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TOLEDO -- Thousands hit the stores before the sun came up Friday morning... banking on bargains.

NBC24 spoke to Black Friday veterans and newbies about this year's experience and if their shopping habits have changed in this economy.

The holiday shopping season is officially underway and crazier than ever.

"We got here about 10:30, got to go in exactly at midnight and then it was just very chaotic. I have never experienced it like that before," said Billie Smith, veteran Black Friday shopper.

Shoppers and carts flooded the aisles sometimes making it impossible to move or figure out which line is the one you should be in.

"Oh, is this the checkout line?" said one shopper.

So why would anyone sign up for this?

"A lot of good deals like buy one get two free, things like that," said Smith.

"I mean it's a lot of fun though. You know, you kind of sit in line and talk to people that you kind of don't know," said Jeff Lewis, first-time Black Friday shopper.

"I have two little kids, so they're sleeping right now and my husband can be home with them and then I don't have to drag them out with me. And there's good deals!" said one veteran shopper.

"Just... for the heck of it," said Quentin Nofziger, came from Archbold to shop.

And though they are filling up their carts like maniacs, they say they're being more conscious than in years past of tightening budgets and rising debt.

"We're definitely spending less this year," said Lee Connolly, first-time Black Friday shopper.

"We're spending a lot less this year and no credit cards at all," said another shopper.

"I will try at the last resort not to use a credit card," said Smith.

And at the end of the day, as the carts are put away and the shelves re-stocked... was it all worth it?

Depends on who you ask.

"It's crazy. I probably won't do it again," said Connolly.

"I'll probably be back at 5 a.m!" said Smith.

It's too early to tell if it will indeed be a Black Friday for retailers. Some experts predict sales could be down this year.