Big Lots Review

Overall 3.55 of 5 view all 22 reviews

TunefulGal
Los Angeles, CA

In L.A.,Big Lots is about management, ethnic product preference.

a bargain hunter, fascinated by diversity, a convenience freak

Pros

each store has its own personality, good place for greeting cards, always something interesting, excellent prices on holiday items, staff can be terrific

Cons

Inconsistent management, can be really messy, staff can be rude and unhelpful

NOV

2008

Big Lots —

Los Angeles has its ethnic enclaves and that can make Big Lots an interesting shopping venue. When B.L. has trucked in chile beans and hot sauces, I'm likely to shop for them at the store near Glendale which is favored by Armenian-American clientele. If hummus, Greek olives or similar "Eastern" items are available, you can find me in the Highland Park store where Spanish is the language of choice and Greek olives stay on the shelves a fair length of time.
I also calculate my buying patterns by management alone. Suddenly one store gets messy and can't muster up enough checkers for lines of dozens of people. So... I try another B. L. where management is (for the moment, at least) on the ball. Fortunately there's always at least one store which has its act together.
Word travels fast around here about great deals and goofy changes. Suddenly one store is low on shopping carts. The mystery of getting in the automatic door of another B.L. is solved only when you learn that you have to press a gigantic button to activate the entry door. Word is out that another store has packed items so high that you might be a goner if there's an earthquake. Another store never seems to finish stocking items, so awkward detours are necessary if you want to get around all the ladders and boxes.
This quirky business can be a bit much during holiday season, but there's seldom a dull moment. And there are, obviously, enough bargains to keep this masochistic shopper intrigued.

Last edited on Mar 15, 2009