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Big Lots - Constantly Given 3rd Degree by Employees
Complaint
Review by johnsonjane708 on 2013-01-18
Rating: 
BRIDGETON, MISSOURI -- I went to Big Lots to do research. Customers are to give purses and backpacks to the cashiers or else they are not allowed to shop there. They probably want to cut down on shoplifting but truthfully you can shoplift without those things.
If you appear bulky, an employee will stalk you throughout the store, stop you, and tell you to unzip and take out all the things from within your bags. They'll tell you to search your pockets and take everything out. If you don't comply, they threaten to call the police so it's best not to cause a conflict.
The employee who did that never smiles. Never says "How are you?" Never seems to say anything nice to customers. She only talks to customers when she finds them suspicious. It's not race related either so don't worry, they do this to all bulky looking or purse/bag carriers.
But then again that same employee said in the usual rude, sassy tone "You do know you cannot wear that scarf around your head?"
She fails to speak in a polite way as usual. I think that comment would be offensive to Middle Easterns to be honest. She didn't even bother to know if I was wearing the scarf to protect a possibly balding head due to chemotherapy.
But I guess they don't want potential shoplifters to hide their identity. They're against wearing medical masks for that reason too and my relative has a respiratory problem.
The prices are some of the lowest I've seen for toys at least. The snacks and foods are priced ok... could be lower. Some of the things like iPhone cases and silicone coin purses are WAY overpriced and can be found on the internet for like 1/8th or 1/4th of what they're selling it for.
This store is full of mainly cheap items from China that you don't really need but are nice to have. For electronics, they're not reliable. The food is mainly candy and packaged cereal, junk food, things that are almost/beyond expiration. Big Lots sells lots of secondhand items that bigger stores cannot sell I hear. So you get what you pay for.
So... if you want cheap toys and headphones I suppose this is an ok store. Everything else is ok priced... I found My Little Pony toys (Traveling suitcase pony edition) there for $5 each when they're like $7 each on Amazon. I can't find other places that sell them for lower.
Thrift stores are better... But honestly you have to be tolerant about being treated like a criminal and being stared at. Shoplifters aren't tolerated in any store to keep prices low you know?
Sub par items, sub par employees...
If you appear bulky, an employee will stalk you throughout the store, stop you, and tell you to unzip and take out all the things from within your bags. They'll tell you to search your pockets and take everything out. If you don't comply, they threaten to call the police so it's best not to cause a conflict.
The employee who did that never smiles. Never says "How are you?" Never seems to say anything nice to customers. She only talks to customers when she finds them suspicious. It's not race related either so don't worry, they do this to all bulky looking or purse/bag carriers.
But then again that same employee said in the usual rude, sassy tone "You do know you cannot wear that scarf around your head?"
She fails to speak in a polite way as usual. I think that comment would be offensive to Middle Easterns to be honest. She didn't even bother to know if I was wearing the scarf to protect a possibly balding head due to chemotherapy.
But I guess they don't want potential shoplifters to hide their identity. They're against wearing medical masks for that reason too and my relative has a respiratory problem.
The prices are some of the lowest I've seen for toys at least. The snacks and foods are priced ok... could be lower. Some of the things like iPhone cases and silicone coin purses are WAY overpriced and can be found on the internet for like 1/8th or 1/4th of what they're selling it for.
This store is full of mainly cheap items from China that you don't really need but are nice to have. For electronics, they're not reliable. The food is mainly candy and packaged cereal, junk food, things that are almost/beyond expiration. Big Lots sells lots of secondhand items that bigger stores cannot sell I hear. So you get what you pay for.
So... if you want cheap toys and headphones I suppose this is an ok store. Everything else is ok priced... I found My Little Pony toys (Traveling suitcase pony edition) there for $5 each when they're like $7 each on Amazon. I can't find other places that sell them for lower.
Thrift stores are better... But honestly you have to be tolerant about being treated like a criminal and being stared at. Shoplifters aren't tolerated in any store to keep prices low you know?
Sub par items, sub par employees...
Comments:
Posted by leet60 on 2013-01-18:
I find the post somewhat confusing. Initially it is indicated that you have to give purses, backpacks etc. to the cashier to shop. Later the post indicates you are followed and possibly stopped if you are carrying bulky bags, purses etc. Could they be left in the car? Are the items not being left with the cashier upon entry?
I have always understood Big Lots to be a reseller of overstock type merchandise, so I expect little more from them when I shop there.
I would not "turn out my pockets" on demand of a store employee, it is unreasonable to be searched by a store and were I asked to do so I would simply leave or let them call the authorities.
I have always understood Big Lots to be a reseller of overstock type merchandise, so I expect little more from them when I shop there.
I would not "turn out my pockets" on demand of a store employee, it is unreasonable to be searched by a store and were I asked to do so I would simply leave or let them call the authorities.
Posted by shayen on 2013-01-18:
I agree with the above poster. I would never leave my personal belongings with an employee and I would let them call the police if they accused me of anything or "demanded" I empty my pockets. I've never had this experience in the different Big Lots I've been in. In fact, I've never seen or heard of anyone having this experience before.
Posted by trmn8r on 2013-01-18:
As leet pointed out, there are some inconsistencies in the story, with both the question of whether bags may be carried around the store as well as unreasonable searches. My understanding is that unless you are seen taking something, they can't make you "turn out your pockets," but I may be wrong.
The thing that jumps out at me is that as described this store has a HUGE problem with shoplifting. Unlike a WallsMart, they can't afford to have 1,000 cameras running per store, and people monitoring them. I wouldn't be surprised if employees were lurking around being nosy, but there are limits to what they can do.
The OP's take away sounds like a good call - this store is good for shopping for a limited number of things - as many are. Personally, I wouldn't shop there. Helpful review.
The thing that jumps out at me is that as described this store has a HUGE problem with shoplifting. Unlike a WallsMart, they can't afford to have 1,000 cameras running per store, and people monitoring them. I wouldn't be surprised if employees were lurking around being nosy, but there are limits to what they can do.
The OP's take away sounds like a good call - this store is good for shopping for a limited number of things - as many are. Personally, I wouldn't shop there. Helpful review.
Posted by Obsfucation on 2013-01-18:
If they threaten to call the police, invite them to do so. You haven't got anything to hide, right? Then if they really do call, let them explain to the cop why they called them in.
Posted by madconsumer on 2013-01-18:
how horrible is this? i agree, i would never leave my personal items for the cashier to hold while i shop. with them following you around like that, i would be concerned for my safety. this borders on stalking to me.
Posted by johnsonjane708 on 2013-01-19:
I'm the original poster, I just wanted to add that if you didn't experience this, your Big Lots must be way different from mine.
The Big Lots that does all the stalking and demanding purses to be left with the cashier is at:
10415 Saint Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074
(314) 429-6120
Employees do this with the nearby Family Dollar too.
At Big Lots I was really concerned when the employee KNEW where I kept my wallet in that backpack (was going from the library to Big Lots, so that was why I was carrying it) Many people would assume people carry wallets on their person right? I went to pay for the item and she said "You can get your money from here now." and pointed to the backpack. I was like RED FLAG RED FLAG but it didn't look like any thing was missing...
I had items I previously purchased from there like cosmetics. I had them in my bag. I hid it in my coat because I didn't want to leave my belongings at the cashier again.
I had the cosmetics because I like to put on make up on the go. I didn't have my receipt. I guess that was pretty dumb of me.
The employee threatened to call police and told me never to come again and if I do, the police would be called. She confiscated all the cosmetics I purchased. Even a can opener in my bag that wasn't even marked with a Big Lots sticker. (I kept one in my bag to open pet foods for stray animals nearby)
I felt really violated. But I did what the employee asked because I didn't think the police would believe me since I didn't have the receipt. I was scared so I complied with the employee.
None of the local stores gave me this treatment except for Family Dollar and Big Lots. Why is it that the cheaper and more poor quality the goods the stores sell, the more aggressive they are with potential shoplifters?
I'm never shopping here again. Prices on the internet are cheaper anyway. :/ Try eBay, Amazon... Newegg, whatever. Just not this place, my gosh.
The Big Lots that does all the stalking and demanding purses to be left with the cashier is at:
10415 Saint Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074
(314) 429-6120
Employees do this with the nearby Family Dollar too.
At Big Lots I was really concerned when the employee KNEW where I kept my wallet in that backpack (was going from the library to Big Lots, so that was why I was carrying it) Many people would assume people carry wallets on their person right? I went to pay for the item and she said "You can get your money from here now." and pointed to the backpack. I was like RED FLAG RED FLAG but it didn't look like any thing was missing...
I had items I previously purchased from there like cosmetics. I had them in my bag. I hid it in my coat because I didn't want to leave my belongings at the cashier again.
I had the cosmetics because I like to put on make up on the go. I didn't have my receipt. I guess that was pretty dumb of me.
The employee threatened to call police and told me never to come again and if I do, the police would be called. She confiscated all the cosmetics I purchased. Even a can opener in my bag that wasn't even marked with a Big Lots sticker. (I kept one in my bag to open pet foods for stray animals nearby)
I felt really violated. But I did what the employee asked because I didn't think the police would believe me since I didn't have the receipt. I was scared so I complied with the employee.
None of the local stores gave me this treatment except for Family Dollar and Big Lots. Why is it that the cheaper and more poor quality the goods the stores sell, the more aggressive they are with potential shoplifters?
I'm never shopping here again. Prices on the internet are cheaper anyway. :/ Try eBay, Amazon... Newegg, whatever. Just not this place, my gosh.
Posted by Johnsonjane708 on 2013-01-19:
@leet60, to clarify, if you're bulky looking, they'll ask you to unzip and reveal yourself, turn out your pockets.
I meant that if you're hiding a bag within your coat, since some customers don't want to leave their bags by the cashier, they'll make you take everything out.
I didn't want to leave my bag by the cashier because she knew exactly where I had my wallet in there. I don't even know why she would need to know what was in the contents of my bag upon entering the store. I was creeped out.
But it could be because there are products placed at the entrance of the store before you even meet the cashier.
Again this place is at
10415 Saint Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074
(314) 429-6120
I meant that if you're hiding a bag within your coat, since some customers don't want to leave their bags by the cashier, they'll make you take everything out.
I didn't want to leave my bag by the cashier because she knew exactly where I had my wallet in there. I don't even know why she would need to know what was in the contents of my bag upon entering the store. I was creeped out.
But it could be because there are products placed at the entrance of the store before you even meet the cashier.
Again this place is at
10415 Saint Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074
(314) 429-6120
Posted by Soaring Consumer on 2013-01-19:
Personally I have never experienced anything like this at the local Big Lots stores in my area, I suggest possibly contacting Big Lots corporate office because this treatment might be a violation of some of their customer relations policies.
Posted by Johnsonjane708 on 2013-01-19:
You know what, I think I may have been discriminated against somehow. My other friends said they visited Family Dollar (they did the same thing) and Big Lots recently and they didn't receive this treatment.
It seems others didn't receive this treatment either.
Why is it that when I walked into Big Lots for the first time ever, they told me to leave my backpack up at the cashier?
Something is not right. My friend takes her huge purse there and they don't make her do this. Are they judging me by my appearance? I feel very angry and violated.
I have shopped at more expensive stores and they never gave me this treatment. cheap little stores are so dedicated to protecting their cheap little merchandise it seems. Gosh.
This happened at
10415 Saint Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074
(314) 429-6120
Don't forget it.
It seems others didn't receive this treatment either.
Why is it that when I walked into Big Lots for the first time ever, they told me to leave my backpack up at the cashier?
Something is not right. My friend takes her huge purse there and they don't make her do this. Are they judging me by my appearance? I feel very angry and violated.
I have shopped at more expensive stores and they never gave me this treatment. cheap little stores are so dedicated to protecting their cheap little merchandise it seems. Gosh.
This happened at
10415 Saint Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074
(314) 429-6120
Don't forget it.
Posted by leet60 on 2013-01-19:
@johnsonjane. Thanks for the clarification. I find their treatment of you appalling and I would at this point "vote with my wallet" and never shop their again.
Posted by Johnsonjane708 on 2013-01-20:
You are welcome and thank you for being supportive, leet60.
I only stopped by there because I like to get out of the house and look at things, but not always buy.
I am sorry that I said they did this to all customers. I just assumed that because they told me it was store policy when I questioned why I should leave my bag with the cashier.
I didn't think much about it at first because I thought "If they do this to all customers, I guess it's ok."
I feel very offended and just sick to my stomach. I don't know why they did this to me but I will be asking someone to help me investigate this matter.
I will never shop there again. I only shopped there because I felt sympathy for all people in this economy and wanted to stimulate it by helping local businesses with my purchases.
They expected me to trust them with my bag which contains my bank debit card, driver's license and cash. They expected me to trust their word that it was "store policy" to leave my bags with the cashier. And I did.
But they will NEVER give me that kind of trust and that isn't right. They should be serving me, not expect me to serve them.
Even stores with few cameras like Big Lots never treated me like this and they were always so kind to me. I'm really sad that there are people out there who treat customers AND employees this way. (I have heard from other reviews Big Lots employees have been given this kind of intimidation treatment as well)
I only stopped by there because I like to get out of the house and look at things, but not always buy.
I am sorry that I said they did this to all customers. I just assumed that because they told me it was store policy when I questioned why I should leave my bag with the cashier.
I didn't think much about it at first because I thought "If they do this to all customers, I guess it's ok."
I feel very offended and just sick to my stomach. I don't know why they did this to me but I will be asking someone to help me investigate this matter.
I will never shop there again. I only shopped there because I felt sympathy for all people in this economy and wanted to stimulate it by helping local businesses with my purchases.
They expected me to trust them with my bag which contains my bank debit card, driver's license and cash. They expected me to trust their word that it was "store policy" to leave my bags with the cashier. And I did.
But they will NEVER give me that kind of trust and that isn't right. They should be serving me, not expect me to serve them.
Even stores with few cameras like Big Lots never treated me like this and they were always so kind to me. I'm really sad that there are people out there who treat customers AND employees this way. (I have heard from other reviews Big Lots employees have been given this kind of intimidation treatment as well)
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