Big Lots is an often looked over or even despised treasure. Looking at the outside of a standard Big Lots you might think you’ve stumbled upon just another depressing grocery store, but you would be wrong. However, the stores do often open up in buildings that used to be grocery stores. The stores are worth looking into. Since being founded in 1967, the Big Lots corporation has expanded to having about fourteen hundred stores in forty-seven states. The thing I never expected to discover is that the Big Lots corporation did over four billion dollars in sales last year! They are a serious force in the retail industry.

The location on Beckham in Tyler is an all time favorite of mine. Like most Big Lots stores the outside has nothing to offer the senses, unless you are particularly drawn to the color orange or large signs. The parking lot is rather depressing and doesn’t have the most attractive neighboring stores. In fact, the inside isn’t exactly appealing either, but it does have a lot to offer in terms of merchandise and surprisingly their sales and support staff.

I first went to this location because they were the only one of the two stores in Tyler that offered a full showroom of large furniture. They sell couches, loveseats, recliners, over-stuffed chairs, ottomans and even mattress sets. My past experiences with Big Lots had only been to find cheap but nice presents for people or attempts at lowering my grocery bill. The company has never been a disappointment to me, but they had never wowed me either…that is, until I went to this location.

My sister and brother-in-law had purchase a couch and matching chair-and-a-half a several months prior to my trip. Ever time my wife and I visited their house we were amazed at how nice their couches were and durable to boot. The furniture was nicer and more comfortable than almost any couch I had ever experienced, and I have sat on some very expensive couches. The crazy thing was that they had bought them at the Big Lots in Tyler, TX. We almost couldn’t believe it. Then they told us that they had only paid about seven hundred dollars total and had managed to pay for it using an in store financing plan with low or no interest.

We walked into this store hoping that we could find something comparable to the set my siblings had found. We were instantly impressed with how many pieces of assembled furniture were available for testing. We began sitting on couch after couch, truly enjoying the process. They all seemed so nice and the price tags were very comforting. Of course, they were higher than yard sale prices, but we were tired of ugly dog-destroyed sofas that were free or cost ten dollars. We were ready for grown up furniture, and the store had it. The experience became even better when we spotted the very couch and chair-and-a-half that we had already fallen in love with at my siblings’ house.

The sales associate was beyond nice and helpful. He told us his personal experiences with the couches we were considering and helped us decide on the set we bought. I asked how long it would take to get them in, and he said that they had them in the back. He offered financing if we needed it and mentioned that they could deliver them. Being the penny pincher that I am, I called some friends and borrowed a truck to pick them up by myself. I went back to the store within an hour and the associate greeted me with a smile, called two more guys and walked with me to the back of the store. The three employees joked and grunted as they lifted the couches into my borrowed truck and helped to tie them down.

I brought the couches home and have been constantly pleased. As I type this, I am sitting incredibly comfortably on a couch that was beyond affordable. I tell everyone I know to go to Big Lots when they tell me they are looking for furniture. Almost everyone responds the same. “No. Not Big Lots! How much did you say you paid?” Big Lots will surprise you if you are looking to save money but still have quality. Just think of better things while you walk in and wait to make your judgment once you’ve checked out their merchandise.

Big Lots #1038
1421 South Beckham Avenue
Tyler, TX 75701
(903) 595-0388

Hours:
M-Sat9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sun9 a.m. – 6 p.m.