Bins Stores Rise to Popularity During High Inflation

As inflation continues to climb, consumers across the country are searching for ways to stretch their dollar. The rising costs of everyday goods have led to the increasing popularity of bin stores, where savvy shoppers can find overstock and returned items at bargain prices. One of the largest and most popular bin stores in Oklahoma is MetroMerch in Oklahoma City. Known for its unbeatable deals, MetroMerch has become a go-to shopping destination for locals.

People shopping at MetroMerchPhoto byMetroMerch

How a Bin Store Works

MetroMerch gets overstock and returned items from retail giants like Amazon, Target, and Sam’s Club. These high-quality products are placed in large bins, and shoppers are invited to search through them to find hidden treasures. The store follows a unique pricing model, with prices decreasing each day of the week.

• Friday is the big day when the bins are freshly restocked, and every item is just $7.

• Saturday drops prices to $5.

• By Wednesday, shoppers can score items for as low as $.50 each before the store closes early to restock for the next round of deals.

• Priced merchandise area with items 40-50% of retail prices.

Shoppers line up as early as 6 a.m.—well before the store opens its doors at 10 a.m.—hoping to be first in line to get their hands on the latest batch of merchandise. It’s like Black Friday every week!

Melissa garcia in her new rolePhoto byConsumerQueen

MetroMerch’s Rise in Popularity

MetroMerch has become more than just a store—it’s a community. Local blogger Melissa Garcia, founder of ConsumerQueen.com, has been shopping at MetroMerch since 2022. Her love for the store inspired her to create a Facebook group called Oklahoma Bin Stores MetroMerch, where members post their weekly finds, share tips, and celebrate their best deals. The group quickly gained popularity, and it wasn’t long before MetroMerch owner Tim Metrovich took notice.

In a turn of events that Melissa calls a “dream come true,” she was hired as MetroMerch’s Social Media Marketing Manager. Now, she gets paid for something she already loves doing—shopping at one of her favorite stores. Melissa’s enthusiasm for MetroMerch has helped bring even more attention to the store, which has seen a growing number of new customers eager to join the hunt for deals.

Shoppers inside MetroMerchPhoto byMelissa Garcia /ConsumerQueen.com

Why Bin Stores Like MetroMerch Are So Popular

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, the cost of household goods has skyrocketed. Nine categories of household items have seen prices increase by over 20%, with household paper products leading the way at a staggering 30.8% price hike. With inflation squeezing household budgets, more and more shoppers are turning to bin stores like MetroMerch to save money.

2 ladies shopping at MetromerchPhoto byMetroMerch

What are Customers Saying

MetroMerch isn’t just about saving money—it’s about finding unexpected treasures and turning them into something special. Long-time customer Kathy Tomlinson shared her experience, saying,

“I go weekly and purchase so much. Mostly items for decorating charity events at first. Now my backyard is paradise with all the solar lighting, and my home is filled with beautiful treasures. I have picked up many toys in preparation for the needy kids at Christmas. My church will also have a beautifully decorated annual Christmas party. Not only are bin items very cost-efficient, but the specialty aisles are so well priced. I’ve bought space heaters for winter freezes, vacuums, decor, electronics, a great BBQ station, and more. The staff is also above and beyond in helping and kindness.”

Another customer, Lisa Warren, highlighted how MetroMerch has become a regular stop for her family.

“We started coming to MetroMerch Oklahoma City about a year ago. I had never been to a bin store before and had no idea what to expect. The staff has always been super friendly and helpful. Our family has gotten so many amazing deals here. We don’t want to shop anywhere else—for anything! In today’s economy, this place is heaven-sent for so many people. You pay a fraction of the price of chain stores or Amazon. They have a huge variety!”

2 people shopping inside MetroMerchPhoto byMetroMerch

Plan Your Visit to MetroMerch

MetroMerch’s weekly schedule allows shoppers to plan their trips based on the deals they want to score. Here’s how the pricing breaks down:

• Friday: $7 Bin Merch | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Restocked!)

• Saturday: $5 Bin Merch | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Restocked!)

• Sunday: $3 Bin Merch | 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

• Monday: $2 Bin Merch | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

• Tuesday: $1 Bin Merch | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

• Wednesday: $.50 Bin Merch | 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

• Thursday: Closed for restocking

MetroMerch also offers clothing at unbeatable prices—$4 on Fridays and Saturdays, dropping to just $3 from Sunday through Wednesday.

Family shopping at MetroWearPhoto byMetroWear Tulsa

Tim Metrovich, the owner of MetroMerch, has expanded his reach by opening a new clothing store in Tulsa, Oklahoma, called MetroWear, where shoppers can score name-brand clothing for just $7 and name-brand shoes for only $10.

The store offers an unbeatable pricing structure—your first piece of clothing is $7, the second piece is $6, and every additional item is just $5!

Located at 5124 S Harvard Ave, Tulsa, OK, this store has quickly become a favorite for bargain hunters looking to refresh their wardrobes without breaking the bank. Exciting news for shoppers in the Oklahoma City area: MetroWear will be opening a new location in South Oklahoma City later this year!

MetroMerch is located at 1648 SW 89th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73159. If you haven’t checked it out yet, now is the perfect time to see what all the excitement is about and start scoring deals for yourself!

MetroMerch also has another location in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma at 3301 S Elm Pl, Broken Arrow, OK 74012