News 12 @ 11 o'clock -- October 26, 2008

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. --- At Saint Barts' pumpkin patch you can catch families looking for the perfect pumpkin. With a 'rotten' economy, you'd think more people wouldn't be picking. Pumpkin patch Chairman Bill Lesshafft says that's just not the case.

"Sales have been really good," said Bill Lesshafft.

With pumpkins priced between a dollar fifty to fourteen dollars, Lesshafft says the economy has been the least of their worries.

"The biggest problem we've had this year is the rain we didn't have last year. Last year we had one day of rain and we've had rain on several Fridays and that's hurt our sales but overall, we're at or above what last year's are," said Lesshafft.

And the pumpkin patch isn't the only place where shoppers can get a Halloween bargain.

Some shoppers crossed the Savannah to save on costumes here at the K-Mart in North Augusta. They say with big discounts like these just days before Halloween, it's worth the drive.

"I know they usually start discounting closer to the holiday so we actually came over here from Augusta to shop for their 50 percent off," said Michelle Nettles of Augusta.

Michelle Nettles isn't the only one doing what it takes to catch a deal; others are taking it a step further.

"Buying them on line, I think 50 percent off and then free shipping so it made a big difference. We didn't have to pay for gas to drive to the store and take the kids out and it was a lot easier," said Millie Robinson of North Augusta.

Taking the scare out of spending and putting it back where it belongs.

A cashier at the K-Mart says she's been checking out a lot more costumes every since they chopped the prices by half. The discounted costumes will be on sale right up until Halloween.