See what I got in a $3 Retail Rush mystery box
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The storefront of Retail Rush, which opened Nov. 14. Photos: Alissa Widman Neese
As Axios Columbus' official bargain-shopping beat reporter, I recently visited Retail Rush to see how it works.
Driving the news: It's the latest bin store to open locally, in Northland.
- The modest storefront inside a former Big Lots is anchored by online auctions, and its website says this is the first of more planned locations.
The intrigue: The store contains rows and rows of merchandise that isn't sold in person. When bidders win auctions, that's where they pick up their items.
- I'm guessing electronics are a big draw, as I saw several name-brand big-screen TVs.
Zoom in: I poked around the few available in-person bins, but nothing caught my eye.
- That's because many boxes aren't labeled — and you aren't allowed to open them.
It was $3 Tuesday, so I bought one unmarked, medium-sized box just to see what I got.
- I opened it in my car … and out popped artificial pink flowers.
- It was surprisingly on brand, considering I plucked it from a sea of mismatched car parts, Halloween costumes and adult diapers.
The bottom line: I still prefer the Goodwill Outlet bins and other traditional thrift stores.
- While those items are used, it's better than gambling with unmarked boxes and changing pricing schedules.
Yes, but: I'm intrigued by Thursdays, when you can fill a bag for just $10.
Stop by: Noon-7pm Tuesday-Friday, 10am-7pm Saturday. 4645 Morse Centre Road.
Go deeper: Columbus bin stores boom as shoppers chase bargains
