I have been wanting to do a post on the Dollar Tree for quite some time now. They have a wide variety of products, all for $1, but the question to be asked is: Is it a deal or no deal? Hopefully I’ll answer that and feel free to add your 100 cents as well!
UPDATED! You guys have great finds, I especially can’t believe I forgot about the pregnancy test!
DEAL!
Party Supplies:
helium balloons (same quality as party stores which are around $6-$7)
gift bags (huge bags for $1 versus $5-$7 at Target and the likes)
banners (Happy Birthday, Anniversary,etc.)
plastic tablecloths
Birthday candles
Streamers 2/$1 (wayyyyy better than any party supply store)
Kid Items:
colorbooks
sidewalk chalk
small chalkboard (great for travel)
window gel clings (hours of entertainment on airplane windows!)
balls
Glowsticks/necklaces
books
puzzles
jump ropes
girls tights
the list goes on…….
Decorating:
removable wall stickers
floral/greenery
baskets of all kinds
glass marbles (much cheaper than craft stores)
Seasonal:
Easter baskets
tissue paper
beachballs
arm floaties/other floaties
Sunday Paper (sadly, not in Oregon) check to make sure your inserts are inside!
Miscelaneous:
dustpan
foil pans 2/$1 (great for freezing/taking meals to people)
bath scubbies 2/$1
mesh totes 4/$1 (great for produce instead of using plastic)
greeting cards 2/$1 (why pay $3 for a card when you can pay $.50?)
invitations/thank you cards 8/pk (appr. $4-$5 at Wags, Target, etc.)
bagged/boxed candy
yarn
pregnancy tests (absolutely reliable, unless you read it wrong;))
shower curtain liner
teaching material
reading glasses
dog & cat collars/toys/treats
NO DEAL
Toiletries: Between Walgreens and Rite Aid there are very few toiletries that you should actually be spending money on, and those wouldn’t be found at Dollar Tree, I imagine.
School Supplies: pay a quarter as much during all the Back To School sales starting in July
Cleaning Supplies: Couponing should be able to yield you inexpensive cleaning supplies OR make you own!
Food: Okay, I didn’t check the price per ounce on everything, but I’m pretty sure that most everything would be overpriced. Plus, you can’t use coupons at Dollar Tree (though I haven’t actually ever asked…)
Straws 180 Ct. (Ikea has 20o Ct. for $.99) ((Though definitely not worth the drive for an extra 20!))
What other things have you found for a Deal or No Deal?!
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I work at Dollar Tree and we DO accept coupons now be sure to read our coupon policy first.
Just a side note on some of the comments: The helium balloons at Dollar Tree last a few weeks at the least and the ones at Party City only last about 2 days if you are lucky! And yes, the pregnancy tests work….. always accurate. That is how I got my warning on the arrival of my last child 🙂 Last year they had two packs of Pet Shop characters w/accessories and I stocked up for Christmas; those usually run around $4-7 average at other retail stores. You never know what you might find there that is name brand; so it is definitely worth strolling down each isle when you have the time.
OMG! I found OLAY quench Age Defying body lotion at Dollar Tree!!! The same size bottle was at walmart for $3.44!!! I bought 6 of these 4.5 oz bottles. 1 for me, the rest are going into my christmas gift bags 🙂
I shop at our local dollar tree at least every other week. Just like any other store there are good deals and not so good. They do have some good deals on food sometimes. Most of the time I can get a dozen eggs, bread, english muffins, and so on. A few months ago they had the larger 17 ounce boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios for a buck. When I went last week I was able to stock up on Garnier Haircolor and I’ve even found Vasserette Bras there. One of my favorite things is the Sunday paper which they only charge 75 cents for. So even though they don’t take coupons I can get mine cheaper there.
may be u shouldn’t be having pregnancy scares if your having to shop at the dollar tree
It’s not about *having* to shop at Dollar Tree, it’s about *liking* to save money. 🙂
Unfortunately, the kids floaties that they sell at Dollar Tree are made with lead and other toxic chemicals. On the bottom of the packaging you’ll find a warning label that reads “Warning: This Product Contains Chemicals, Including Lead; Know (sic) to the State of California to Cause Cancer and Birth Defect and Other Reproductive Harm. Wash Hands After Handling.”
Pretty scary stuff. Not something that I want my child playing with all summer. Read the label for yourself. It’s on most of the “Splash-N-Swim” products. Dollar Tree should be ashamed.
Actually..while not *all* of the food is cheaper, it’s not hard to find some GREAT deals. Especially in the frozen section. I work there so I see deals come and go and I’m telling you that you’ve just got to get them while they’re there. Speaking from experience, too, Dollar Tree’s awesome if you’re living by yourself or with just another person and don’t need bulk food that’ll probably go bad before you get to eat it.
I work for Dollar Tree.. and We dont accept coupons… =( and I agree you can find some reallllly awesome deals… and some lemon of a deals too… I look at this way… do your research.. with a little work, you can save ALOT of cash =) and stock up when things come into season, like school supplies, holiday stuffies =) I guess what Im saying.. is be an aware shopper.. know ur local stores and find the best possible deals…
I love to buy helium-filled balloons there. They are always $3-4 at the grocery store, and at the party store I have to wait forever for them to be filled & the mylar ones are well over $1.
I buy greeting cards there – the designs aren’t always the coolest, but for the price, can’t be beat. Also great deals: gift bags, tissue paper, coloring books, stickers (these change all the time so you never know what they will have), craft supplies like pom-poms, foam stickets, etc., fun seasonal pencils – these were a big hit at Halloween.
I stay away from all the cheap plastic toys. Too many fears about lead and who needs all the break-able toys anyhow.
My kids eat up the granola bars like crazy (breakfast on the go, after school, lunch boxes, etc)… I cant stock pile Quaker brand fast enough…so I stock up at Dollar Tree..
I also buy spices there.
Paint brushes = packs of 4 brushes for $1.
storage containers/plastic shoe boxes.
hair brushes…. and Ive bought many foam rollers for those dance recitals! LOL!!
Sarah,
No way! Good to know. Thanks!
Hey! Just to let you know, you can get the Sunday paper at some of the dollar trees in Oregon. At least at the Dallas and McMinnville ones!
for the record, i used to work at a dollar tree, and the pregnancy tests DO WORK!For my pregnancy it was perfectly accurate, but in addition to that, the local pregnancy center would come and buy boxes of them from us. 🙂
For quite awhile I bought the Yardley oatmeal soap there-$1 for a bar, which I thought was pretty good (& I like it). But just yesterday I found a 4pk at BiMart for 3.49.
I use the “magic dusters”, and the “wet floor wipes” -for “Swiffer” type holders. Was thrilled to find them & they have been there consistently for about 2 years now, I never see any decent sales on the name brand types (which are like $6+) , and find these just fine. The duster handle that comes with the Dollar Tree ones, tend to break -but last for awhile if I can’t find my name brand ones (which happens in my house!). Also I have discovered that you can just put the floor wipes flat on the floor-under the washing area (without tucking in the ends)-and then you can fit it twice under the washing area & gives you more cleaning.
I buy dog collars there. I foster and often the collar that comes with the dog is less than wonderful. My contribution to the nonprofit 🙂
Their grated cheese in the coolers are $1 for 8 oz or $2/lb and they have a selection. Their Sunday papers are also a $1 but go quickly. Reading glasses are $1 compared to $16 elsewhere (foster grants). Dog toys/treats are also a great price. We just got a cat toy and dog dress there for hours of fun with our pets.
Regarding the $1 Sunday papers – has anyone else noticed coupon sections missing from the paper when you buy it at the Dollar Store? The last 2 times this has happened – last Sunday the Smart Source insert was missing from the 2 papers I bought. Very confusing. I left a message for the manager, but never heard back (Lake Stevens WA location).
As a Dollar Tree manager, I can tell you that we have no control over the Sunday papers. In our area, the papers are delivered in the middle of the night, already put together. I truly doubt that any manager or employee has the time to remove all the coupon inserts. FYI, cuponn are normally not inserted in our area on Sundays that are before holidays. Never unstood the reasoning behind that.
Lynne –
Thank you for your comment. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that someone wouldn’t be going through each paper and taking out the same inserts. I recently noticed the same thing at Albertson’s – not all the inserts that I got in my home delivery were in their papers. So, I called the local paper, the Everett Herald and inquired. I was informed that they have to “purchase” the coupon inserts and they don’t always have enough for all of their papers. The only ones that are guaranteed to have all the inserts are the home deliveries. For example – They have 47,000 coupon inserts, but print 51,000 copies of the paper. They will short change the papers that go into the stores, rather than short change the home deliveries. I feel so much better knowing this, rather than thinking that someone is stealing them!!
I saw a blog post last summer where someone bought straws from the Dollar Tree in California and it had the label required in that state saying the straws had high lead levels. I cannot prove this with a test, but I know that Ikea tries to make safe products, so I would be more comfortable with products from Ikea over the Dollar Tree.
In the summer – pool toys, they have all the float tubes, beach balls, bubbles, arm floaties, etc that every other store has for a fraction of the price
These items most likely contain lead. I purchased a beach ball for my daughter only to get it home and read the package with a big warning of lead and other harmful chemicals on the ball. It was quickly exchanged.
Highly doubtful…that’s illegal in the US.
I do love the dollarstore, but those dollars do add up. It is great if you only need a limited amount, but on some thing they will be cheaper per unit with a coupon at Michaels or Joanns 🙂 Great PosT
Seasonal decorations are a great deal! You can decorate your home/trim your tree for way less than you’d pay at WalMart/Target/party store.
Fun tableware is also a good deal — can have a themed dinner party/bbq for much less than you’d pay elsewhere.
Craft and floral is generally pretty decent. MUCH cheaper than Joanns or Michaels.
I agree about the food. Not worth it. Same with a lot of the cosmetics and misc household supplies.
Shower curtain liners are a good deal, but they rip pretty easily. If you buy a good fabric liner on clearance, you can wash/bleach it and reuse it.
Girls tights! They are so overpriced everywhere else. Why pay more than a buck when they are surely going to get a hole or run in them by the second wearing!
holiday stuff-easter baskets and things like that…
teaching stuff-there’s posters, certificates, hall passes etc for wayyy less than lakeshore learning!
I have recently purchased AIM kids toothpaste there. I usually get Aquafresh or Crest when I have a coupon, but this is great in a pinch if you’re out of coupons. Also, sprinkles for cookies (found with the spices). One time I got some really nice kitchen towels (I think I bought 12). I still have them and they have worn very well.
Or you can go to Goodwill and pay $1.99 for Dollar store basket! Lots of Dollar Store items I see at Goodwill for more than a Dollar.
Deal: baby food!!!
While we DO make most of our own baby food, I prefer the jarred stuff if we’re on the go. It’s flat out just easier. Baby food jars at dollar tree are 3 for $1. Even at the commissary they are $.50ish.
shower curtain liners — Deal! I dare you to find on at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for $1.
I agree with the shower curtain liners: I’ll stock up with a couple… that way I don’t have to fight mold. yuck!
I liek the tooth-flossers/picks… cheaper than your big brand…
I love the removable wall stickers. I bought some over 3 years ago and they really are removeable. My son has the jungle set and my daughter has the moon, clouds, and star set. CHEAP way to remake a room, especially when you cannot paint 🙂
The other excellent deal is when they carry lion brand yarn–great for all sorts of fiber craft projects!
There coupon policy, or lack of it, can be found on their website.
No coupons, I have asked.
I agree, the pregnancy tests are AWESOME. You can’t beat $1.
So, some great items that I love the Dollar Tree for are: pregnancy tests- totally reliable, at least in all of my pregnancies and when I thought I might have been pregnant, and totally affordable- you can’t beat $1 (they also have ovulation kits as well), when other stores carry them for $15! Also, they have 3 packs of kids toothbrushes sometimes that are suction cup ones or have fun characters on them, and my kids love to rotate their toothbrushes. Bags of candy aren’t bad priced at all, and even some craft stuff- just have to pick and choose. Also, some games items- like puzzles (same ones at ToysRUs for $6) and a 10 pack of dice for $1. Oh yeah, and my kids bubble bath and shampoo- I’m sure I could coupon these as well, but when you’re out of coupons or haven’t stock piled, it’s a great find. And, of course, all the things you mentioned on your deal list- definitely all deals!