Big Lots

I like Big Lots for odds and ends and random gift ideas or stocking my hygiene shelf in my classroom. Some of the same body sprays, tissues and lotions are cheaper here. Also, in the future I might try out their furniture because several pieces I drooled over while window shopping were name brand like Ashley or Sealy. I would do the 90-​day same as cash even if I had the money up front to see how it works.
One thing I have noticed though is that the food items are not always the cheapest. When I go to grocery stores I pick up Hawaiian Punch for about $ 1.99. At this particular Big Lots the price was $ 2.30. Another food item I did buy was a small bag of Lays Potato Chips. It was over a dollar, around $ 1.49. At the gas station the same bag is 99 cents. In any other situation I would have left it there but I was so hungry! Anyway, I didn’t have too much dialogue with the staff so I can’t comment on it but that might be a good thing because at least they weren’t rude or I would remember.

I agree with Nicole S. that this place is totally hit or miss. The stuff they have might be a good price, but sometimes its not. You need to know your prices or use coupons/​sales. I got a decent couch here for $ 300… but the trick is you have to figure out how to get it home yourself. They don’t do delivery!

I like Big Lots and I cannot lie! You other Unilocalers can’t deny. When a fellow walks in to a Big Lots, man, you see the prices and products… you buy some!
Okay (dust shoulders off), I am a big fan of Big Lots. Coming in here, I kind of get the feeling I had when I walked into my first country Wal-​Mart. All of these products for such low prices? What more can you ask for? You can find a lot of great quality products at competitive prices such as furniture, electronics, toaster ovens, blenders, towels, etc here. Of course, the store is not all that big, so this is not a place you would go to find everything you need. On the other hand, you will find a lot of what you need.
Their customer service representatives are rather helpful too, and I’ve met a few that are both outgoing and friendly. The parking lot is shared with other establishments, so you could park your car and check out some other businesses in the lot. Of course, I usually just come here. Every time I have come here, there is hardly a crowd at all… until it comes time to check out. Not a big problem, because most people don’t have huge baskets when they check out.
As someone else stated before, they can be hit or miss sometimes. On the other hand, that’s what I like about them. If I’m in the mood for something but not sure what, I drop by here. If I am in the mood for something but can’t find it anywhere else for a good price, I drop in here. You, my friend, need to drop by here. Good products for good prices.

Three Stars = Three words = Hit or Miss
Big Lots is one of those places that you may find some great bargain or unusual item that you wouldn’t find in your local or usual shopping experience
OR
you waste your time coming here because you could find what you needed at a fraction of the cost at your usual shopping places.
Bottom line – you must be a saavy consumer to shop at Big Lots and know that you have found a bargain. Example – I recently bought a two piece 5qt. GLAD tupperware set for $ 2.50. Given the brand and size of the containers, that’s a deal. Additionally, the Ocean Spray 100% Cranberry juice for $ 2 is a nice savings too. However, there were other items I was looking for that had inflated price tags. You may also have to wander around the store and look for certain items in several aisles because some disorganization does exist.
If you have a little time to burn, it’s worth the stop to comparison shop and make some interesting discoveries.
FYI: Frequent buyers should invest time to sign up for the Buzz Club.

I was looking for a black shelf for my granddaughter’s room. They didn’t have anything really black, but the guy who assisted us went out of his way to help us. I was surprised at the service he delivered. When it came time for us to make a decision, he went into the warehouse and found our product in a box that was not damaged. He could have given us the one of the floor, but did not. I was very pleased when I left this store.

Michal (store manager) says customers always lie!
I was at the store to purchase a bed and they had the display open-​box, plastic-​wrapped, model available at 10% discount. I opted to go for it. One of the employee got the 3 pieces of the bed outside on a flatbed with headboard and footboard upside down. We picked up the head board to load in the car we realized it wouldn’t fit and placed it down. When we flipped it to try the other way we found bunch of scratches on the middle of the headboard. I told the employee that I don’t need a scratched bed and I would rather pay the full price for a non-​scratched version. He went in the store to get the replacement and came out with the manager Michael. Here is when the interesting part happens.
Michael says «you scratched the bed and I wont take it back and I wont sell you any other bed» I am thinking WTF? I politely told him I didn’t scratch the bed and it was already scratched — we saw the scratches in the middle of the headboard when we flipped it. He says «I trust my employee and he doesn’t lie» to which I asked if he believes I am lying? and his response: «CUSTOMERS LIE ALL THE TIME» Really?
I then showed him that the bed (and all other open box beds) were kept upside down on flatbed and that is the only reason a scratch can appear on the middle. I even showed him the spot on flatbed where the bed was touching and rubbing on that flatbed. I think I proved him wrong so he says: «I will give refund for this bed and will sell you another for full price and no discount». yeah sure… as if I am going to buy again from your store. Where is the apology?
Worst customer service I have ever seen!

This store is a real hit or miss. Half the time there isn’t anything worth getting, and the other half you find a few good finds. The candy section and holiday sections are usually what I go here for. The store itself isn’t very well kept up, but you can usually find what you are searching for if they do indeed carry it. If you do shop here often, sign up for their frequent buyer program to earn points towards coupons.

You know, normally I really dig checking out the local Big Lots. This one, however, is messy, smells funky and the help is rude.
Sometimes I find good buys, but really, most of the stuff is cheaper at other places. Do I really need to even write anymore? I think my first couple of sentences says everything. Ugh.

So this is one of those bargain shopping places… Reminds me of a Dollar Tree, except things are not a dollar.
Found a couple of decent deals, but a lot of the stuff wasn’t that great of a bargain and maybe only a few cents cheaper of what you would usually pay… Found some good mascara for cheap. I usually caution getting make-​up at these places because it’s usually old make-​up, but it worked great.