Dollar Stores are great for a lot of things, but there are quite a few that you shouldn’t buy at one. For some, it’s a price issue, for others it’s a quality issue. Either way, a surefire way to lose money would be purchasing any of these items to never buy at the dollar store.
20 Items to Never Buy at the Dollar Stores
Aluminum Foil – Ever bring home a tube of foil only to find out that it’s so flimsy you have to use it three times more because it keeps ripping? Welcome to a dollar store purchase. Instead, pick up the name-brand foil. You’ll pay more but you’ll use less meaning you save in the long run. Watch Amazon you can score some great deals on aluminum foil.
Meats – Yes, some dollar stores sell meats. While it is easier on the bank account does it really make sense? Less quality and smaller portions could lead you to buy more than you normally would. Use my article on how to save on meats before you purchase from the dollar store.
Electronics – A lot of the time, electronics and appliances that the dollar stores are selling are units that are labeled as seconds or are badly refurbished units. Instead, head to a reputable big box store or a site like Amazon and buy your electronics from there.
Batteries – These just don't seem to last as long as the brand names ones.
School Supplies – The lists are coming in from teachers and you want to buy all the things to help them and that is amazing of you, but don't do it at the dollar store. The quality is horrible for the most part and you will find yourself buying double or triple what you normally would. Read this article on How to save on back to school to save the most.
Makeup – sometimes there is a rare occasion you get brand name makeup from the dollar store. However, 9 times out of 10 it's an off-brand you really know nothing about. Do you really want that on your face?
Vitamins– As much as you may want to ignore it, a large portion of dollar store items are shipped from outside of the US, and in some cases that can include vitamins and medicine. Since the FDA doesn’t regulate vitamins, it’s best to skip them at the dollar store. You don’t know for sure what you’d be getting and when it comes to putting something in your body, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Related: 7 Best Things to Buy At The Dollar Store
Oven Mitts & Kitchen Towels – If you’ve ever bought them at the dollar store, you know that they’re going to last you exactly one or two washes. You’ll spend more money by buying cheap than if you were to buy quality and pay more out of pocket.
Knives – Good knives are not found at the dollar store. You will spend more replacing chape knives than if you simply purchase a good knife set that will last you years.
Toilet Paper – if you enjoy the go now, don't buy cheap toilet paper. Just saying 🙂
Jewelry – unless it's for a costume, skip this.
Kitchen Utensils – perfect for a gathering you just need for the day and toss but not realistic for the long term. Spend the money and get good quality utensils.
Bath linens – Bath towels and washcloths at the dollar store are smaller and thinner than their more expensive counterparts. Instead, watch Kohl’s or Macys for sales and coupon codes and you can pick up quality ones for around the same price.
Pet Food – Love your pets more than dollar store food. The ingredients are generally less quality and won't provide the proper nutrition for your fur babies.
Wrapping Paper – I'm not sure what you are wrapping with this but it has to be small. The mega rolls from just about anywhere else are your better option for more for your money.
Toys – While the dollar stores are full of affordable toys, most of them are very cheaply made and won’t last past one play. The last thing any Mom wants is heartbroken kiddo whose new toy just broke. Instead, check online sites like Amazon for great deals or troll the clearance aisle at Walmart. You’ll get better-quality toys for just a few dollars more.
Related: How to Save Money by Buying These 10 Things at the Dollar Store
Wind Shield Washer Fluid – The jugs you get at a dollar store are super small. For more bang for your buck get a regular size jug that is generally more than double the dollar store ones.
Tools and Hardware – Ever paid attention to a dollar store hammer? They’ve got a thinner neck which means it won’t take much to break that thinner hammer neck right in half. Instead, watch for deals on quality tools and get your money’s worth.
Sunscreen – If you are an avid user of sunscreen this is not something to mess with. Your skin will thank you for not going cheap here.
Paper Towels – these are more quicker-thrower-awayer than quicker picker-upper.
Hair Ties – the elastic just doesn't hold up and if you have thick hair – good luck.
Food Storage Containers – most are low quality and split after a few uses.
The dollar stores are full of deals that are great, but these seven items will only have you spending more in the long run. Steer clear of them and you’ll be sure to get a much better deal even though you might spend a bit more at first.
Gotta disagree on the dish towels I have some that I bought at the dollar store over a year ago and they are just fine. I do agree with everything else, especially the aluminum foil. I would also add freezer bags since you only get 5 to 8 in a pack and do not seal like name brands and your food will freezer burn, costing you money. Their shipping tape is also crap, it splits and is almost impossible to use if you happen to let it slip and have to search for the end. Also their plastic food containers can sometimes split after one use.
The dish towels I have bought before don’t soak up water they just spread it around, I know they get different brands and types in all the time but I have had bad luck with them.
I agree!
Agree with all but toilet paper isa no no. I bought Charmintwice where 2 rolls were charming quality the rest of the 12 pack was cheap hard toilet paper. I do not buy toilet tissue or cosmetics at the dollar store. They are cheaper for coffee, filters and hot chocolate.
My Dollar Store oven mitts served me well for a very long time, so I guess, I was lucky. As for food containers, Ziploc brand, that I got at Target were horrible- lids broke on some after just ONE use.
I would add wrapping paper! It is so cheap and flimsy that you can hardly cut it and wrinkles super easily.
I just bought some great wrapping paper from our local Dollar Tree. One roll was My Little Pony and the exact same stuff my Mom paid $6 for at another store. I also bought Disney Princess wrapping that is good quality as well.
I think it depends on what you end up getting. I get the dollar store aluminum foil all the time and it’s just fine – as are the kitchen towels, dish cloths, hot pads/pot holders, and oven mitts I bought. I’ve been using the oven mitts I got at the dollar store for 3 years now.
I agree with Krista and dropofrain. I’ve got oven mitts and kitchen towels that I’ve had for several years. They have held up very well. I would not recommend buying large black garbage bags. They need to be over 1 mil. thick. Most of theirs are .65 to .85 mil.
I also disagree with the oven mitts as I’ve been using the same dollar store ones for over a year. I will add that dollar store trash bags are crap as they always rip and are smaller than they say they are.
Oven mitts i bought caught fire on the very first time i used it
I also buy all my dish towels and oven mitts at the dollar store and they last for years. But I definitely agree with the foil and some of the other items mentioned.
I buy the aluminum foil sheets from dollar tree and they are wonderful.
I agree, but only the Reynold’s brand ones, not the larger generic ones, the bigger ones are of poorer quality. EVERYONE needs to try the Reynold’s pop up foil sheets!
I buy Dollar Tree pot holders & dish cloths because I like to replace them fairly often because they get stained. I don’t feel bad throwing away a pot holder that only cost 50 cents.
I believe that it depends on the dollar store. I buy dish towel, mitts,aluminum foil, and some tools from dollar tree. I haven’t had any problems but if I get them from other dollar stores I do. I agree on the toys.
I agree but I also get good dishcloths at the dollar store. Each store is different. But I don’t ever buy food at the dollar store. Makeup and body lotions are always the cheap kind
I often buy food at the Dollar Tree. Love their instant coffee from Mexico. Some of their cookies (shame!) are to die for, and if you call it food, they have brand name chips and pretzels. Canned fruit is good. I wouldn’t go the whole hog before trying one can of something, though. Often buy their frozen foods. Read labels on EVERYTHING in these stores, and make your own decisions.
I think it really depends on which 99¢ store you go to. There’s a Dollar Tree by my house that has a lot of good quality items. For example, in their housewares section, hey sell kitchen gadgets made by Betty Crocker. I bought a can opener, colander & a cheese grater a few years ago that I still use constantly today. There is one definite item you should NEVER buy from a 99¢ store (I learned this one the hard way)û….TRASH BAGS. The biggest box only has about 13, and you usually have to use 2-3 at a time to make one good strong bag. You’re just better off spending that extra $1-2 bucks more and buying the higher quality bags
I buy dish towels and Betty Crocker utensils there and never have any problem. That is Dollar Tree. I never buy food there.
I would add hair elastics to this list. They snap or stretch out easily or aren’t strong enough to stay in your hair. I would recommend spending a little extra and buying them at the drug store.
Hello folks. I have been reading the posts and find there is a LARGE need for clarification. A Dollar Store is not the same as a Dollar Tree store. This is especially true where I live in Indiana.
A Dollar Store carries name brand items (Ziplock, charmin , Kleenex, etc.) and their own brand as well. The prices are the same or similar to Walmart. I must be very cost aware to shop there. It is the same mindset when buying items at Walmart vs. Sam’s Club. Always know your prices. Target is in a league of its own. I went there a few weeks ago looking to see if their prices had gotten any better. NOPE! to expensive for me; who is on a fixed income. Dollar Tree is as advertised. Everything is a dollar or even less (poster board).
I buy the Aluminum foil sheets, I’ve never had a problem with them.
We have 3 national chains. Dollar General, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree is my go-to. I jave been in a bind on vacations and forgot to bring things with me. I have bought socks, medicine, plastic bowls and products, cleaning supplies and ESPECIALLY food. I used to buy Mount Olive Pickles for a dollar a bottle. Then they moved to our local stores and now go for over 3 bux a bottle. They did not change the bottle size just the price. And frozen foods!!! OMG…check it out…all sorts of brand names. I got chicken in the freezer section and it was great. When you get destitute because of a job lost you will find out real quick what a gold mine these places are. And as far as Aluminum foil. They started selling name brand high quality Reynolds wrap. It gets me thru until I go to Costco or Sams and buy those 10 lb 1000 foot rolls. Geez people…Dollar stores are saviors for people on a budget. Or an emergency. And I still wear those socks I bought on vacation 4 years ago..not every week but the are still good
There is one more item that I know of for sure. Never buy a toothbrush.
I bought one once and had bristles coming loose in my mouth. I started to
gag and almost vomited. Never bought another one at the Dollar Store.
I have to disagree. I use non name brand aluminum foil and it works amazing. I never have to use more than what I would use from the name brand product. Also, I’ve had kitchen mitts, oven pads, and kitchen towels works amazing. I’ve had my set over 3 years now, you can imagine how many washes it has seen. I guess it all depends on the batch you get of something is where you could be coming from and that is something one of the workers told me too.
I agree with most of the items you say to not buy but with one exception. I buy there plastic reusable containers and they last forever. I have about a dozen right now that I have had for over a year. I buy the ones that are thicker plastic. Our Dollar store has bread and rolls and at 1.25 it is a great deal.