We've been hunting down Black Friday sales since midnight and so far some of the crowds seem their heaviest in the last couple of years.

Thinking of heading out? Here are some observations from this morning so far:

• Best Buy: The first people in line had a tent - a good thing since snow started flying by about 4 a.m. The line snaked around the building before the 5 a.m. opening - but despite the crowds, some of the advertised specials could be found stacked in the back of the store. One example: A Blu-Ray player for $99.

• Walmart: Customers were flowing in just before 5 a.m. as the cash registers starting ringing up people waiting in line with doorbuster deals. Those deals went fast - one example is the $2 bath towels, $3 kids pajamas, which were down to a handful of small sizes within a few minutes.

• Kohl's: The checkout line went through the whole store, just about every department, promising at least a 30-minute (if fast-moving) wait in line. Many shoppers had loads of items that they had to nudge with their feet. And there were a lot of "throwbacks" of random items that had been discarded on the way to the cashier. The big deal there seemed to be down-alternative comforters and appliances. The jewelry counter looked busy, too.

• Staffing: Stores seem well-staffed and employees are ready to help customers - even as the ultra-long lines have to be controlled and shoppers need direction. But people who have questions, or who need help with large loads, are finding that many stores are able to help them.

• Clothing: Clothes shopping seems is going strong - Macy's had a number of browsers, Old Navy got a good early crowd at its 3 a.m. opening and Kohl's featured shoppers with armloads of clothing.

• Price-matching: Many stores will match advertised specials (though some shoppers say Meijer is no longer among them). Just be sure to have a paper copy of the ad, because at least one store wouldn't discount based on an iPhone image. One shopper got Kohl's to sell her an unadvertised special in that store - a 7-foot, prelit Christmas tree - that was on sale at Walmart.

• Courtesy: The attitude out there - at least from what we could see - is full of holiday cheer. We've seen a lot of happy (if tired) faces, a lot of door-holding for people with lots of packages and plenty of camaraderie building in lines - in addition to the helpful store staffs.

• Traffic: Not terrible yet, but definitely getting congested. Plenty of parking is still left at Briarwood, especially around Von Maur - which opens at 9. Just don't count on getting close to the door of any store.