Boxing Day sales bag bargain shoppers in Vancouver

Boxing Day sales began bright and early across the Lower Mainland on Thursday, as eager shoppers lined up in the hopes of bagging a holiday bargain.

Futureshop opened at 6 a.m. PT, while most major malls were open at 8 a.m., including Pacific Centre in Vancouver,Richmond Centre and Metrotown in Burnaby.

Despite the same bargains online,shoppers still lined up for hours outside various stores this morning, hunting for the best deals, some arriving to line up as earlyas11:30 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Zufo Rauma and Angela Jungsaved a fewhundred dollars on a TVeven after paying somebody they met on Craigslist $75 to wait in line for them.

"We're not crazy shoppers," Rauma said. "We've just been surviving off a small TV for a long time, so we just thought we'd come treat ourselves."

Raumaand Jung said they saved some money, got some sleep then arrived at the store moments before the doors opened.

"I think it's great for us," added Jung, laughing. "But not so good for the people who have to wait for us in line."

Boxing Day smoke bomb

Later on Boxing Day, a smoke bomb appearedto go off at the Apple store in Coquitlam Centre shopping mall, forcing Boxing Day shoppers to evacuate.

No one was thought to have been injured. The Apple store was reportedly closed while the incidentis dealt with. No other stores appear to have been affected.