If you‘re an avid bargain hunter, chances are you‘ve shopped at Big Lots or at least considered checking out one of their stores. With over 1,400 locations across 47 states, Big Lots is one of the most popular discount retailers in the United States. They offer brand-name merchandise at closeout prices in a variety of categories including furniture, home decor, food, toys, and more.
But one common question many shoppers have is: do you need a special membership to take advantage of the deals at Big Lots? The short answer is no – you can shop at Big Lots without any membership at all. However, Big Lots does offer an optional free rewards program that provides extra perks and savings. Let‘s take a closer look at how it works.
No Membership Required for Big Lots
Unlike warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam‘s Club that charge annual membership fees, Big Lots does not require any paid membership to shop at their stores or website. You can simply walk in and start filling up your cart with discounted treasures, no signing up or paying fees necessary. This makes Big Lots very convenient and accessible for the average shopper.
Big Lots‘ business model is based on purchasing excess inventory and closeouts from manufacturers at a steep discount, then passing on the savings to customers. They don‘t rely on membership fees for revenue. Instead, they make money by selling a high volume of constantly-rotating limited-time deals and markdowns.
So if memberships aren‘t required, why does Big Lots offer a rewards program at all? It‘s a way to encourage customer loyalty and repeat business by giving shoppers an incentive to choose Big Lots over competitors. The rewards program is completely free and voluntary to join.
Overview of the Big Rewards Loyalty Program
In 2017, Big Lots launched their Big Rewards program nationwide. It‘s free to sign up and allows customers to earn points and rewards on their Big Lots purchases. The program is open to legal residents of the US who are at least 18 years old.
Signing Up for Big Rewards
There are two ways to enroll in Big Rewards:
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In-store: Ask a store associate to help you sign up at checkout. You‘ll fill out a short registration form and be given a physical Big Rewards card to use when you shop.
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Online: Visit the Big Lots website and click on the "Big Rewards" link to access the registration page. Enter your information and submit the form. You‘ll have the option to print a paper Big Rewards card or access a digital version through your online account.
Once you‘re enrolled, you‘ll start earning points on qualifying purchases both in-store and online. Be sure to swipe your rewards card or enter your phone number at checkout so your points are credited.
Big Rewards Benefits
As a Big Rewards member, you‘ll get access to exclusive perks, including:
- Earning points on purchases: Get 1 point per $1 spent on qualifying items. Earn bonus points on select products.
- $5 Big Rewards: For every 500 points earned, you‘ll receive a $5 reward to use on a future Big Lots purchase.
- Receipt-free returns: Rewards members can return items without a receipt for store credit.
- Bonus rewards events: Earn 2x or 3x points during special promotions.
- Exclusive offers: Get special coupons, discounts, and early access to deals.
- Birthday surprise: Receive a treat on your birthday, such as bonus points or a discount.
- Easy online account management: Check your points balance and Big Rewards online.
The $5 rewards earned through the program are valid for 90 days. Rewards are issued automatically – you‘ll receive an email notification when you have rewards available to use. Rewards are automatically redeemed on your next eligible purchase.
Maximizing Your Big Rewards Membership
To get the most savings out of your Big Rewards membership, follow these tips:
- Use your Big Rewards card every time you shop to accumulate points faster.
- Take advantage of bonus point events to accelerate your earnings.
- Allow Big Lots to send you emails so you receive coupons, sale alerts, and promotional offers.
- Redeem your rewards before they expire in 90 days.
- Check your online Big Rewards account regularly to see your current points balance.
- Combine Big Rewards offers with Big Lots coupons for maximum discounts.
Comparing Big Lots to Retailers with Paid Memberships
As mentioned earlier, Big Lots stands out from wholesale clubs and some other big box chains by not charging membership fees. Let‘s see how they stack up:
Costco and Sam‘s Club
Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam‘s Club require an annual membership fee (around $45-60) to access their stores and deals. In exchange, members can buy items in bulk sizes at low unit prices. These clubs tend to have a more limited selection than discount stores.
Barnes & Noble and Best Buy
Bookstore chain Barnes & Noble offers a paid membership program that costs $25/year. It includes perks like free shipping, special discounts, and a discount on café items. Electronics retailer Best Buy has a similar membership for $199/year that provides perks like free shipping, extended returns, and exclusive deals.
Amazon Prime
While not a traditional retailer, Amazon‘s Prime membership significantly impacts the retail landscape. For $119/year, Prime provides benefits like free 2-day shipping, video and music streaming, and more on Amazon‘s vast online marketplace. Many shoppers find the convenience and perks worth the cost.
So are paid retail memberships worth it? It depends on your shopping habits and which benefits matter most to you. If you frequently shop at a particular store and will utilize the membership perks, a paid membership could be a smart investment to increase your savings over time. However, if your shopping is more sporadic or you‘re on a tight budget, sticking to no-membership retailers like Big Lots is a good strategy.
Saving Money at Big Lots With or Without Big Rewards
Whether you opt to enroll in Big Rewards or not, there are plenty of ways to find bargains at Big Lots. Use these money-saving tactics:
- Browse the weekly ad: See the latest deals and plan your shopping trip around sales.
- Shop on Saturdays: Big Lots puts out new markdowns and inventory on Saturday mornings.
- Clip Big Lots coupons: Find coupons online, in newspapers, or on the Big Lots app or website.
- Check the clearance section: Head to the back of the store for hidden clearance gems.
- Compare prices: Use a price comparison app or website to ensure Big Lots has the best price.
- Consider open box items: Big Lots sells returned items at a discounted price.
- Use rebate apps: Earn additional rewards by submitting your Big Lots receipt to apps like Ibotta or Fetch Rewards.
With a little savvy shopping, you can score some amazing deals at Big Lots on a wide range of products for your home and family.
The Bottom Line: Membership Not Required
To recap, Big Lots does not require any special membership to shop at their stores or website. You can take advantage of their constantly-rotating selection of discounted goods without signing up or paying any membership fees. This sets Big Lots apart from wholesale clubs and some other big-box chains that have paid membership programs.
However, frequent Big Lots shoppers can benefit from signing up for the free Big Rewards loyalty program to earn points and unlock exclusive savings. With no cost to join, it‘s a no-brainer for loyal Big Lots customers. That said, there are still plenty of ways to save at Big Lots without a rewards membership by using smart shopping strategies like couponing and price comparing.
Ultimately, whether to join a retail membership comes down to your personal shopping habits, budget, and which perks you value most. But thanks to Big Lots‘ no-membership-required policy, you have the freedom to shop the bargain retailer in whatever way makes the most sense for you.
