Big Lots--value or junk?

[gingajane]

I visit my Big Lots at least once a week. They have the most interesting stuff to peruse. I like the organic snacks and the cleaning products. I hardly ever go to Walmart anymore. I plan on purchasing my next sofa from Big Lots. I love saving money!

 

[Robinrs]

I love Big Lots, go there every week!

The buy overstock and discontinued items from online companies and b&m stores so it depends on their source.

I'm working on a laptop desk I bought from Big Lots right now!

 

[scrapquitler]

I saw a great sized entry rug (4x6) in the Big Lots ad in the Sunday paper for $19. It is a shag rug. So the debate--do I spend $20 on a "junk" rug that I will need to replace OR save that $20 and put it toward a "better" rug?
Does anyone have experience with Big Lots furniture/rugs/home goods? Does the furniture hold up? I saw a sofa for $299 in the ad--is it going to come apart in a year?
I love to budget and be wise, but not if it's going to end up costing me more later!

For the entryway, I'd either spend $19 at Big Lots and be prepared to replace it in 6 months or a year OR I'd buy a washable style rug instead. I wouldn't spend more money on a 'better' rug in an entryway, it's just going to get trashed from mud, slushy snow, etc (unless your family is WAY more civilized than mine).

 

[irishbosoxfan]

We went to Big Lots in Lawton, OK in early 2006 and bought a buttload of furniture.

We bought:

King sized mattress and boxspring set--American Pedic
King size headboard-footboard and frame--Not crawling under it to find out-lol
Bunk bed set--don't know
Couch and Loveseat--Ashley
Coffee table and endtables--Coaster

We spent under $2,500

We still have all except the bunk beds which I sold at a yard sale.
We're looking at getting a new living room set this year and I looked at Nebraska but I didn't see anything I liked so I told DH before we go anywhere else I want to find a Big Lots in the area since we've had such great luck with them.

 

[mrspaha]

Never been to a Big Lots, and there is one nearby. But I'm wondering, do they deliver? And if so, do they set it up for you too? And are the delivery charges expensive?

 

[Cindy B]

There are no Big Lots near me. In my previous location, there was a Big Lots and it was in a very sketchy town with very junky merchandise.

I thought they were all like that.

 

[jcemom]

I think some items are great, some are junk, and some are in between. I've also bought things from WalMart and KMart that turned out to be total junk. I think that can happen at any big chain, non-specialty store.

For $19 I'd probably be happy to throw the rug away and replace it when it became worn. It wouldn't have to last too long for me to feel I'd gotten my money's worth.

My sister had to furnish an entire home on a very tight budget. She found some great pieces at second hand stores, but she filled in the rest from Big Lots and I haven't heard her complain about any of it.

 

[cats mom]

I think some items are great, some are junk, and some are in between. I've also bought things from WalMart and KMart that turned out to be total junk. I think that can happen at any big chain, non-specialty store.
For $19 I'd probably be happy to throw the rug away and replace it when it became worn. It wouldn't have to last too long for me to feel I'd gotten my money's worth.

My sister had to furnish an entire home on a very tight budget. She found some great pieces at second hand stores, but she filled in the rest from Big Lots and I haven't heard her complain about any of it.

Re: the part I took the liberty of bolding above...
We bought a bedroom set from Thomasville that turned out to be junk. So it's not just the big chain, non specialty stores you have to be wary of.

I admit I don't have much Big Lots experience, but I would assume that like most discounters who carry closeout merchandise; there's probably plenty of junk to sift through, but I'm sure there are sometimes treasures to be found as well.

 

[CinRell]

We got a Serta memory foam mattress at Big Logs.. queen size for $400!!!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

They have good stuff on closeout. The only thing I won't buy there is food.

 

[Leeanne]

My fiancé works at Big Lots in the furniture dept. Basically, their furniture, housewares, everything is simply closeout or overstock. So basically you are going to have the same quality, just a cheaper price because of the closeout part! They have a grocery dept that I love because they have some items that I don't see normally (I got some phenomenal marinade there!) as well as more ethnic items (just check the dates). They have a living room set there that I adore. The way I figure, I bought a couch and love seat from Ashley that is currently falling apart, two years ago and I paid way too much for, why not pay less and still have the Ashley brand!

 

[daileyad]

We're looking to purchase a couch & loveseat but are not ready to buy for a month or two. I like the looks of one of the sets on their website. Will it still be around or does Big Lots change their stock quite often on the furniture?

 

[Robinrs]

There are no Big Lots near me. In my previous location, there was a Big Lots and it was in a very sketchy town with very junky merchandise.

I thought they were all like that.

There are good and bad ones, in fact there are MORE bad ones here in Atlanta than good ones! The one I go to is fairly new and they are very innovative. They keep the place updated and clean, it's a pleasure to shop there.

I've gone to others in other parts of town that were horrendous! I'm sure it depends on the management.

 

[Cjmuma]

I have one rule with bargain close out stores... that is look at what you are actually buying... If it looks quality, it usually is... if it looks like junk... it usually is... something to bear in mind!!!!!!!!

 

[Disneys#1fan]

FWIW... Big Lots is having Discount Days. Check your inbox if you are a Buzz Club member. I received a 20% off your entire purchase coupon good 1/22/11 - 1/29/11. Just in time for me to get the sectional I have been wanting

 

[marcemc]

I bought an air mattress, queen size, with pillow top for $40 last week. Best deal I found after doing some research in Target & Costco.

Not my kind of store though, it was very messy

 

[HelenePA]

They have good stuff on closeout. The only thing I won't buy there is food.

Why? I can tell you I've seen the distribution center (at least the one in PA) DH works there. Walmarts DC is right down the road and they are exactly the same thing. The way they ship/store/get they do nothing different than "big box" stores, Sara Lee is also down the road along with Jeld-Wen, Sears, another big food store but I can't remember the name right now, etc etc. Dh's DC doesn't ship furniture (yet) I think they are going to start in the summer though.

I also have a ton of stuff from biglots my kitchen table, sofas, beds, all has held up rather well. I need a new mattress and I will get it there.. dh's discount is just too good to pass up not to buy there.

 

[Jennia]

We've never purchased furniture there, but we have a small rug for dd's room that was $5 and has held up REALLY well! It's even been washed multiple times and it looks much better than rugs we paid more for. I also buy food there quite often (though I do check dates, but I do this everywhere, especially after we once got a can of pineapple from Safeway that was a YEAR past the expiration date, lol!).

 

[Leeanne]

We're looking to purchase a couch & loveseat but are not ready to buy for a month or two. I like the looks of one of the sets on their website. Will it still be around or does Big Lots change their stock quite often on the furniture?

It depends on the piece. Ours here gets stuff in weekly, however if its is labeled last one or majorly on sale, you may want to see if they are getting any more in. My FI says ask if its a closeout or core item. If its a closeout item, they aren't getting any more in. If its a core item, then they will be getting more in, it just may take some time. Also, because its on the website doesn't mean its in stock. I would call up your store(s) and ask about such-and-such piece (use name from website).
We just got a TV stand from there and I love it!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Big Lots gets their merchandise from other stores (all different) I have bought some Martha Stewart stuff there before and it held us perfectly. Just check out the tiem you are buying first.