Deal Smart

Hmmm… I was torn trying to decide what rating to give Deal Smart. I like Deal Smart a lot. It’s very close to where I live and there are lots of good deals to be had. However not everything in the store is a good deal, so you should be discerning about their offerings.
The stock changes a lot. Check the front of the store for seasonal things because they are a good bet– stuff like outdoor furniture, gardening supplies, games and Christmas stuff.
Beware of paper products, They are definitely not a good deal here. You can get toilet paper and paper towel cheaper at Walgreen’s. Outside of seasonal decorating stuff, I’ve never found their household decorating items to be of good quality or price.
The bakery area has excellent stock and prices and breads and English muffins are something I frequently buy here. They are always fresh and much cheaper than at Cub or Target. Say what you will about Roma Pizzas, but my college-​age son loves him a pizza that costs $ 1.89 each so I stock up when I’m here.
I’ve found some of the best deals on small appliances. I bought a brand name toaster and hair dryer here for far better prices than Target.
I also like their selection of personal care products– I got a giant bottle of really good shampoo for less than $ 4.00 (my hair loves the stuff!) and a very large bottle of skin lotion for $ 3.50 that should last me all winter. They seem to get overstock from Costco as the Kirkland brand is often seen at Deal Smart and Kirkland products are excellent.
As far as their clothing selection… well, I’ve bought socks but not much else here. Most of the women’s clothing seems to be rejects from Marshall’s and other discount stores. Basically, a lot of junk. However, my boyfriend has found some consistently good men’s cold weather undergarments, sweaters and a really nice jacket here, so YMMV. Don’t go in expecting to find women’s clothes you’d find a Second Debut or other consignment stores.
They have a good selection of decent fishing gear and basic tools.
Customer service is generally good but never overly friendly.
They have a «rewards» program if you can call it that– spend $ 100 and get a coupon for 10% off.
Really, my rating would be 3.5 stars if it were available because I like this store. However you need to be aware of what you’d normally pay for most everything else at other stores, so you know whether or not you’re actually getting a good deal.

Leave it to J to spot a «Deal» sign from a mile away. We were headed to the Dollar Store to get some cheapo batteries for a toy and wound up stumbling across this place.
Quite the interesting store. There was a sign that said something like, «Around every corner is a treasure». Another treasure trove of cheap discount items mixed in with regular brand items that seem more expensive than at one of the bix box store. I saw a 4 pak of toilet paper for almost $ 4.00– discount really?
The place has a lot of different stuff. A wall of shoes, clothing racks, towels, cheap dollar store stuff, fishing poles. It’s just an interesting blend of merchandise. All kinds of odds and ends, overstocks, failed products and what it seems like products that are there as a final resting place.
I try not to be a discount store snob, but there are certain things I would probably not buy. Namely food. Some of the off shoot brands make me wonder where the hell they found the stuff. There was something in its package that looked like it had been there for awhile. I couldn’t even identify what it was. Maybe it was supposed to look like that. It was sitting right by the Saskwatch beef sticks. I always find the off shoot brands kind of funny anyway. Instead of Pepsi you could end up with Popsi. Instead of Hamburger Helper, try Hamburger Amigo or Captain Crunk… Not that this place had any of that, but I wouldn’t doubt it.
I did find one thing that I thought was cool. If anyone watched last seasons Celebrity Apprentice where the teams redesigned the 7UP packaging; the store had a big pallet of the two designs of 7UP 12 packs, so we picked up a case. I always forget about 7UP. Damn it, if the marketers and media didn’t get to me.
J thought the place was cool, but he loves places like this and loves a good deal. I may swing back through sometime.
People working there seemed nice and helpful enough.