Big Lots

I’m a huge fan of Big Lots in general, and I wanted to stop in here when my husband and I made a trip to the Waterfront the other day.
Pros: Store is clean and we were able to find things easily. Also, the cashier was super friendly and helpful… even when I didn’t have my buzz card with me (okay, it fell of my key ring and I lost it) and she had some difficulty looking me up in the system.
I bought some much needed household items (paper towels, etc.) and some new pillows to go along with our new sheets we got for Christmas. I was debating about some new throw pillows for the living room, but you know some times you just don’t want to spend money unnecessarily. Anyways, they had some decent ones: 2 for $ 12 (packaged together) which would go with my living room furniture nicely. I was about to put them back when I saw a sign that said «spend $ 50 and get $ 10 off instantly». I quickly added up my items, which came to just over $ 40. Yeah! So, with the pillows, I’d be at $ 52…making them just $ 2 plus tax! It was like Christmas all over again!
Cons: After going down the wrong road twice we eventually realized that, although looks are deceiving, the entrance to Big Lots is not in the Waterfront. You have to leave the Waterfront, turn right, go down the road a bit, then turn right into their parking lot… just a tad confusing, since the building faces you when you are driving down into the Waterfront. Also, the store was clean and organized, as I previously mentioned. However, the furniture was smack dab in the middle of the store, so it was a little awkward to maneuver around.

OMG the place was bare!!! Shelves were empty!!! There was nothing there. I’ve see better selections at Family Dollar
Actually that’s where I’m going!!!
Not recommended.

Need some John Wayne DVD’s? How about some random electronics or maybe some AS SEEN ON TV merchandise? This is where your grandma goes every year to get Christmas gifts but sometimes that’s not a bad thing.
All jokes aside this place has awesome deals on things you need for your house like furniture and stuff for your yard. I actually think Big Lots is a low key excellent spot to find deals, especially this one. It’s never busy here but be warned, if it is busy don’t buy anything that you might need from the back. They usually have one guy working and your talking a hour just to get a chair or a mattress.
So go ahead and grab that Forman Grill and Rechargeable batteries, you might even get them on sale. While you’re at it, get Grandmas Christmas gifts too.

I’ve reviewed other Big Lot’s but this is my favorite. It’s close and it has all the staples I need like TP (12 rolls for $ 5) and bold EVOO ($ 5). BL is also a great place to shop for holiday and seasonal decorations especially AFTER the holiday, when items go half off then eventually 75−90% off. I made sure to stock up for this years Halloween and Christmas.
When I stop in it’s usually for a couple items, but I always end up with a buggy full of this and that. The cashiers are absolutely delightful, they all know me by name and are so polite and helpful which is becoming harder and harder to come by these days.

I’m thinking my joy for Big Lots is starting to fade.
What was once a happy trip to pick up some unwanted items is now more of chore. I feel like you need to put on some gear to go into the wild to find items that you may want or need. Can definitely tell it is a buyout store, but not as bad as Ollie’s. The aisles are more organized even though the store is set up weirdly.
I always find myself going into to the store to search for an item and only realize I have forgotten to pick it up when I’m on my way back home.

As I turn that curve and see the hideous orange «Big!Lots» sign come into view, my dopamine neurons start a’firing.
Oh how I love you, Big Lots!
I’m a girl who loves a deal, but who also likes to have nice things, and Big Lots frequently satisfies that need. My 2 favorite sections are the housewares and dry foods, though they also have automotive, furniture, personal care and kids toys.
Crockpots, Cuisinart programmable coffee makers, and Paula Deen cast iron skillets and roasters for $ 20 and less. Blenders, dishes, glasses, utensils, not to mention the inexpensive throw pillows, curtains and seasonal decorations (I mean, who really wants to pay $ 6 for a Christmas cookie tin at Target when you can get the same thing here for $ 2) are bountiful. Then I love going to the dry food section and stocking up on Kashi & Pepridge Farms products, fancy European jams, & dry spices, then finishing my shopping at Giant Eagle and noting the price difference. Then, the best part, *the best part* is their Rewards Club. Every so often, you’ll get e-​mailed a 20% off coupon that applies to everything in store, so that $ 20 Cuisinart blender is now only $ 16!