Friday, October 07, 2005

Consumer Question

Q: At which store are you most likely to buy things you don't need?

A: Cheesy ads notwithstanding, Big Lots. There are enough legitimate deals there to get me in the doors every month or so, and enough unusual--but unneeded--stuff to tempt me. That's the whole premise of Big Lots: you never know what you will find. No use making a list; be delighted on every aisle, not necessarily to the delight of your budget.

Q: What is the most recent thing you bought there?

A: It would have to be my $5 Pickle Making Kit (see photo)--which of course will save me money one day, given our love for the expensive pickles that crunch. Also in my shopping cart was an Ionic Hair Trimmer for my husband's Christmas stocking (maybe we can figure out exactly how the ions will improve his homemade buzz cut). For the pantry, a box of Thai curry mix with jasmine rice, bottles of paprika and pumpkin pie spice, and Carb Options orange mango tea mix.


Mrs. Happy Housewife said...

I love Big Lots. It's the kind of place where you walk down the aisle and suddenly remember that you have needed a cobalt Pyrex meatloaf dish for a long time and simply must buy it because it is such a good price.

Sarah Jane said...

For me stores like Big Lots are like a bottomless pit. I go walking into them full of purpose, knowing exactly what I'm looking for, thinking, "I'll get this, that, and I'm out of here." Then half and hour later I find myself walking slowly down the aisles with my eyes huge and my basket full of stuff I'm not sure I even want. It's crazy how those places change you like that.