Borders Potter Party-Do It Again?

[sharon]

I pre-ordered my HBP back in January at the Borders store in 
Dearborn, Michigan.  I've never done the midnight release bit 
before, so I thought I'd try it this time.  OMG what an 
experience!!!!  I got there shortly before 11 pm with  hubby & son.  
The place was totally packed. There had to have been easily 600 
customers & 50 employees in this store, which is of just average 
size. You had to check in to get a ticket with a number on it.  The 
number on it designated your place in line to get the book at 
midnight.  My number was 403. At midnight, they started taking 
people in line in groups of 100. They would give you the book at the 
end of the line right in front of the cash registers. The line was 
wrapped all around the store just for the first 100. It took me 
waiting in line until about 1:30 am to get my book.

They had been making wizard themed crafts for the kids. Craft 
supplies were strewn all over the store.  People were taking books 
off shelves & reading them whereever they wanted.  They just left 
the on the floor when they were done.  In the kids section, about 
2/3 of the shelves had piles of books on the floor in front of 
them.  Garbage cans were overflowing.  This store was a complete 
mess. We've been having very warm & humid weather here.  With the 
body heat of all those people, the air conditioning made no 
difference. I felt sorry for the employees. I'm sure they had to 
clean up after getting the last customer out which was probably 
close to 3 am.  I just couldn't believe the chaos.  I don't think 
I'll do this bit next time.  Did anyone have the same experience or 
was yours' quicker &  smoother?
Sharon