Are "Lot" stores cheaper or not?

 Some time back I saw a usenet posting where someone checked the
prices of extra-large containers of laundry soap, etc. and determined
that frequently they were no bargin over the "normal" sizes.  People
just *assumed* they were getting a better deal by buying the larger
quantities, and the manufactureres and discount stores were happy
to oblige them.

Now I have a similar question about job lot stores.  Here in Colorado
the main chain is "Big Lots".  "Save a Lot" is similar, with an
emphasis on groceries.  Back east there is "Ocean State Job Lot".
You never know what these stores will have from one week to the
next; they have no commitment to stocking any particular good.
The products are usually brand names I have never heard of,
and some of them are just plain wrong--like oddly cut clothing
with pockets in inconvenient places.

Ostensibly these stores are offering a good price on stuff that
other stores are trying to get rid of.  They certainly aren't
offering convenience or quality, so I tend to assume they are
offering a bargin.  Making a systematic comparison is difficult,
since all of the stuff is obscure brands and, as I said, the
quality is variable.  Do these stores offer savings, or
are they just counting on people *thinking* that they do?

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Paul Ciszek wrote:

I can only answer for Big Lots!  Having started with the ones out here
on the west coast when they were called Pic N Save...yes, you can
definitely save over regular retail prices on almost all the items.
But you need to have some idea of what the regular prices are to begin
with.  Additionally with some of these items you'd want to make sure
supplies they'll need will be available later (I ran into an issue with
a air cleaner a while back...but eventually found the filters).  In the
last month or so Big Lots! has been running this ridiculous promotion
about a drugstore liquidation which started at 30% off retail...however
this "retail" was MSRP...about 2 or 3 times higher than anything you'd
normally find at Big Lots! and even with the discount was no bargain.
To top it off on one shelf reserved for these drugstore liquidation
items you might find Pantene shampoo for $5.98 (and take 30% off that)
yet in another part of the store for regular Big Lots! hair
items...same bottle/size/brand and marked for BL's is only $2.49?
Stupid stupid stupid promotion and I'm still annoyed.  Plus the shelves
where all these drugstore liquidation things were stocked had no
organization....ugh!

As for your original premise about large sizes over normal...I'm a big
fan of the price per oz/lb/etc tag on the shelf...or sometimes I just
whip out the handy calculator and figure out the unit price myself.

 On Wed, 27 Sep 2006 23:08:42 +0000 (UTC), nospam@nospam.com (Paul
Ciszek) wrote:


My wife shops Big Lots.  She doesn't go there intending to find
specific items, but to look for bargains.
Here's a few items she says makes it worth going, but
while there is usually one or another available, it's never the case
that all are available.  She drops in about once every couple weeks.

Bottled drinks (one being Welches grape juice at half the price you'll
find it elsewhere.  Here, at least.)
Vitamins
Garbage bags
Bubble baths
Dish soaps
Dishes, kitchen and home utensils.
Bedding (including electric heating pads)

Sorry I can't give more specific items, but suffice it to say you have
to be willing to browse there.  And you have to know what the item
costs elsewhere.  If you're willing to meet those 2 requirements, you
will find good bargains.  And you might find an item cheaper
elsewhere, but don't know where that elsewhere is.
You may or may not find a particular bargain repeatedly.

--Vic

 On Wed, 27 Sep 2006 21:13:21 -0500, Vic Smith



Well, I lied.  Sort of.  My wife just came back from Big Lots.
She went for specific items she had bought there before at bargain
prices, blank DVD's and a DVD portfolio.
But she found other bargains.  60 bucks worth.

--Vic

 Vic Smith wrote:

how much were they? costco sells 100 blank TDK 4.7G +R *or* -R for $40.
for some reason the -R outsells the +R 3 to 1. i buy -R myself, but dont
know why... creature of habit, and - seems to work.