Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is a popular discount retail chain known for its deep discounts on brand name products. With over 400 stores across 29 states, Ollie’s claims to offer savings up to 70% off retail prices. But is Ollie’s really cheaper than other stores? This comprehensive Ollie’s Bargain Outlet review will examine their pricing, quality, selection, and overall shopping experience to help you determine if it’s worth shopping there for the best deals.
Introduction
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is a large retail chain specializing in closeout, liquidation, and overstock items across a variety of product categories. Founded in 1982, Ollie’s has grown rapidly over the past decade to become one of the largest closeout retailers in the United States.
Ollie’s differentiates itself from other discount stores by stocking major brand name items at steep discounts. The Ollie’s slogan is “Good Stuff Cheap” and they advertise prices up to 70% off retail. With frequent new shipments of overstock merchandise, the selection is always changing.
We will take an in-depth look at the Ollie’s shopping experience, reviewing their prices, quality, selection, store layout, return policy, and more. Read on for a comprehensive Ollie’s Bargain Outlet review to learn if their famous bargains are worth checking out.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Pricing Review
The main draw of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is the incredibly low prices they can offer on brand name products. But are the discounts really as good as advertised? Here is an overview of Ollie’s unique pricing model and how their deals stack up against competitors:
How Ollie’s Gets Such Low Prices
Ollie’s buys overstock, closeout, and irregular merchandise from manufacturers and retailers at steep discounts. This allows them to acquire name brand products for a fraction of the wholesale price and sell at very low retail prices.
They also have lower operating costs than traditional retailers since their no-frills store layouts are set up in old warehouses or vacant retail spaces. With minimal decor and staffing, overhead costs are much lower compared to typical stores.
Price Comparison to Other Retailers
To assess their value claims, we compared Ollie’s prices on a range of name brand products against Walmart, Target, Amazon, and department stores.
- Household goods: Up to 50% cheaper than Walmart or Target on brands like Pyrex, Oxo, and Rubbermaid.
- Food: 20-30% cheaper on brand name snacks and drinks. Comparable discounts on frozen foods.
- Cosmetics: Up to 65% off department store prices for major brands like Maybelline, L’Oreal, and Revlon.
- Toys: 25-50% cheaper than major retailers for brands like Nerf, LEGO, and Playmobil.
- Furniture: 30-50% less than furniture stores for brands like Ashley Furniture and Best Home Furnishings.
- Small appliances: 40%+ discounts on brands like KitchenAid, Crockpot, and Farberware.
Based on this sampling, Ollie’s lives up to its slogan of “Good Stuff Cheap”, with some of the lowest retail prices available on brand name merchandise across categories. The deals are especially good for household items, toiletries, and toys.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Product Selection
In addition to rock-bottom pricing, Ollie’s also promises a frequently changing selection of name brand merchandise. Here is an overview of the assortment and inventory at Ollie’s:
Store Departments
Ollie’s stores are organized into the following major departments:
- Housewares – kitchen gadgets, appliances, cookware, dinnerware, cleaning supplies
- Food – packaged snacks, candy, frozen foods, refrigerated goods, baking ingredients
- Health & Beauty – oral care, soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, feminine products
- Books & Media – fiction, non-fiction, DVDs, CDs, video games
- Toys – outdoor toys, board games, stuffed animals, dolls, action figures
- Home Furnishings – furniture, rugs, lighting, decorative accessories
- Bed & Bath – bedding, bath towels, shower accessories
- Hardware – tools, storage solutions, paints
- Seasonal goods – holiday, garden, patio merchandise
- Pet supplies – food, toys, beds, treats
- Clothing & Shoes – mainly closeout apparel and footwear
Brand Names Carried
Ollie’s carries major national brands at closeout prices. Some examples include:
- Home goods: Pyrex, Instant Pot, Cuisinart, Yankee Candle, Rubbermaid, Farberware
- Food: Kellogg’s, Nabisco, Kraft, Nestle, Nature Valley, Frito-Lay
- Health & Beauty: Maybelline, L’Oreal, Revlon, Dove, Olay, Old Spice
- Media: Sony, Disney, Marvel, Call of Duty, Lego
- Toys: Nerf, Barbie, Fisher-Price, Playmobil, Playskool
- Furniture: Ashley Furniture, Best Home Furnishings, Hewitt, A pineapple
- Clothing: Nike, Under Armour, North Face, Columbia, Hurley, Levi’s
Inventory Turnover
A unique aspect of Ollie’s is their fast inventory turnover. New closeout merchandise arrives in stores weekly, so the selection is constantly changing. Shoppers can find new deals and undiscovered bargains each visit. This creates a treasure hunt shopping environment.
According to the company, Ollie’s sells merchandise within 6-9 months on average compared to 1.5-2 years at traditional retailers. This fast turnover helps keep their offerings fresh and exciting for deal-focused shoppers.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Shopping Experience
Beyond amazing deals on brand names, Ollie’s also aims to provide an entertaining shopping environment. Here is an overview of what to expect when visiting one of their warehouses:
Store Layout
Ollie’s stores are no-frills warehouses between 25,000 and 50,000 square feet located in former retail spaces or industrial buildings. Merchandise is tightly packed into rows of shelves, bins, pallets, and racks.
Some locations can feel cluttered, but signs organize the major store departments. The tight quarters create a treasure hunt atmosphere as you search for hidden gems.
Customer Service
Don’t expect attentive customer service at Ollie’s. Staffing is lean, so employees mainly focus on stocking, cashiering, and cleaning. The barebones approach keeps costs low. If you need help though, the cashiers are friendly.
Checkout Process
The checkout process at Ollie’s is fast but crowds can back up with only a few registers open. Having 6-10 items or less? Get in the express checkout line. Cash, credit, debit, EBT, and Ollie’s gift cards are accepted.
Ollie’s Army Fan Club
Join the Ollie’s Army Fan Club for free to earn rewards and discounts. Members get a $5 reward coupon on their birthday, exclusive sale sneak peeks, and random giveaways. An easy way to save even more on bargain buys.
Return Policy
Ollie’s straightforward return policy allows full refunds within 30 days with the original receipt. Opened electronics, appliances, and mattresses can only be exchanged for a like item. Food, health/beauty, and special order items cannot be returned. Overall, very reasonable.
Why Customers Love Ollie’s
Speaking to customers, the exciting treasure hunt atmosphere and unbelievable deals keep them coming back. As one shopper put it, “It’s my favorite place to shop because of the low prices and constant new arrivals. I can pop in any time and find amazing deals I can’t pass up.”
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet FAQ
If you’re considering shopping at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, you likely have a few questions about what the experience is like. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Ollie’s stores:
Is Ollie’s really as cheap as they advertise?
Yes, Ollie’s lives up to its “Good Stuff Cheap” slogan. Extensive price comparisons show they offer 50-70% off name brand items across nearly all departments. The crazy low prices are genuine.
Is the merchandise at Ollie’s lower quality?
No, the products are mainly excess overstock, not lower-grade quality. You’re getting real brand name items, just at steep discounts. Always inspect items closely for any damage though.
How often does Ollie’s get new inventory?
New merchandise arrives weekly to keep the selection fresh and exciting. Check often for new undiscovered bargains in every department.
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Can you return items to Ollie’s?
Yes, Ollie’s has a 30 day return policy. Food, health/beauty and special orders cannot be returned. Electronics and appliances can only be exchanged for a like item. Overall, returns are easy.
Does Ollie’s have coupons or accept competitor coupons?
No, Ollie’s does not issue paper coupons or take competitor coupons. The deals are already so low, additional coupons are not necessary. Join their free Army Fan Club for exclusive discounts by email.
How are the crowds at Ollie’s?
Due to the bargains, weekends can be busy at Ollie’s but weekdays are calmer. Try shopping early weekday mornings for the lightest crowds and freshly stocked shelves. New inventory deliveries also lure crowds.
Conclusion: Is Ollie’s Worth Shopping At?
Our in-depth Ollie’s Bargain Outlet review found their stores genuinely offer unmatched prices on brand name merchandise across every department. The constantly changing closeout inventory provides an exciting, treasure hunt shopping environment you can’t experience elsewhere.
While the no-frills warehouses are cluttered and lack amenities, the jaw-dropping deals make up for it. Ollie’s is perfect for bargain hunters looking to save 50-70% every day on household essentials, food, toys and more. Just check expiration dates and inspect items closely.
Overall, if you love finding unbelievable bargains on brand name products, Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is absolutely worth adding to your shopping rotation. The visit will be rewarding and surprisingly affordable every time. Happy bargain hunting!
