Local shoppers run into trouble buying gift cards

  Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- "Super Saturday" is what retailers have dubbed the Saturday before Christmas, but local shoppers making a last-minute dash to the stores ran into some trouble.

With just three days until Christmas, shoppers are packing into stores.

"It's just so many people everywhere all the time," shopper Emily Austin said.

It was so many people that some local retailers' credit card systems have been crashing.

We spoke with several managers who say they were unable to issue gift cards for much of the day because of unprecedented demand.

"I think it is crazier this year than last," shopper Katia Mazzone said. "I've noticed a difference."

Retailers we spoke to said the gift card problems had cleared up by Saturday night, but it's hard to tell what will happen as people continue their last-minute shopping.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local

View the original article here

Last-second shoppers brave cold, wet weather

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The weather on Saturday did not keep people from doing their last-minute shopping.

Local grocery stores and shopping malls saw an influx of shoppers looking to get that final item crossed off their lists.

They were using umbrellas, ponchos and even bags to try and stay dry as the final shopping hours ticked away.

Good parking spots are always hard to come by on Christmas Eve, but it seemed worse this year as shoppers were trying to stay as dry as they could.

"One thing you can depend upon in Houston is rain during Christmas," shopper Aaron Burros said. "I was hoping for snow this year. I'm from up north myself. The rain is good."

"I wish it wasn't raining. I would have probably worn something a little nicer," Tonye Carlton said. "I'm in the Christmas spirit and I'm just happy to be out with my family."

As last minute buyers dodged raindrops outside some stores, others went from shop to shop inside the comfort of the mall.

"I always do last minute. It's a tradition I have," shopper Jerry Smith said. "I'm always out here the last day of the shopping season. Always save one thing for last."

"Last minute thing is not always good because it's hard to make those decisions," Daniel Quijano said. "But what can you do, you know? It's the thought that counts so let's be jolly about it."

"This is my first year to ever shop on Christmas Eve and I was lucky because I drove in and got a great parking spot," Ellan Adams said.

Whether it was the first time or an annual tradition, most of the last-second shoppers seemed to dodge parking lot puddles with a smile.

"It's a beautiful day to be out," Bill Donelson said. "Sort of 'Christmas-y,' you know? Festive."

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Get more Local »

local, christine dobbyn
// perform JavaScript after the document is scriptable.OTV.common.modules.promoCarousel.promoCarouselInit("/ktrk/xml?id=5758258&ptnr=promoCarousel");

View the original article here

Shoppers flood malls for last-minute gifts

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If you were among the thousands last-minute shoppers, any store or mall you went to on Friday probably felt like a battlefield.

The crowds were unbelievable and it was difficult to maneuver even down the isles of some stores. At 10pm -- an hour before Memorial City Mall was set to close -- cars were still packed the parking lot. But even at other malls and stores across the Houston area, things were no different.

From inside the malls to their parking lots, the mad dash was on.

"It's awful. Getting a parking spot is probably the worst," shopper Natalie Radke said.

"People are just bumping into you left and right, tripping over you," another said.

With less than two days till Christmas, last-minute shoppers packed the malls shoulder to shoulder, shopping until they drop.

Some had good lucky, others not so much.

"So we're looking for iPads and they are out everywhere pretty much," Radke said.

But the now skimpy shelves are no sweat for the McNicoll family, as last-minute shopping is somewhat of a tradition.

"We wait until December and then there is a "2" in the date -- 20, 21 and that's when we start," Brian McNicoll said.

For others, the holiday shopping procrastination goes a little deeper than that.

"It's payday also, that's the big deal," another shopper said.

But whatever the excuse, the frantic search for presents continues as the clock ticks down to get those gifts under the tree before it's too late.

On Christmas Eve, stores across the Houston area likely will close earlier, so if you still haven't finished your shopping, you should get an early start.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, samica knight

View the original article here

Holiday shoppers beware: Thieves on the prowl

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's just about a week left to do your last minute Christmas shopping and while you're looking for a good deal, thieves may be looking to make you their next target.

Today is Super Saturday. It comes with huge savings and deep discounts.

By some estimates, is the busiest shopping day of the year -- even exceeding Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

But while you're looking for a steal, there are some people looking to steal from you.

Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constables will be out in full force at residential and business areas throughout north Harris County. The holiday initiative will be in place over the next couple of weeks.

Shoppers are warned to not leave purses or other valuables visible in their vehicles and to take someone with them when they shop.

"Certainly as crime attracts itself to the holiday season, people are looking for opportunities for attacking our homes and shopping areas," Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hickman said. "We want to make sure we put as much available visibility and manpower out there to meet the need and to make sure we add to the comfort of our community at this time."

Officials offered tips for shoppers, including have your keys in your hand, don't leave packages visible in your car, don't leave your purse in your seat and do things to minimize yourself, your car or your home as a target.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local

View the original article here