Big Lots?

[Kate and Pete]

We're getting one near us - I checked out their website - not much on it. Am I going to find good deals on "stuff," or is this a place I can skip??

 

[sherry7]

I like Big Lots, but it's the kind of place that you have to go look around in. If you're looking for something specific, you probably won't find it, but you'll find lots of other things in the process.

They tend to get closeout items from other stores. I also find some good deals on food there as well, such as boxed stuff, cereal, gourmet items, etc.

 

[DLW8]

It's a hit or miss store. And know your prices...some things are a good deal, some are not.

I typically find SOMETHING to buy when I go....usually before the holidays I stock up on paper goods and contaienrs for cookies or gift boxes/bags.

I don't go there very often as the one near me is out of the way, but if it's close by, it's a good stop for browsing and finding some kind of bargain...

 

[Minniemama350]

Like was said above, hit or miss. Just like anywhere, you need to be aneducated consumer. Never assume it is the best price because it is there. Some things are a good deal though. Ours near us is very unpleasantly dirty. Don't know that they are all this way.

 

[cglaura]

I find my best savings there are for every day things.

For example, Cheerios are $4.29 at my grocery store, $2.05 every day at Big Lots...same size package. And they are the real General Mills Cheerios..not like a Cheerri oooos .

Pantene shampoos and conditioners, $2.89

Quaker Oats granola bars, $0.89 for an 8 count box.

Then, sometimes you can find deals on big stuff. I bought a Bissel Steam Cleaner there for $89 that was I think around $129 at WalMart.

I've had it 2 years now, no problems, works great.

But I agree with pp, it is very easy to go in there for cereal and come out with a cart full of good deals. So make sure you have your stick-to-my-budget-cap on if need be. I usually pay cash here, that helps any splurge not on the list shopping for me.

 

[Duckyiam71]

Big Lots, like others have said, gets closeouts. So you can one day and see something and the next day they are gone. I go there for cheap school supplies, frames and just the other day bought $1 photo albums for the kids. They have their own line of home furnishings too but they are not closeout prices. I am leary of buying food items there after the health department shut down one here in town.

 

[disneynan]

I agree with the above posts regarding hit or miss deals. But there are deals to be found. I once got my Clairol Natural Instincts hair color for $2/box! Haven't seen anymore since though.
Our local store is clean with helpful, friendly employees. But, be careful....some of the clothing items are seconds.
They have great discounted prices on seasonal items after the season, up to 90% off their already low prices.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Yes, hit or miss. Don't be afraid of the foods, I have never gotten anything old from them. They guarantee freshness. It's fun to see some of the strange things that end up at Big Lots, some stuff you can see why it never was a big seller in stores, and other stuff you may say, "Wow, I remember this great thing, but they stopped selling it!"

I have found some interesting things at Big Lots, I think I'll start a thread for that stuff!

 

[Kate and Pete]

Thanks for the feedback! This sounds like a budget buster place for me - just wandering around finding neat stuff! Kinda like The Christmas Tree Shop (for those who know what that is!!!) - I can walk in there needing NOTHING and spending $100 by the time I leave!!!!!

 

[AKL_Megs]

They have their fair share of junk. I am not going to lie.

If you want cheap $0.35 "Grannie Panties" on a flimsy plastic hanger that you really have to wonder if someone already wore them... you can find that at Big Lots.

If you want 1980's bubble bath... Big Lots has it!

BUT... they have some good deals, too!!!

Food, food, food! You can get some GREAT deals on food!

Sometimes you can find cheap namebrand stuff... Ziploc bags, Gladware, Rubbermaid bins, etc..

 

[fofinia]

I went to a Big Lots about 45 mins away from me because they had an advertised deal on twin mattresses. They are Serta mattresses for $94. I couldn't find any better prices anywhere else. When I got there the store was brand new and very clean. I checked prices and didn't see anything that made me want to buy. Very much like Xmas Tree Shops, you're right. But I saw less knick knacky type stuff and more food items and bedding.

 

[sylvenmaid]

I love ours. I have gotten some really great deals there esp on toys. I have found older toys that were discontinued in the other stores there and much cheaper. Lego sets are the best.

I have bought some furniture there that is still going strong. I guess it just depends on your store.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I love or Big Lots. I always find something and find a lot of fun gifts there as well. Their giftwrap section is really fun and their frames are inexpensive too. They have nice matted 8X10 and 11X14 that are only $4.

I was surprised to see Hallmark, Martha Stewart, Crayola, Huggies, Pampers, and tons of other name brand products for less. Some of it is junk, like a PP said, so be warned.

Ours has Martha Stewart papercraft right now. They have tissue paper flowers for $2 that I bought for adding to the top of gifts instead of ribbons or bows. And they have paperbag puppets (5 you build yourself, self-adhesive) that my son LOVES! I even bought a few extra to have around once those wear out.

Their food buyout is really interesting. You can find things you've probably never heard of right along side your favorite soup or cereal. They carry Campbells cream of mushroom soup in a bigger sized can for $1.25. It's like a can and a half but not as much as a family size. It's perfect for casseroles. Their canned goods are usually fine, but check the dates just like you would anywhere else. I got a huge can of Green Giant greenbeans (it's 12 cups) for the holidays. I make 2 GBCs for Christmas so it was a deal for $2.00! EXP: 2011.

But trust me, stay away from the "less than perfect" Kraft macaroni and cheese. I thought how imperfect can a noodle be? But they were cracked, so once cooked they broke out into a million pieces. It just didn't taste right.

They just started a frequent buyers program called Buzzclub you can join for free. Once you make 10 purchases of $20 or more (not hard to do!) you get 20% off your next purchase. You can also sign up for email flyers that let you know the sales before they are released.

 

[dreamin_disney]

sometimes you can find really good deals. A few times i wasnt to impressed especially when they had some jennifer something brand, the prices were pricey for a store like biglots. I even asked the cashier if the tag was right and she said yup. I guess it depends on the brand but the name brand furniture $199 for one stool insane!!!It took them forever to get rid of that brand.

other times i have found craft stuff at good prices and etc.

 

[torinsmom]

I always go there for my son's headphones. They have the JVC and other name brand ear buds for $5, instead of the $8-$10 Walmart wants. The furniture is also a good deal. I got my sleigh bed there; it was $499 at Rooms to Go and $299 at Big Lots. Yes, same exact bed in REAL wood. They also have Serta mattresses at a good price, I noticed. My couch was $299 there and is super comfortable.

I have bought all kinds of stuff there. THey even had real Crocs for $12 a few months back!

Marsha

 

[rie'smom]

The food dept. has a foreign foods section that's great. I can also find things to decorate my house for great prices. As others have posted, you have to go often and you have to weed through junk. Their furniture used to have a lifetime warranty but I'm not sure if they still do. My housekeeper bought a sofa set. The fabric stretched and they replaced it no charge.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I made out great getting clear stacking Sterilite plastic bins there in different sizes, probably just last year's lid color. Perfect for play-doh, barbie dolls, etc...

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Watch out for expired foods. Several times I have looked at a food item and it was very out dated.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Ours is cluttered and even a little dirty but I still do pretty good there. I have never found any foods there that were not just fine. I do always check dates however. We get a lot of snacks there that i will not pay extra for at the regular grocery store. Found 100 calorie packs for 1.00 and 1.25 this week. Name band juices are a big hit for us as well. I sometimes do well with shampoos and the like too. Toys are a fun change from wal-mart and paper products for hollidays are great. I bought all the thanksgiving paper products this week and they are really nice and I spend less than 15.00!!! Clearance items are a extra treat!!!!

 

[si-am]

The Big Lots around here are kind of dumpy, but I go there about once a month, anyway, just to see what's new.

They often have good shampoos (Aussie, L'Oreal, Herbal Instincts) for really cheap, and sometimes a good highlighting kit that I use, too!

Their prices on hair rubber bands (Goody, Scunci) can't be beat at 99 cents, and I sometimes find good makeup there too (like Revlon blush for 2 bucks!)

Occasionally you can find good dvds but they sell out quickly!