Buc-ee's has plenty of fans who love to get their famous brisket sandwich at the store or stop by to use the clean bathrooms. However, the retailer's locations still have flaws that cause roadblocks for tourists who want to fill up their tanks while on vacation or those who want to save money on essentials like snacks for a road trip.
You may think you're the only one with some problems with Buc-ee's, but you might not be alone when it comes to these problems that no one is discussing. Here are the top 10 issues to be aware of.
It's hard to find things
You might stop by thinking you can just grab some things from Buc-ee's and head back out.
But a simple run in the store can be challenging to find items because it's so big. Buc-ee's travel centers can be large, with hundreds of gas pumps and thousands of feet of retail space.
The retailer's location in Luling, Texas, is the largest convenience store in the world, with more than 75,000 square feet of space.
There are too many options
Buc-ee's is known for its great road trip snacks like beef jerky or fudge made in its stores.
The bad news is that you could end up staying at Buc-ee's longer than you thought, trying to figure out which flavors you want, as the store carries a whole wall of beef jerky flavors.
The store also carries over 20 fudge flavors with unique choices like red velvet, blueberry cheesecake, and birthday cake.
Truck drivers can't stop there
You might assume that the large Buc-ee's travel centers would be the perfect stop for truck drivers, but that's not true.
Buc-ee's doesn't even allow 18-wheeler trucks in its travel plazas, and some locations have driveways and parking lots that aren't designed to handle truck traffic.
There are too many people
Buc-ee's is a popular destination for drivers, but it also might be too popular.
Some locations have serious traffic issues that cause cars to back up onto major highways, while others just have too many people trying to shop inside. This makes it hard to navigate the store or leave shoppers standing in line for too long.
It's a tourist trap
You may think your local Buc-ee's is there to serve your community, but you may have trouble getting there because of all the tourists.
Buc-ee's has become a popular destination for tourists on road trips, which can make it harder for residents to use the gas or convenience store and cause them to choose to go somewhere else.
Fans take Buc-ee too seriously
Buc-ee's has found plenty of fans over the years who love to come to the store repeatedly to celebrate the retailer's beaver mascot.
Some customers travel to Buc-ee's to meet the beaver himself and take pictures with the mascot as they would with characters at theme parks. This can turn large crowds at the store, which can affect your shopping experience if you are in a rush.
Buc-ee's has too many clothing items
Buc-ee's has its own line of clothing, which attracts customers who are looking for closet staples or seasonal favorites.
The retailer carries items ranging from pajama pants and T-shirts with the Buc-ee the Beaver logo to special items like Halloween shirts, Christmas pants, and even swimsuits with the Buc-ee's logo.
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As retailers ramp up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, November offers some of the best opportunities to shop early, save big, and stay ahead of the holiday rush.
Drivers park at the pumps
Pumping gas can be so frustrating when a driver leaves their car parked at the pump to get snacks while you're waiting for them to move.
This task can be even harder when that driver is parked at a pump at Buc-ee's and goes inside to wander the large store for brisket and beef jerky without anyone outside to ask them to move to a parking space.
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It's not cheap
You might expect a travel stop to have affordable food and drinks, but you could be in for a shock the first time you wander the aisles of Buc-ee's.
Some shoppers are surprised by how expensive items are, with one Reddit user describing it as cheap gas and fountain drinks but saying, "You pay through the nose" after that.
Quick tips: How to travel or dine out without going broke
Thoughtful planning can help you maximize your travel experience without draining your wallet. Here are some tips on how to balance your adventure with a budget:
- Visit restaurants during happy hour or lunch for lower prices
- Use cashback dining apps like Seated or credit cards with travel/dining rewards
- Use price comparison tools like Hopper or Google Flights to track airfare drops
- Book accommodations with kitchens to prepare some meals yourself
You never know where your most memorable moments will come from. So consider both the emotional and financial value of an experience to find the things that are truly worth your money.
It's chaotic
Some fans may enjoy the chaos of the Buc-ee's experience, while others might tolerate it for the clean bathrooms.
But it can be a frustrating experience when you don't plan and prepare yourself to deal with the traffic, the long lines, or long waits for some fresh brisket as you try to stretch your fast food budget.
Bottom line
Buc-ee's is a fan favorite for road trips or just stopping by your local spot for snacks.
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FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment.
Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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