Other National Chain Store ~ Vent: BRUTAL! Price hikes at Big Lots too...

[gaijingirl]

I love to check out Big Lots for the Scrapbooking stuff every now and then. Sometimes there isn't as much, but other times there is a lot of good stuff. Most marked at a dollar...and expensive brand stuff, even like Basic Grey. I love those kind of finds. If you are a scrapbooker you will know how expensive some of those lines are and so if you see something for a buck that you know used to be at least 5 times that much, it's good.
There is a Hobby Lobby next door to the BL I go to and sometimes I will see the same stuff in both stores...one dollar at BL and still being sold at the astronomically high price at HL (if it's not on sale there that week.)

[ripit]

Originally Posted by gaijingirl I love to check out Big Lots for the Scrapbooking stuff every now and then. Sometimes there isn't as much, but other times there is a lot of good stuff. Most marked at a dollar...and expensive brand stuff, even like Basic Grey. I love those kind of finds. If you are a scrapbooker you will know how expensive some of those lines are and so if you see something for a buck that you know used to be at least 5 times that much, it's good. There is a Hobby Lobby next door to the BL I go to and sometimes I will see the same stuff in both stores...one dollar at BL and still being sold at the astronomically high price at HL (if it's not on sale there that week.)

That is one area that doesn't seem to have been hit by the huge price increases yet. If I had to guess why, its because there are not a lot of sales (at least from what I see going through the register). There are occational people that buy a lot of stuff but its not uncommon to go a few days without seeing a single piece of scrapbooking go through the front. I'm guessing that if sales are not good they are not going to increase prices, but thats just a guess. Sales report go by department so there is no real way at store level to know how much is being sold (I think scrapbooking is usally under stationary or home decor).

[cdarrow26]

Big Lots used to be one of my favorite stores to shop at. I always found some pretty good deals. But, between their prices going up, the fact that they don't take coupons (I can get most anything that is sold there for less at a retail store with a coupon), and their recent change in their return policy, I rarely, if ever go there. They really turned me off after Christmas when I wanted to exchange (NOT RETURN) a gift that I received that had Big Lots tag still on it. They will no longer allow ANY return or exchange without a receipt, not even a store credit. It's just not worth it to me to shop there any more...

[chicana]

I'm in Missouri and they closed down our big lots. I wonder how much will they last b4 the rest of then close down.

[ripit]

Originally Posted by chicana I'm in Missouri and they closed down our big lots. I wonder how much will they last b4 the rest of then close down.

I'm really amazed that they are doing as good as they are. Sales are up at my store as well as company wide. They are not getting the increases they would like but they are getting increases. They are closing underperforming stores but are also opening new stores.

[smiles]

There are some things at my local store that seem like they cost more, but I still can regularly find good deals. Especially when they have the 20% off coupon. There are some things that I can get cheaper elsewhere, but some things that I can't. Many of the food items are not that greatly priced, but things like seasonal, and some cleaning things are just as cheap if not cheaper.

[Texaspurplecouponlady]

I go to our Mrs. Bairds outlet store & stock up. Sometimes, they do take bread coupons.

[cjnelson]

Announced in Sunday paper...Big Lots in my town Racine, WI closing soon. Didn't say when clearance starts.

[Mominct]

I've noticed big lots is a rip off if you dont knwo prices. They MUST buy from the same wholesaler as dollar tree. It never fails, everytime I see something brand name at dollar tree - like the 100 calories nutty butter granolas.. big lots has them for $2.

Every item! I mean do they think people dont shop elsewhere?? Most people I know shop both dollar tree and big lots so you cant help but notice the double price!

[elainne921]

I went to Big Lots today for the first time in a long time. 4 pk cottonelle = $2.50. I walked away laughing... Its $.99 everyday at Dillons before coupons.