming nine days away on Nov. 25, three families pitched tents outside a Best Buy in the Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Wednesday.

“You can’t beat some of the deals they have on plasma flat screens and laptops, and you get to buy it in large quantities all at once,’’ Christine Orta, one of the shoppers, told NBC’s Tampa affiliate. “We’re all students, so (you) gotta pinch a penny. It’s affordable right now.’’

Orta and her fellow shoppers plan on passing the time by playing games or studying. The three groups also plan on sharing food and supplies to tide them over to the big day after Thanksgiving.

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This is not a new phenomenon in St. Petersburg, where local resident Lorie Davenport, 44, and her family and three friends camped out in front of Best Buy the last six years for at least six days before Black Friday, including nine last year. Some would stay on the line overnight while others went home to get a rest and then relieved their friends and family by taking the night shift the next day. Davenport’s family spent $3,000 last year but told The St. Petersburg Times that they saved nearly $4,000.

Last year, she and her husband made a hot Thanksgiving dinner at their home and delivered it to friends who were content to spend Turkey Day in front of Best Buy.

What are your Black Friday plans? Vote and discuss below.