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Big Lots review: 30 day return policy 17

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2:38 pm EST
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I have been shopping at Big Lots stores for close to 10 years and had always enjoyed finding close out bargains and purchasing without worrying about whether Big Lots would be there in the case that the product was unsatisfactory or if I needed to return it because it was no longer needed.
Apparently Big Lots has acquired a 30 day return policy on all returns. So when I purchased Christmas gifts in October and gifted in December, we were not able to return any unwanted gifts even for store credit.
After speaking with Big Lots Columbus Oh customer service, I learned that the corporation stood by that policy with no exceptions.
I'm glad that I learned a valuable lesson about Big Lots with the little investment / loss that I did incur... I'll take my shopping elsewhere.

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17 comments
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CharlotteWeb
Temple, US
Feb 14, 2023 12:06 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I bought house shoes and took back to exchange for smaller size 2 days later. Thought my recipient was in purse but it wasn't. Was told I have to take a 20% loss without a receipt. They refund item less 20% and do another transaction for another pair. I ask can't I just do even exchange for a dif size? Answer was no.

So I said I'd go home to see if I can find receipt first.

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notfair2me
herrin, US
Jun 23, 2022 8:27 pm EDT
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I purchased a love seat at Big Lots, gave my then couch to someone who needed it. couldnt pick it up for a week but when they came to get my large couch, they then drove to Big Lots to pick up my love seat.. someone gave them the wrong love seat! So Big Lots was going to deliver mine and pick their mistake up because it was their fault the wrong love seat was given to me. That took three weeks. then 3 women in a pickup truck brought it to me, not being able to carry it, scooting it on the cement. Only damage done was one arm of the couch was just a little smashed, I could live with that after all the trouble and frustration there was getting the right one to my house. The love seat had an odor to it but assumed it because of storage and in that thick plastic it was wrapped in. well it still not smells, it reeks! when I sit on it I wear the smell of it. I called and was told I would have to deliver it myself back to the store, in a very aggressive tone of voice more than once. Then was told they would tell the manager, but that he would just turn it over to her, I am presuming her as shift manager of furniture, or something like that. I still have not heard from them. My living room, quite small, is filling up with this odor. I do not feel like I should have to deliver it back to their store, but what ever it takes. I just would like to hear from someone about it. I tried to call the main office and after 45 min, was disconnected. any advice might be helpful?

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Jelka Dasent
, US
Jan 24, 2017 3:33 pm EST

WHAT ABOUT if I purchased a FAULTY recliner! the return for this I am being told is 30 days for an item of furniture that is not working because of a faulty mechanical switch. That is NOT fair.

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Jay1982
, US
Oct 13, 2012 7:21 pm EDT

I was shopping in Shawnee Big Lots on Oct. 11 2012 and my child seen a female manager hanging all over some guy. Not something that should be allowed to happen. It was very inappropriate and I will never shop there again.

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Sbx7
Santa Clarita, US
Jul 11, 2013 1:45 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have bought many items from Big Lots and yes, sometimes I have had problems with the items and have had to return them. Most of the time the merchandise I have bought is good and I've found great deals on items that are more expensive elsewhere, but when it's not I'm not surprised because I kind of expect that. I know the type of place I'm buying merchandise from. Although I've had good and bad experiences with customer service I won't complain about the return policy. I've always followed the 30 day policy and when I've gone past it I have received an exchange or store credit. When people say things like "in this day and age stores should not have a 30 day policy" or "I didn't read the receipt", it just makes me laugh. In this day and age, who is not capable of reading a receipt? A lot of Big Lots stores are just plain filthy and terrible looking and customer service sucks at most, but I'm not going to complain about Big Lots having terrible customer service because of the return policy. One has nothing to do with the other, but I'm sure many are going to argue that point. Places like Best Buy have a 14 day return policy and there you are paying far more than you ever would at Big Lots. Yes, it would be great if the policy was more then 30 days but its not. Yet people posting here continue to shop there. Also, I don't blame the employees for defending themselves. I've been in many retail stores and watched just how ridiculous and juvenile adults will behave in public when they don't get their way. I'm sure everyone here has either seen that or is one of those people. I always speak to people in a respectful manner and when I have a return issue I do the same. I've always been able to work something out with the retailer because I don't kick and scream to get my way. I think if more people here would behave better, especially in public, they wouldn't have the horrible experiences that they do. I'm sure this will be very complicated for some to understand and comprehend but it doesn't change the fact that its still true. You may now fire away as I'm sure you will.

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BlackOnyx
Birmingham, US
Jul 11, 2013 12:09 pm EDT

Yes, anyone who would log on to this website and defend a 1 month return policy is an employee at their corporate building. Notice the tone they use toward people who make conplaints. When you buy from big lots you are supporting a culture that needs serious restructure. Why would the average consumer log in and attach someone who is simply stating how bad their return policy is? There does not exist a looser with this much free time on the Internet. They would be up at big lots hanging out with the rude employees and laughing at all the customers who did not scour their receipt upon purchase. Big lots needs to have this at the check out on a sign so the consumer can put down any item likely to break but not in 4 weeks. This board has shown me the problem is all the way up the chain and a philosophy at corporate. So much for complaining to them, they are too busy defending their policies on complaint boards.

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BlackOnyx
Birmingham, US
Jul 11, 2013 11:59 am EDT

I went to return an iron made by singer when it broke after 3 months of use. They would not trade the product so I will not shop there again. Saving $5 on an iron has now cost me $60. I have learned time and again that you get what you pay for and yesterday was yet another lesson that was my fault for going into the junk store. Walmart from now on as I don't return things enough to over use their return policies.

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redda60
Flatwoods, US
Jul 23, 2011 3:49 am EDT

I Purchased 2 wii dj hero items from big lots in alexandria, la. and they had never been open and i had my receipt well the ex.date was july 3rd i don't live in town and don't go as often well the asst.manager yvonne told me there was nothing they could do ...well that is crapp if you have a receipt an items weren't open you can take it back there return poilcy is a piece of s**t ...i used to shop there alot when i went into town but they just lost 4 customers that shop there and everyone that ask me about big lots i will talk DOWN on them ... they really must be hurting to start putting expiration dates on there receipts ..and lots of people do not realize that so they will go under after awhile ...who do they think keeps them in business ...WE DO !

CherylMASS
CherylMASS
Fitchburg, US
Jul 07, 2011 2:24 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Any store in this day and age that does not have a flexible return policy, does not have me as a customer.
I purchased a Rowenta iron at Big Lots (did not read my receipt..figured they were up to speed on customer satisfaction return issues as are most reputable stores), brought the iron back - price tag and bag from the original purchase and I was told of their policy. I graciously told the underpaid sales person that I was truly disappointed, but understood but would no longer be a frequent customer. I've never had to take anything back in the MANY years I've shopped there and at their other locations.
There are too many other places to shop. Burlington Coat Factory used to have a similar policy until they saw a drop in sales, they now accept returns with or without a receipt.

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nicnac3
Riverside, US
May 15, 2011 10:33 pm EDT

Big Lots policy is what it is. If you don't like it, simply do not shop there. The policy on returns is very straight forward, you have 30 days & must have a receipt. I do not understand why people get upset at the employees for following the policy. They are only following the policy Big Lots has put into place. If they do not follow policy they risk their job. I cannot stand when people throw fits or yell or are just mean to cashiers because they want to return something without a receipt. Especially for gifts. You shouldn't be returning a gift in the 1st place. Also, Big Lots offers gift receipts for exchanges within 30 days, if its the wrong size or not your taste. Basically, if you want hassle free returns, spend the extra money to shop somewhere else.

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emergencyfan
Augusta, US
May 05, 2011 2:11 pm EDT

I recently bought two hammocks from them and have lost the receipt. Even though the items were unopened and still had all the original tags (including the Big Lots price tag), I was told there was no refund possible, not even store credit. I was excited about their new Buzz Club but now I'm not interested in shopping with them any more. I rarely make returns and don't want to have to keep up with receipts on the off chance I do. I've never shopped at a store that wouldn't at least give me store credit for a return w/o one. I'd rather pay a little more somewhere else and know that I'll have a hassle-free return if I need it.

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John R Croft
Atlanta, US
Apr 15, 2011 12:15 am EDT

Just came back from Big Lots after attempting to return two defective patio chairs. The chairs crack when we sat on them. They were only $8.00 so I wasn't really surprised. I was however surprised that they would not let me return them for store credit. I had lost the receipt. They would only do a same exchange. Why would I want to exchange for more of the same defective junk? I just left the chairs at the store for them to deal with. I expect they will take the free chairs and sell them to someone else. After all, it's Big Lots. At least it's cleaner than dumpster diving!

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asdfasdfas
Laguna Beach, US
Feb 02, 2011 10:54 pm EST

I have the same complaint! I refuse to shop there because of it! never ever ever again!

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stang cobra
Redondo Beach, US
Jun 29, 2010 10:47 pm EDT
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Big Lots return policy is really bad compared to other discount stores.

Please be aware that comments from "h m" and "youdontmakesense", that defend Big Lots, are probably employees. If you click on their names and their previous comments, you can see that they constantly defend Big Lots, and only that store.

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youdontmakesense
Van Nuys, US
Feb 15, 2010 2:24 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Why can't you and people like you READ THE POLICY ON YOUR RECEIPT, especially the expiration date. Then, you have the nerve to get upset because they won't return the item. Also, at X-mas time, you get a longer timeframe to return the item so maybe you should have been more on top of things and gotten there sooner. And please don't say some lame excuse as you were to busy because you have at least 30 - 60 days to return it and chose not to do so. So exactly who here is the problem? That's the same as buying food and a few weeks later being upset that it expired and has now gone bad. Does that mean you won't eat anything anymore. I guess you would probably take that issue up with the department of agriculture.

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Jessie Moyer
, US
Dec 30, 2016 4:15 pm EST

I'm excuse me rude piece of crap. People get presents and don't know when people bought the stuff, so Christmas time should always be an exception. Next don't be a rude ###.

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h m
Fitchburg, US
Feb 05, 2010 10:24 am EST

the return policy is printed on the receipt, there is also a date stating the last date that the receipt is
valid. all companies have limits to when they will honor returns. big lots has a limited ability to
return items to warehouse, and as a way of stopping dumpster divers from returning defective items
that were thrown away, they are stricter than most on returns.

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