I bought a Rowenta iron for $20 at Big Lots. That thing leaked so bad it would not hold any water. I returned it to the store but they refused to take it back since I didn't have the receipt. That was my first experience with Big Lots so that's when I learned that they take in "refurbished" appliances. So I've learned to read the boxes carefully but won't buy any appliances there anymore.
It goes back to the saying "if it looks too good to be true, it usually isn't". Never dreamed a store would sell defective items though.