What's to love -- and not -- about dollar stores
Posted Mar 29 2008, 03:38 PM by Karen Datko Rating: Filed under: savings, Karen Datko, groceries, health, shopping, retail
If you track the blogosphere, it seems that the popularity of the humble dollar store is soaring, and that these stores aren't as humble as they used to be.

Imagine this: The extremely picky "Mrs. Badger" at Lipstick is my Crack has even switched from body wash to bar soap because she found soaps she loves at the dollar store.

"Yeah! It's not all Irish Spring and Lifebuoy up in there anymore, y'all! And it's not all no-name generic soaps made out of battery acid and bacon grease (I just made that up; don't e-mail me) anymore, either," she writes.

In fact, the august New York Times, which caters to a crowd that can hardly be called frugal, featured writer Henry Alford's experiment to incorporate items from 99-cent stores into his cooking, culminating with a dinner featuring only such fare. It sounded delicious.

But not everyone is thrilled with the food and other common dollar store products.

FIRE Finance recently gushed about 10 top dollar store buys, but added, "We are suspicious about the quality of food, and the alloys as well as silicones of the kitchenware sold at these stores. So as a policy we never purchase edible stuff or anything that has to do with cooking or food from them." To this, we add, make sure you check the date on each food package.

Consumer Reports warned against buying certain products from dollar stores, some because of safety concerns: electrical items like extension cords and Christmas lights, vitamin supplements, brands that sound like known brands but aren't, vinyl lunch boxes, and toddlers' toys.

Questions about the quality and source of the products, as well as the pay of dollar store employees, has prompted lots of discussion on a message board thread at MSN Money. A reader named "StillOnTheRoad" summed up many people's comments: "I'm guessing that if you're concerned with a store being 'socially responsible,' not many chain stores will meet your criteria."

Our partner blogger Donna Freedman wrote in a post here at Smart Spending: "Some people point out that a lot of dollar store merchandise is manufactured in countries paying criminally low wages. That's true. But that's a systemwide problem."

She added, "Right now, plenty of people can't afford to have ethics. They're increasingly squeezed by the rising costs of housing, food, child care and medical coverage" -- not to mention gas.


Weigh in and tell me what you think!

I personally use several local dollar stores all the time. But I am rather selective of what I buy. The Dollar General chain has quality items, decent prices. Same with the Family Dollar Stores. I would trust about any item and most pricing is pretty reasonable. Both of these shops are not $1 stores, but are cheaper.

The strictly everthing in the building is a $1 or less stores- frequent those all the time too. I am much more selective there. For instance the colgate toothpaste I use - they have for a $1 a tube, but walmart has the same kind in a larger size for $1.39 - ends up being cheaper at walmart because of size.:???: Not always cost effective. I use to be able to buy shampoo there, but they no longer carry the brand that I use. Actually, nobody carries that brand anymore. [sadashamed]

There are lots of good things to be found though! Holiday decorations, coloring books, crayons, stocking stuffer, easter basket items, some snacks are good deals (crackers, pretzels, candy), paper plates, cups...lots of good deals - just have to watch!

I agree that not all dollar stores are equal. Dollar General seems to be a pretty reliable place. Thats really the only dollar store I go to. And they even have a lot of name brand stuff there for less. I mean why would I buy Oreos at the grocery for 3 or 4 dollars when I could get the same thing at DG for $2. Same with candy bars. I can get 8 fun size snickers for $1. And I'm sure they're the same as the snickers that cost twice that in the grocery store. Just a few examples.. but honestly I'm happy with the Dollar General. But I wouldn't trust any old dollar store. As far as stuff being made by underpaid workers... well I think you can buy stuff like that anywhere!! I mean look at the toys, most of them are made in China no matter what store you buy them from.

We have the Dollar Tree by me. I go in there for certain things that I consider a good deal (e.g., round plastic storage containers like Ziplock brand, but at a fraction of the price. I use them for freezing huge batches of spag sauce.) But not everything is a deal. For example, check quantities on packages of disposable plates. If you need to buy 3 packages at $3, you may do better at Target or Walmart. I avoid batteries and the kids toys since the whole lead paint scare.