If the early morning news reports are any indication, this is going to be a weird Black Friday.

Shoppers are waiting in long lines, picking up the popular deals and then moving on to the next store or going home.

Detroit News: Deal hunters are on the prowl:

Early risers hit Metro Detroit’s shopping malls Friday morning to kick off one of the season’s busiest shopping days, but few of them seemed to be buying anything other than bare essentials.

Many shoppers left with single bags or none at all, a sign that could spell trouble for retailers banking on steeply discounted big-ticket items, known as “loss leaders,” to lure consumers and spur impulse spending.

Detroit Free Press: Black Friday rush begins:

Vanessa Davis had hoped to get in line for something good at Best Buy in Madison Heights. But by the time she arrived, at about 2:45 a.m., the line was so long — it stretched from the store’s doors all the way around the parking lot and to John R — that she gave up and headed to J. C. Penney at Oakland Mall instead. There, she bought four winter jackets for her grandchildren, a luggage set and a couple outfits for nieces.

She spent about $160 and figured she’s saved about $200 — good news, considering she, like lots of shoppers, is watching her budget.

CNN: Bargain hunters hit stores early:

Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst with the NPD Group, cautioned that the early buying frenzy could soon peter out by 10 a.m., or once the doorbuster deals that are only offered for a few hours were over.

“Shoppers definitely have a mission this year,” Cohen said. “They are serious about finding the best deals. They are very budget conscious, they’ve done their research and then they’ll go home.”

Fox News: Black Friday deals try to beat recession fears:

Britt Beemer, chairman of America’s Research Group, expects to see the surge of shoppers dramatically taper off throughout the day and into the weekend.

“I think we are going to see the busiest Black Friday ever, but will it carry over past 10 a.m.?” he said. “The bottom line is a great Black Friday does not make a season.”