Got to Best Buy at 6:30, by 7:15, I had a ticket. By 7:16, the MOD said that everyone in line HAD to stay in line for the next 3 hours until the store opened at 10, and if you left for any reason, even to go to your car to wait, you'd lose your ticket. I handed my ticket back, telling them it was bullshit, that BBY has never done that before, and that I'm an educator who has to get to work so children can learn. The guy claimed it was "corporate policy", which is total bullshit as well, as your story shows.
Had my wife check at Target at 8, and it was already sold out.