Does anyone else think that Big Lots has become a bit of a rip off?

[Flaxbee]

They used to have some really good deals - but anymore, they don't seem to stock much beyond Chinese copies, and those at not very good prices....

:shrug: Or is it just me?

[blue neen]

1. I agree.

We used to like going and checking out the buyouts. Now it's just a bunch of Chinese plastic crap that you can find at any dollar store.

[Flaxbee]

4. yeah; my husband used to find really good tools there -- heavy,

well made; now it's just the same overpriced, flimsy stuff you find at Lowe's...

And as for the rest, if I want to go to a Dollar Store that smells like plastic, I'll go to Dollar Store, not Big Lots...

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. In college, Big Lots was perfect for me.

Just two blocks and walking distance from my dorm, which was perfect during the times I didn't have my car with me. I could usually get whatever I wanted from Big Lots.

Having graduated, I haven't been to one in years, so I can't say as to whether or not they've declined in quality. But I loved it in college.

[Schema Thing]

3. I like 'em.

I still find a lot (heh) of things that where obviously not made and packaged just to be sold at a discount retail outlet.



But for stores like that, success will always eventually ruin them.

[Flaxbee]

6. it seems they have become more aggressive about profit

and prices, while still low in some cases, have crept up by 50-100% on some items.

The bottom line ruins everything.

[Flaxbee]

5. Their food section would still be great for someone on a

limited budget (though they tend to stock oversalted, perservative-laden foods). But I could occasionally find good towels, linens, etc. -- not anymore.

[HopeHoops]

7. It used to have some unique stuff - now it is mostly WalMart cast-offs and "As Seen on TV" crap.

I haven't been in one for at least six months, mostly because I couldn't find anything useful in the last three years or so.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. Like many "buyout" places, they got too big to rely on just buyouts, but...

I pass one every so often and stop in. If lucky, I find something cheap and worthwhile.

Got some decent bird feeders and 6' hangers dirt cheap last month. And a package of USB 2.0 cables for about a buck a cable. Flashlights. A lounge chair...

Thing is, though, that it's all up to chance-- if a really good deal comes in it's gone in a day or two and you may never see it. So, I stop in when I'm in the neighborhood, but never go out of my way for one.

And, from looking at another one I stopped in last year-- the stores seem to vary a lot in what they have for sale.

[madmom]

9. Just a couple of months ago I bought a new vacuum there. It was a rebuilt one for only

$25, originally it cost $125. I read customer reviews about this particular vacuum, most were not to good, but I needed something cheap (no money) and fast (my old one broke and I have a cat, nuff said) I decided $25 what the heck. It works GREAT!!!!. Better than the $800 Kirby my SO bought years ago.

[tigereye]

10. yeah, there seems to be more cheap crap than usual...

but it's still fun to wander through there. One near here actually had roses a few months ago, some very nice ones.

[Z_I_Peevey]

11. I love the Big Lots, still...

It's a bit of a drive for me to get to the nearest store, so shopping there is a once- or twice-a-year treat for me. I stock up on movies (usually the oddball indie type), and imported foods I can't get anyplace else.