Big Lots — Local services in Athens

Well ...I was there a while.. shopping for the future and also currently. I wanted to try out some new things and I did. I liked some and two not so much. I can handle the flavored water ....but that ginger mint candy disgusting....reminded me of basement— gross. I only ate one and they didn't want to refund it, despite having a 30 day refund policy with unspoken exceptions, that they aren't clear on....if it is a disgusting food ...they don't want to do so. It cost $1.25...and until my sister spoke up ... they wasn't going to give a refund...Then they said it wasn't worth an argument and gave the refund. During which, I said I just wanted to try it. I was hoping to ease the tension. The manager said..."Well if I tried things and didn't like it....I'd put it on the break table for others to try." It seemed a little snarky the way she said it, but okay. I enjoy peace and that wasn't worth losing my peace for. I don't have a break table though.... because I work for myself. I decided to keep my peace and just ignored her remark. If I sit it on my own table....it would sit there and just get stale and worse. My sister left upset about the situation and I understand, but you live, you learn...They do need clear signs that says no refunds for any food products....in which I probably wouldn't even try it. If I want to try a food in the future, I can go to Walmart and if it is nasty they have no issues with giving refunds to gross or bad stuff.

Here is the truth about Big Lots...you want to save money, go to Dollar Tree, Dollar General, or Walmart....but Big Lots is high on most of their prices. Usually you can find their stuff cheaper elsewhere.

The furniture, which we tried out a while, is about $400 each (some higher) kinda okay prices I guess ...but it made me hurt a bit after sitting in the chair a while...maybe I should have raised it up. But I didn't want to interfere with other customers.

They did respectfully let us sit on the furniture a while and maybe one day I will get a chair or something like that from them...maybe their fuzzy couch I tried a short time. The middle was worn, but it's no telling how long it's been on display and the end was comfy. I liked that it is a fuzzy material. I am a sucker for fluffy things. The chair I tried for a while and maybe if I tried it up, it'd not have been so bad. It is a VERY wide chair.... personally I think it should be cheaper...but it is big and gives plenty of space.

The store is clean... besides the bathroom.

There is plenty of parking, including handicap parking.

I really wanted to try their Horehound candy, but now that I understand their refund rules....I probably never will. I think an amazing idea would be if when they try things and don't like it....they have samples of the weird things to eat, so a customer can taste one before they buy it. There was a few things I wanted to try. I don't want to spend money on things I am gonna throw away though. I think they could make more sales with samples. The candy prices ....some are high and some are okay and I would have actually bought a higher dollar candy if I was allowed to try it first. I did not want to make 2 returns and that's why I didn't try more than the one ...at that time I didn't know their return policy. They have a lot of interesting candies though, that I would like to try ...but not if I have to try and keep a whole bag....just to throw it away. I am glad to know the policy now. I know not to try ther candy if I don't already know I'll like it. I like ginger and they have a bit of ginger candies. Oh, well....that's kinda disappointing, but a lesson learned. At least she did reluctantly give me a refund.

Overall...she was friendly though, until the refund issue. Then she still tried to get herself together and be nice at the end though. Hopefully she could see I wasn't trying to be difficult....I just wanted to try it out. I expected to like it. At least now, we are on the same page about candy returns. Maybe they will give smples one day or sell them as a sample pack you...

UPDATE: MORE DECEIPT: Big Lots reached out to me in response to this post by stating "We want to be sure you're taken care of" providing the link to their "customer care dept", which couldn't have cared less that my credit card information was STOLEN FROM ME - by either an employee or stranger's use of my credit card when it wasn't returned to me. The AL Attorney General has encouraged me to file a complaint with their office against Big Lots, which I'll be doing next. Beware of a possible credit card SCAM/SWINDLE, of which I was a victim. Two weeks ago, I made a return to the store and was credited $3.58 on my Discover card. I immediately left the store without making a purchase. Upon returning home, I realized that the cashier had not given me back my credit card, and there was a $23 + charge on my credit card by a stranger, minutes after I left the store. The usual run-around ensued: Big Lots in Athens told me I had to take it up with Discover card (after stealing from me!), and Discover card said that it had to be addressed with Big Lots. Big Lots did not even have the integrity to check their security surveillance for me to confirm that this charge was not made by me, and determine who DID use my card: a stranger, or an employee? Its not a lot of money, but WAY TO SWINDLE your long-time, loyal (senior citizen)...

My husband and I were there 2 days ago and was interested in buy a full living room set and was told to do online application, the next day my customer which bought a home from in mobile home park, was there and my husband help her to pick up a love seat and he told her that we were interested in the set we like so she bought a black love seat and my husband told the guys that helping him loading that do not sell it will come in the next day and get it(12-28-18 Friday). Now the problem is that guy name David sold the loveseat (display) we like , to the lady that bought the black loveseat because she bring it back but can't sell us the display when we in need of the living room set for our new home. I do not appreciate that. Every other place would be willing told sell it to you if you need it because they can order to bring in and put it...