Big Lots

I’ve primarily stopped at Big Lots in search of weird party favors/​prizes. In the past I’ve had luck shopping their DVD selection to find gems such as The Faculty for $ 3. When you’re with the right people, that prize is a total hit. I’ve also scored headphones for $ 5 and cheap circus-​themed candy.
On my last visit I was really disappointed in the electronics/​media section — it’s been halved and the DVD selection is maybe a quarter of what it once was. The movies are newer, but also more terrible. Yes, more terrible than The Faculty. At least that’s fun to watch.
Some of the «great deals» they offer are also pretty terrible. I bought two sets of sheets from a brand that I’d never heard of because they were on sale for $ 10. One was a silkier (and assuredly synthetic) material that was literally see-​through when you held it up, and the other was a little sturdier but faded from vibrant to even paler than pastel in a few washes — it’s like the color/​pattern was printed on the top layer and not actually dyed into the thread. Yes, it’s at the very least half the price of any other sheet set, but the quality was so hysterically poor that it’s basically like throwing money down the drain.
This last trip was so underwhelming that I doubt I’ll be back.

It’s weird. It’s wacky. It’s random.
Big Lots’ business model is offering a combination of dollar store brands and goods purchased from overstocked stores or manufacturers that have discontinued items.
Double Stuf Oreos? No. Berry Blast Oreos? Yes. And Jones Strawberry Lime soda.
There are some random good deals in the skincare/​beauty/​personal hygiene department; basically scents and formulations that have been discontinued (example: Dove Winterskin Soap in September) and overall the experience is completely random. I did get cheap Halloween candy, hand wipes, gum, lip balm, at a much cheaper price. Had I wanted deodorant, toothpaste or floss at a way cheaper price, they had a ton of that for good prices.
You have to be in a flea market kind of mood to go here. There was previously a Big Lots on E Washington in Madison, but this location is considerably more clean and neat (also less weird)