In the continual quest to get more bang for your buck, you may be drawn to the dollar store for items you’ve been buying elsewhere. You can definitely save money shopping at dollar stores for some items but, as with many things in life, pay attention or the deal might not seem so sweet later.
Photo: Deposit Photos
Not-just-a-dollar store
Not everything in a dollar store is priced at $1. In fact, in some, more than 70% of the merchandise costs more. On the other hand, chains like Family Dollar not only take manufacturers’ coupons, but also produce their own in-store coupons, so savvy shoppers can really save on many name-brand items.
I’m sometimes amazed at what I find at Dollar Tree. Where else could I find a pink tutu and a “rhinestone”-studded crown for a 2-year old princess for a buck each? Dollar stores are among the best sources for low-cost greeting cards, gift wrap and bags, party decorations and office supplies.
Here are some tips for making the best of dollar store shopping:
Check the quantity
One reason dollar stores can sell products at a discount is that items are packaged in smaller quantities. That means the box of aluminum foil may contain 20 square feet instead of 200. I recently found a box of M & M peanuts in single-serving packets. In my haste I didn’t notice that the familiar yellow package weighed only 3.74 ounces. That meant each of the six individual packets weighed just six-tenths of an ounce and held just eight candies. That may be good if you’re dieting, but not if you need a chocolate fix.
I also found those “cracker sandwiches” that fill many lunchboxes in the same green, blue and tan cellophane wrap as other Lance products at less than half the price I pay at my supermarket. Only when I got home did I notice the individual packets held four crackers each instead of the usual six. A look at the fine print revealed it weighed 5.7 ounces, not the 10 ounces of the supermarket size.
Check the quality
As dollar stores seek to compete, most are stocking shelves with brand-name items, but are they the same? Familiar brands may come in unfamiliar sizes. That can be a good thing. A $1 tube of Colgate toothpaste weighed three ounces, smaller than the “normal” six ounces, but perfect for the TSA’s three-ounce limit on toiletries — and a better deal than the teensy “travel size” tubes you get for 99 cents. Another example: Nature Valley Granola Bars were just $1 per box, but the box had only four bars, not the usual 12. If you’re single, that could be an advantage.
Take care with unknown entities
If you’re unfamiliar with a product, buy just one to see if it’s really the deal you think it is before stocking up. I bought a six-pack of raisins for $1, an apparent good deal. But the raisins were very small and a bit stale.
Pay attention to labels
It might not matter to you if the food you’re buying is from Timbuktu, but it’s good to know the origin before you purchase. And while some food items have seemingly attractive prices, some come from countries that might surprise. I’ve found raisins from Argentina, not the expected California. Another package said the item was from “the U. S., South Africa and/or Chile.” One familiar brand of toothpaste was produced in Mexico and another in England.
Buy nonperishables when you see them
It pays to buy right away. At some dollar stores, the turnover is fast and items you see today may be gone tomorrow.
Products to avoid
Avoid small toys and anything with a cord and electric plug. According to Consumer Reports magazine, many dollar stores continue to stock cheaply made toys that could pose a choking hazard, especially for young children. And, though, the selection is getting better, items you need to plug in may not be up to U.S. standards and pose a fire risk.
Medication is another fuzzy area. Products like pain relievers or vitamins may have looming expiration dates or not contain the labeled ingredients.
If you liked this article, you may also like:
- Can Costco save you money?
- How to save with a BJ’s Wholesale Club membership
- 7 purchases that pay for your Costco membership
- How to save on prescriptions
- Save money with a freezer-meal party
- Secrets to saving at high-end food stores
- Save time, money with less extreme couponing
- Train yourself to say ‘no’ to impulse buys
These are great tips. I have also found some good deals at the Dollar Stores. I think that it all depends on what product you are looking for and what you plan on doing with the product. Thanks for the information.
Thank you for this article. I have always wondered if its okay to buy eatables like cookies, candies which are not from a familiar brand from dollar store. Now I understand that there might be quality issues if its not a familiar brand…the article reaaly helped…thanks once again
Sometimes at my dollar tree I find things like tights and I always buy them when I see them because tights are expensive.
I also like buying books and nail polish (two bottles of sally hanson for a buck).
I don’t buy much food at the dollar tree because its right next to a discount grocery store.
There’s an opinion that buying pregnancy tests at the 99 cent store is a good deal. You can buy 10 of them if you don’t really trust the quality and still pay less than you would for a name brand.
Produce can be great if you happen to get there on delivery day. I’ve done well at Dollar Tree with party decorations, and goody bag toys (and the bags themselves), and party paper goods and tablecloths at the 99 cent store. Party supplies come out to be much cheaper than at the party stores, Target, or Smart and Final.
This article needs updating, Dollar Tree is no longer $1. Most stores have already or are in the process of switching to $1.25. Many stores also have a section with $3, $5 & $10 items. So certain items may not be as good of a deal anymore.
Hi, Rebekah! You’re correct; Dollar Tree has changed its policies and its cheapest items are now $1.25. We’ll update the article.
Always check the expiration dates!