Bargains In A Box

We would drive by it all the time for years wondering what the heck this place was. The first time in there we found some pretty decent deals on stuff that we could use when we knew the actual price of them. So fine, the other day we drove by and they had all sorts of things out in the parking lot… First off these spaces are way too small for all of them to be filled and we saw people parked in none parking spaces out of the way. We were wandering around looking and all of a sudden someone yells out. Who’s «insert color» car is parked over there? It was ours yes… We were not in a parking space yes… But we we off to the side and not blocking the entrance just like other people. I was not about to chance getting our car dinged because people don’t know how to park and the spaces are so small. In short what could have turned into giving them a decent amount of money I bought 2 things for $ 7 each, he went and drove around a picked me up. Obviously money is no object for them if they are willing to drive off customers like that… This is the stuff that gets passed to other people and makes me unwilling to return.

Bought (3)pocket hoses. Two of them leak badly. Marie at Bargains in a Box (River Grove) refused to refund. I told her not right nor fair. She said «her boss» told her not to take returns on these hoses. Marie could not tell me how to spell her boss’ name; because I believe Marie is the boss and one of the owners. No one «working» at a Bargains in a Box could afford her haircut, manicure or clothes.
Am going to my credit card company to get my money. It is not the $ 20.00 it is the idea of not taking a return when I clearly had receipt. She has cost her «boss» money by being unprofessional.

You know that feeling you get when you skip your usual place to try someplace new? That dirty, skeezy feeling like you just cheated on your partner or insulted an ugly baby out loud to its mother? You know you have every right to visit because it’s your money, but it still feels wrong? Now hold that thought.
My wife and I have been going to the Wheeling BiaB for the past 6 months or so. Aside from the expectedly unique and incredibly priced finds and a clean, open environment, the people there are outgoing and friendly to a fault, and always remember us even if weeks have gone by. So imagine our excitement to be visiting the mothership in River Grove. The original. The template by which all others were modeled. It didn’t last long.
The bargains were there. That means some merchandise at WTFH prices, others at good department store sale prices, others at I-​can-​do-​better prices, and stuff you just won’t find anywhere else. We scored on the As Seen On TV railroad watch for $ 10 and the Ergorapido cordless stick vacuum for $ 30 (blows away our full-​sized corded Wind Tunnel in design and performance), and picked up a bunch of grape juice cocktail at 2 bucks a bottle (cheaper than Aldi) for the kids on New Years.
But the store was dirty. I’m not just talking littered-​with-​merchandise-​up-​and-​down-​the-​middle-​of-​the-​aisles dirty, although that was also the case. I’m talking grimey dirty — on the walls and on the floors. The big boxes were overused, both crushed and bulging, and the pull-​boxes were wet and muddy from being out in the tent and parking lot.
Most disappointing was the staff. They couldn’t seem more disinterested in their customers. No banter, no acknowledgment of an attempt at a joke even if not so funny. In fact, in checking out twice, both times we had to step up to a waiting cashier and start putting our stuff in front of them as they avoided any attempt to make eye contact or even reveal that they recognized our presence. They were not unfriendly, I did see our first cashier politely answering an older man’s questions about a product. But if I’m handing my money over to you, that’s an ideal moment to acknowledge my existence and make your «thank you for shopping at Bargains in a Box» sound a little louder than a gurgle.
So in the words of Unilocal’s rating system, «Meh, I’ve experienced better.» One star for the vacuum, and one for the other small scores, but we walked away feeling like we cheated and won’t be going back. We’ll take a run to the Wheeling store before the weekend is over to wash off that skeezy feeling. But then, there IS that shiny new one on North Avenue…

Mine is near my home in Wheeling, IL. I always find a ton of stuff at rock bottom prices. Their «as seen on TV» products are dirt cheap. You do have to dig down into the massive boxes, but it reminds me of the sales they used to have at stores like Goldblatz, Shoppers World, Zayre, etc. (These bargain stores no longer exist). You had to dig through a ton of stuff, but the time would be well spent cause of the money you’d save.
— Deb, in Wheeling IL

I came here for the 1^st time ever last month, and man oh man, as a returning student to nearby Triton College (been going here since ¹⁄₀₈) I need my neck rung something serious for never stopping in this place!
It may be a hassle digging through the large, tall boxes for cheap items, but to me, it’s well worth it. I love the prices and the huge selection that this place offers. When I came here in February, I purchased two large bars of soap for $ 1 and two 4-​pack AA batteries for $ 1. Neato! I couldn’t help but get enticed and shocked at the other low prices on items here. This place REALLY IS a bargain, with a lot of boxes.

I have a love hate relationship with BiaB.
It is called Bargains in a box due to everything being dumped in huge cardboard boxes and the new stuff get piled on top of the old stuff. Also no shopping carts just boxes with rope, so I bring my re usable shopping bags and fill’em up
So I love it because:
1) it is right down the street from the house
2) When I do find things they are cheap like I know no matter what I need it will be under 5 dollars.
3) They carry everything from TVs to wax for your car.
4) They have multiple kitchen «boxes’ and I found a cast iron pan for a dollar!
5) I no longer have to pay almost 5 dollars for my favorite facial scrub or lotions.
Why it frustrates me:
1) Everything is in huge waist high boxes and you must dig for your treasure. I have found when I devote a good hour to digging I find the best stuff!
2) As Previous reviews have stated, Nothing is for certain, you go in with an idea of what your looking for and all though you will find something you must have, it might not be what you came in for.
3) Some stuff like cleaning supplies are actually cheaper at target.
So over all more pros then cons, I have never been to BiaB on the weekends, but I see they pull out big stuff into the parking lot, like furniture and clothing racks.

They just had some crazy tent sale with coats, small appliances, clothes, etc. A bunch of crap but a ton of last minute stocking stuffers and wrapping paper.
This is one of the stores where you should go in with an idea of what you need but not a list because you won’t find exactly what’s on that list.
Get yourself a box with a string and start bargain hunting.