Picture this -- you walk into your favorite department or accessory store, and the prices are slashed. You think it is your lucky day. Well, it seems that the sales are here to stay at least until the infamous post-Thanksgiving sales, also known as Black Friday conclude.

Some stores are set to knock prices down nearly 70 percent come Friday. Electronics stores such as Circuit City, are said to be knocking marked DVDs and Blu-rays to prices as low as $9.99. Stores like Wal-mart are rumored to mark select systems as low as $149.99.

The number of people taking part in these mass, nationwide sales increase in numbers every year. With stores already crammed with eager shoppers, time can only tell what the numbers will amount to on Friday.

If you plan on running basic errands Friday, I wouldn't count on it. Traffic will be a disaster, and the streets and stores will be jam packed.

On the other hand, if you actually plan on taking part in Black Friday and going all out, it is recommended that you get one heck of an early start.

I have read about people who line up outside of stores, or even camp in front of the stores as early as 10 o'clock the night before. Most participating stores will be open by 5 a.m.

Although there are many benefits to this day, it can be a day of many disappointments as well. Although the prices are low, so are the quantities. Not everyone will get what they came for.

So if you go into a large store, know what you want ahead of time and sprint for it. Don't just look and ponder at all the things around you, because if you waste time and just meander, you will likely be trampled.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. Michael Majchrowicz is a sophomore at Lake Central High School.