Do dollar stores save you money? Yes, in many cases they do. But there are also things you need to be aware of (and avoid) at dollar stores according to the Palm Beach Post Some things they highlight:
"You can find some great bargains at dollar stores. If you want to save some money, there is a way to do it if you shop for the right things. Be careful what you buy," said Donald Mays, senior director of product safety at Consumer Reports.
Mays said he has safety concerns over some of the products dollar stores sell, especially with small toys and party favors for children, such as small inflatable whistles.
Mays said some vitamins and supplements sold at dollar stores don't contain the right level of ingredients. Don't be fooled by knockoffs using similar label colors and logos, such as brown and yellow labels that resemble Bayer Aspirin, he said.
He also advises against buying brand knock-offs such as "Dinacell" batteries or anything electrical such as an extension cord or lamp. Some holiday string lights melted in tests Consumer Reports conducted, Mays said.
When purchasing anything electrical, look for a legitimate safety certification UL label mark, a gold foil tag on the cord with a holographic image of the UL mark, Mays said. Other approved certification marks include ETL or ETL Listed and CSA.
Watch out for the "treasure hunt" mood that overtakes many shoppers when they hit Dollar Tree. Instead of purchasing just the $5 worth of shampoo, sponges and paper towels they came for, shoppers might be snagged by something unexpected, such as the "in-store item of the week."
Sometimes, Dollar Tree doesn't offer the best value. For example, small quantities in packages of some items make the price per item higher than at Publix Super Markets, Walmart and other retailers.
We don't do a ton of shopping at dollar stores. They tend to be junky IMO and are not located conveniently for us. That said, when we need something cheap and/or disposable in large quantities -- like frames for pictures of our basketball team (which we purchased 35 of a few months ago) -- it's hard to beat them on price.
What's your take on dollar stores? Good, bad, or somewhere in between?
Great place to pick up card for any occasion. I have picked up plastic table cloths, some disposable items like bowls and things for prarties.
But I agree that 99% of the stuff is junk. I would prefer to shop target owr walmart.
Posted by: Matt | June 25, 2011 at 07:24 AM
For my pound stores are great (I live in the UK). I tend to buy brand shampoo and conditioner there, and have occasionally bought unexpected things (a new case for my camera, some sweets), you do have to be careful with some things but if you buy the right stuff you save a lot, it's just if you spend all the savings on junk, or worse, more than your savings, that you lose out.
Posted by: Rose | June 25, 2011 at 07:26 AM
I would do as you would do, picture frames sounds safe.
I don't buy toys there because I don't trust the plastic used. I think the plastic could have residue on it that would make it very unhealthy for kids (just my take though, no evidence)...
I also don't buy any silverware like spoons there either!
Posted by: Money Reasons | June 25, 2011 at 07:48 AM
As with any store like these or Costco, knowing prices and how to buy can save you a lot of money.
I had a haul there that were things for my workshop. Safety goggles, sandpaper, a few other items. Added up, it would have cost 4X at Home Depot. More than that, a round trip to HD is $4 in gas, so stopping in a Dollar store that I'm passing can feel "free" if I find one or two items I know I'll need.
Posted by: JoeTaxpayer | June 25, 2011 at 08:12 AM
We buy very little at dollar stores. Between the quality and the amount of unnecessary items they carry we don't stop there often. I do sometimes buy greeting cards ($.50 at Dollar Tree).
Posted by: Mary Kay | June 25, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Bought toothpaste there once and we all ended up w/sores in our mouths, so don't trust the ingredients; do like party/holiday supplies and greeting cards, though.
Posted by: Holly | June 25, 2011 at 09:06 AM
We definitely stay away from Dollar Stores. The items are typically less than stellar quality and we always end up with the "It's only a dollar so we can buy a lot" mentality, and leave the store spending a lt more than we ever intended. For our time and money, the dollar stores are NOT a good idea.
Posted by: STRONGside | June 25, 2011 at 09:47 AM
I'm judicious in how I use the Dollar Tree. I buy "theater sized" candy for my Spree-loving husband, greeting cards for sure, wrapping paper/gift bags and the like. I've found it's also great for coloring books and workbooks for the kids. Our Wal-Mart is a bit of a drive, so Dollar Tree has the best value on those paper goods. You can get mylar and regular balloons at ours, which is nice for a party. I hear from the fertility boards I frequent that pregnancy tests there work fine, but so far, I haven't tried one.
I stay away from the food, unless it is a name brand I like; for example, I got boxes of Fiber One granola bars last time I went. Not bad for $1!
Posted by: Jana H | June 25, 2011 at 11:40 AM
We shop occasionally, but use the same rules as we would elsewhere. Is this an item that would really enrich our lives? For what time period? Is the quality good enough?
Our favorite dollar store purchases are small baskets around Easter for storage of washcloths, summer water toys that likely would not have lasted the season anyway and I found a really nice pair of kid's Fiskar scissors that you can customize with a name. The button cell batteries at ours are the same brand (Energizer) as everywhere else and would be a good buy.
Posted by: Leia | June 25, 2011 at 11:46 AM
I pretty much only buy office supplies and cards. Got $1 super glue, glue gun, and large envelopes; each would cost >$5 at Office Depot. But I only go when I'm in the area and have a shopping list.
If it goes on or in the body, I don't even trust the brand-name products there, as they may be knock-offs or rejects. Holly mentioned toothpaste. Over the past several year were numerous articles about toothpaste made in China that contained diethylene glycol (antifreeze). Most sold in dollar -type stores. (google "toxic tooth paste made in China")
Posted by: KaseyD | June 25, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Shopping at dollar stores is a great way to build a home emergency kit. You just have to be careful that you buy stuff that will actuall work if disaster strikes (test it out before hand). Other than that, I love sifting through the bargin DVD bins to find some great movies on the cheap.
Posted by: Brent | June 25, 2011 at 11:51 AM
Greeting cards or pictures frame are about the only thing I'd purchase. I've also picked up a cheap vase or lawn decorations before too.
I wouldn't purchase food or makeup or anything that goes in or on my body though.
Posted by: kjaxx | June 25, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I go there to buy things like empty spray bottles for my cleaners, wrapping supplies and stickers for the kids. Nothing that I intend to keep for long, or I feel is worth spending money on.
Posted by: Angie | June 25, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Gift bags (even the huge ones) are a fantastic deal at Dollar Tree, along with greeting cards. Party invitations in an 8 or 10-pack, ditto. The mylar balloons for $1 would cost me at least $5 at Price Chopper. I do purchase some shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste there, also. Food is not typically a good deal, and I avoid cleaning supplies, too. For my mother's 80th birthday party (which, as it turns out, was her last birthday), we found a tiara, a glitzy necklace with matching ring, a birthday banner for her room at the nursing home, bottles of bubbles, horns, and of course the mylar balloons which we tied to her wheelchair for the parade across the street to the restaurant. She was never inside a Dollar Tree herself, but she had more fun with all the trinkets we got for her big day! I am a fan, but as with Sam's or Costco or any other store, you have to know your prices, and be selective.
Posted by: Katy McKenna | June 25, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Dollar stores are just like shopping anywhere else, buyer beware.
Posted by: Lurker Carl | June 25, 2011 at 09:22 PM
Cosmetics and toothpaste can be had in brand names at Dollar Tree. Their toothbrushes are fine. I've also found their furniture polish and cleaning liquids (for floor) to be good. Even the watch batteries at 8 or 10 in a package have worked as long as brand names. I might find a couple in a package don't work, but at that price who cares.
Posted by: Bruce | June 25, 2011 at 09:50 PM
I love Dollar Tree. I use it as often as I am near one. I buy bottles, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, books, candy, candles, and my favorite, the 13 gal trash bags with handles. I do now buy some food - name brand - that I have seen recommended on other frugal sites.
And it was great when I worked. Each year I gave about 65-100 Christmas gifts. I would get a new container each year and fill it with silly little trinkets. One year I got our doctors the small cars that were BMW, Rolls Royce, Cadillac, etc. It was the thought that counted.
My only advice - take advantage of all the savings you can, just be judicious in what you buy.
Posted by: Georgia | June 26, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Tissue paper is an absolute steal at the dollar store. If you do any gift wrapping that involves this, a trip to the dollar store is worth it for sure.
Posted by: Money Beagle | June 27, 2011 at 09:00 AM
We had a dollar store and a Walmart in the same shopping center together in the last town we lived in and found that the Walmart consistently beat dollar store prices by at least a couple cents for the vast majority of items we were looking to buy. It basically wasn't worth the effort to got to both.
Posted by: No Debt MBA | June 27, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Lot's of chinese crap is at the dollar store.
Posted by: YoungLimey | June 27, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Some of the stuffs are real cheap at the dollar store. However, we have to judicious on what we are buying. Sometimes the local grocers carry more discount than the dollar store. I agree with the post with respect to lamp. I had a very bad experience. I was looking for some decoration lighting and ended up wasting my money. Instead of buying those lamps, I could have bought chandeliers.
Posted by: Larry Lampson | August 13, 2011 at 09:34 PM