"Ollie's Bargain Outlet...."???

[JDgreen227]

Today's news had a full page ad for that discount chain that is opening in west Lansing at the end of the month. Supposedly they are a closeout store that buys leftover odds and end from various vendors...something like a Big Lots on a larger scale. Has anyone on TBN been to one of their stores, they currently have locations in Delaware, Kentucky, Ohio, and ten other states. Is it someplace worth burning $8 worth of gas to check out?

 

[Midniteoyl]

We have something like that here.. They buy up insurance totals, surplus, overruns, etc.. Also have furniture and ITT (Same as Harbor Freight) tools. I get some really good deal there when new shipment come in. Like 50cent oil, 99cent paint cans, $20 5 gal house paint, $1 Jacks Links, and loads and loads of candy!

Bailey's Discount Center

 

[radioman]

I have been to the store. the wood flooring is same as lowes cheap stuff, the linoleum flooring is the older designs but cheap. the food and other stuff, I bought paint from them and it stinks.
I dont buy stuff at ollies, the quality doesnt seem to be there.

 

[murphy1244]

Its a junk store JD.

 

[LD1]

Its a junk store JD.

Ditto

 

[2458n]

I was disappointed and only drove 2 miles. Odd Lots back in the day did have real items that were close outs ,over runs and mislabled type stuff. Now everything is direct from China with the big lots label. Their tool buyer went someplace a number of years ago and that was the end of finding name brand tools. Big lots had a 20 percent off coupon today on your total purchase. Never considered going. Ollies is worse. Harbor Freight has raised the price on quite a few items lately. Glad I was around and bought my junk when I did.

 

[kennyd]

Its a junk store JD.

Ditto

Ditto +3.

We have them here in MD, I tried a few times but there was nothing good to buy.

 

[schoolsout]

Book section can be interesting, at least

 

[JDgreen227]

Book section can be interesting, at least

Thanks to all for the detailed responses....I don't buy junk, let alone shop at Harbor FRIGHT. And the local Goodwill store 3 miles away sells great books for 4/99 cents every day, and I have over 700 stocked up.

 

[SPIKER]

Ditto +3.

We have them here in MD, I tried a few times but there was nothing good to buy.

Yep same here, in Mansfield has one on the south side. Been there half dozen times, bought some spray paint in rattle cans. Picked up some paint brushes and looked at a lot of BROKEN STUFF that was at "on sale prices" that should have been thrown out... If it was real close to you maybe worth stopping in more but it is not in our beaten path so not worth going to ME.

They DID have some OK coats and Insulated Flannel Shirts/Coats for reasonable prices back in MAY... Though I was in Sears same day & had about same selection for a buck each on gloves scarves and 2 buck coats. Ollies were 15...

Mark

 

[Rustyiron]

They are one of those "hit or miss" stores that need to be handy on the way home from work. I've gotten good deals on shovels & rakes, spray cans and some Walls winter bibs, and have left empty handed many of times as well.

 

[MacLawn]

I don't now about nary Ollie's, but in Mississippi, we have one called Hudson's. That's the high end one - full of junque! But, you can find some good buys. Fluorescent bulbs from Los Angeles city department for $1.49 each one time. The low end version of Hudson's is called - get this - Dirt Cheap! I ain't joking nor jestin! I got a through the block (those kind designed not to freeze) faucet last year for $6.00. It was $44 in the Home Depot, Lowes. Eh, I'd say check out this old Ollie's place. Now, if old Sven opens one down the road, I don't know!

 

[jwstewar]

We have one. Like someone else said, it can be hit or miss. I've bought several books there - mainly computer programming and my wife has gotten books for her camera there. They can also have some decent buys at Christmas time on toys as well. I'll give you an example of something we did well with. We bought a Refurbed Spot Bot carpet cleaner. I can't remember the exact prices but I think a new one is $100 in the stores, I think we paid $25 or $30 there and it still works fine. You can also find some decent kitchen hand tools - large spoons, etc - all decent brands. I also bought some "second" Levi jeans last fall. Don't think they were sized/made correctly but for $7 for jeans for me to work in, they were just fine.

 

[forgeblast]

Hit and Miss store is a good name for it. It all depends on the close outs. Also know your prices before you go in, sometimes they are more expensive then other stores.
They had a nice close out on fishing gear last year, spools of fishing line for 99cents.