I have just committed myself to hell...

[BookstoreEscapee]

OK, as most of you probably are aware, the 7th and last installment of Harry Potter is coming out on July 21st. Therefore all the Barnes & Nobles are have a party on Friday the 20th with all kinds of activities and stuff, and the book goes on sale right at the stroke of midnight. So yesterday I had dinner with a friend, who I used to work with at Store1 (she no longer works for the company but is good friends with the store manager and community relations manager at Store2) and she informed me that she volunteered to help out (at Store2). I also have friends at that store who run a HP discussion group (for adults) and I figured they would likely be working that night (and indeed are doing much of the planning of activities). So I told my friend last night that I would volunteer since she would be there. And I called this morning to talk to the CRM (who I also worked with at Store1 and love); she wasn't there so I talked to the store manager who was more than happy to accept my volunteerance...I may live to regret it but it's a weekend and it's the last one, so what they hey? (Though I may take a personal day that Friday...or hey, maybe I'll take vacation that week...gotta use 'em by October! I am taking the first week of September but haven't figured out when else yet...)

I was working in the stores for the last 2 parties and managed not to be scheduled for either of the party nights. The first time I was head cashier so they decided I would better serve by being there for the mad rush the next morning (didn't see the end of the line for 4 hours). That party I worked until 8, changed into jeans and hung out for a while (my then-bf was playing photographer) and decided at 10 that I'd had enough and went home . Last time I played greeter the next morning and checked people's reservations off the list.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Sorry, I meant to put this in Off Topic.

Though I'm sure there will be plenty of SCs at the Harry Potter Party...

[BlaqueKatt]

Though I'm sure there will be plenty of SCs at the Harry Potter Party...

Which is exactly why mine is pre-ordered to come to me-yay

[BookstoreEscapee]

Yeah, I thought about just ordering it from the website, but now that I'm working that night I'll just buy it then. I reserved one today while I had them on the phone. I could order it directly through the warehouse and I wouldn't have to pay sales tax but if I did that I'd be the last to get it! They won't fill warehouse employee orders until all the "real" customers get theirs. But I do have a friend's phone number so I can use her member card, too

[katie kaboom]

I already reserved my copy of it. And i fully intend to go to the midnight madness party to get it. I've never been to one, so this is my last chance.

I even thought about scheduling my vacation so i'd be sure not to have to work the morning after the party (didn't actually do it though), but meh, a little sleep deprivation is worth it in this case.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Just watch out for little kids waving magic wands...and having wand fights...and flying golden snitches...

I'm surprised no one's lost an eye with all the wands I saw flailing about when I was hanging out at that first party.

[Lehk]

trust me on this, if you are a potter fan, DO NOT GO ONLINE between buying the book and finishing it, unless you don't mind spoilers.

[ArenaBoy]

Reserved my copy back in late April or May. I am thinking of dressing a little oddball like the guy in the first few seconds of the video. Pretend I'm a HP creature. Best one I've seen was a guy who dressed like Harry but wore a t-shirt that said "I made Myrtle moan" on the back

[Reyneth]

Oh, I can't wait for the party at the bookstore I take photos for! HBP was a BLAST and this one started to seem like major suckage (new marketing manager, nearly entirely new staff) it will be better than I was thinking a month ago. It will be different than B&N ones (I went to one for OotP) in that we have a whole shopping area that many stores are participating where the kids can go.

I'm doing Rita Skeeter (to go with the camera/reporter thing I already have going on) and while I won't look like the movies, I think it will be great.

I love seeing everyone dressed up, really getting into the activities and discussions, and it was so fun being able to hand out books at midnight. I'm going to take a few hours off on that Friday in order to get ready and be at the store early, work/photograph, probably get my book at 1:00 when all is said and done, go home and read straight through until I have to leave for work again Sat morning (supposed to be there at 9). I might take an hour or two off so I can be sure to finish it though!

[uknz76]

This is not going to be my best day working in a bookstore.

I am dreading HP day. At least release time here is 11:01am (00:01 UK time). I am not a big fan of kids, and my store is trying to have the largest number of kids dressed up as HP characters in the southern hemisphere. At the moment we are aiming for 500!

OMG just thinking about it scares the hell out of me.

[NightWolf]

well...seeing nobody else said it.

WELCOME TO HELL!!

I'm not a big Potter fan and am oh so glad I don't work in a book store. I don't think i could handle the large volume of SC's that will be coming in a drove.

[Jester]

Reformed Waitress has her copy ordered and is planning on picking it up at midnight and reading it straight through that night. I have no idea if she is planning on dressing up in costume for it. I am guessing not.

I am not sure what the local bookstore's plans are for that night, because frankly I don't care.

My plans for that night do not in any way involve Harry Potter, and while they may involve a goblet, it would be a goblet of beer. Make that several goblets of beer. It'll be a Friday night, after all.

[Imogene]

I don't think i could handle the large volume of SC's that will be coming in a drove.

Hey, just think about it, though. It should be the end of customers bitching booksellers out for selling Harry Potter...

On a slightly related note, the Borders I went into yesterday has a countdown calender of 23 days till the book, whereas the WalMart I went into later has a count-down of 20 days. Hmmm... something tells me WalMart is looking to get into a lawsuit.

[Banrion]

I pre-ordered through Amazon on the first day it was up. So far, I am only paying $18.00 for the book, and that includes free release day delivery to my home. I also happen to know that the UPS guy delivers to my area about 8:00 am, so no crazy crowds of cantankerous kids YAY!!

[Tria]

Best one I've seen was a guy who dressed like Harry but wore a t-shirt that said "I made Myrtle moan" on the back

Wow, nice....So glad my Pepsi was in my pocket.