Between inflation and shrinkflation, shopping can feel a lot more stressful than it used to. Items you used to toss into your cart without a second thought are now a cause for pause, forcing you to pull out your phone calculator and scoff at how high prices have risen.
Walking into a dollar store, then, can be a cool smack of fresh air. The prices are so low! And for some items, a dollar store really might be a great alternative to your normal shopping stops.
But for some items, dollar stores’ meager prices may be ripoffs in disguise.
Today, I want to discuss some of the items you should always skip buying at dollar stores. As we remove your rose-colored dollar-store glasses, you should have a better idea of when you’re actually getting a deal, and when a dollar store is actually taking you to the cleaners.
Your Dollar Store “Don’t Buy” List
Some of the items on this list are dogged by low ratings and negative reviews complaining of poor quality. As you’re likely aware, the cheapest products are often (though admittedly not always) inferior to their slightly pricier counterparts.
Perhaps more surprisingly, other products made this list because their prices aren’t as competitive as one might assume—you can find better deals elsewhere.
Whatever the reason, don’t let yourself be tempted to buy the following items at the dollar store.
1. Charging Cables
Dollar stores generally aren’t your best option for technology, and charging cables are a prime example.
Dollar Tree’s website shows two charging cable options. One option is the E-Circuit Rainbow Fabric USB-C Charging Cables, which currently garner just a little more than two out of five stars. The sample isn’t large, but of six reviews, half give the cables a one-star rating. One reviewer describes it as the “worst charger ever.”
The other option is the Novelty Type C Charging Cables. Again, a small sample set of just four reviews, but two of those reviews give the cables a one-star rating. One reviewer said the cords were of poor quality and wouldn’t charge their Samsung phone. The other review said “within a week this charger melted in my iPhone 16.”
Don’t risk ruining expensive phones by buying cheap charging cables from a dollar store.
Related: 10 Products You Should Always Avoid on Amazon
2. Earbuds
Another type of tech you may want to skip at the dollar store is earbuds. Dollar General has many earbud options, but the vast majority have poor ratings and reviews.
For example, the Billboard Titanium Earbud with Mic has a meager 2.2-star average among nine ratings. Several reviewers complained that only one side of the buds delivered audio. “I will never buy this garbage again,” one reviewer claims. “Everything sucks about it.”
Another option is the True Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case. While it only has four ratings, they unanimously gave these earbuds a single, lonely star. One review states that the earbuds died after one song and didn’t charge past 60%. Another said the left side didn’t charge and the other side died in about an hour. And yet another consumer claimed they didn’t even get to use them because one of the buds broke when taking them out of the charging case.
It bears repeating: If at all possible, don’t buy your technology from dollar stores.
3. Carbon Zinc Batteries
Batteries at dollar stores may seem like a steal, but there might be a catch.
For example, at a Dollar General near me, there are currently six-packs of Generate AAA Heavy Duty batteries for only $1.50! But there is a reason the six-pack of Duracell AAA batteries at the same store is triple the price: Duracell’s batteries are alkaline, while the Generate Heavy Duty batteries are likely carbon-zinc batteries, which have less stored energy and are more likely to leak.
The product details hint at this, saying the batteries are “ideal for use in low-drain devices.”
While the lower price tag might be tempting, you’re likely better off with higher-quality batteries that will last longer and have lower leak risk.
Related: 10 Surprising Home Depot Freebies
4. Windshield Washer Fluid
On the Dollar Tree website, the only windshield wiper fluid shown is Driver’s Choice Summer Blend Windshield Washer Fluid.
Why do they strategically put “Summer Blend” in the title? According to the product details, “These 1-gal jugs of blue fluid are ideal for warmer weather, as they are designed for temperatures over 32 degrees Fahrenheit.”
If you live in a climate that never dips into freezing temperatures, this might work fine for you. But if you live somewhere that gets below freezing in winter, like me, you’ll want to steer clear of this wiper fluid. When it gets cold, the fluid may freeze. Then, it wouldn’t be able to clear the glass properly, making it unsafe to drive. You’re better off buying a slightly more expensive windshield wiper fluid that is winter-grade and not going to freeze.
This doesn’t mean every windshield washer fluid sold in a dollar store will be a clunker, but it is a warning to read the labels and know what you’re buying.
5. Toilet Paper
Dollar stores sometimes sell both generic and name-brand toilet paper at their stores. Unfortunately, in many situations, neither is a great deal.
For example, the Dollar General closest to me has True Living toilet paper. It’s priced competitively, but it’s only single-ply bath tissue—so while you’re paying less, you’re likely going to end up using more during each trip to the bathroom.
“This is the worst toilet paper ever – 1 ply,” one reviewer writes. “Come on guys this is a ripoff and an insult! This stuff is too thin and falls apart the second a drop of dampness hits it. I’ll find something else!!! I give it a zero!”
Of course, the same Dollar General also offers Charmin Ultra Soft toilet paper, which is much better-reviewed. But once you crunch the numbers, it’s actually slightly more expensive than Walmart’s prices. Dollar General offers a 12-count pack of “Mega” rolls, which have 224 sheets each, for $15.50. Thus, you’re getting 2,688 sheets (12 x 224 = 2,688) for $15.50, or 0.58¢ (58/100ths of a penny) per sheet. Meanwhile, Walmart currently offers 12 “Mega XXL” rolls, which have 440 sheets per roll, for $26.48. That comes out to 0.50¢ per sheet, which is less.
And if you can afford it (and have the space to store it), Walmart also has a 24-pack of “Mega XL” rolls, which have 336 sheets per roll, for $39.72. This comes out to an even cheaper (albeit slightly) 0.49¢ per sheet.
All of the above might seem like minuscule differences, but people go through a lot of sheets, so the price differences can add up over time.
Related: Top 10 Grocery Stores Ranked by Value
6. Soda
Quality issues aren’t so much an issue with soda at dollar stores. After all, they typically sell the exact same popular brands as other retail chains.
Instead, you need to be wary about price.
Larger chains usually secure better prices from brands by purchasing their products in bulk. Dollar stores often don’t sell as much soda. As a result, they must buy at a higher price … and charge customers a higher price in return.
Let’s look at Coca-Cola prices at Dollar General and Walmart. Currently, Dollar General sells a 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola Classic for $3.25. The same bottle at Walmart? $2.74. DG sells a six-pack of 16.9-ounce bottles of Coke for $6. Walmart sells it for $5.28.
Buying yourself a bottle of soda from the dollar store on a hot day likely won’t make or break your finances, but if you’re a regular soda drinker, you’re best off stocking up somewhere else.
7. Allergy Medicine
Dollar stores frequently sell allergy medicines, but they do so in smaller quantities that result in a higher price per pill.
For example: The biggest bottle of Zyrtec that Dollar General sells contains just 40 tablets. At $21 currently, you pay about 53¢ per tablet. Compare that with Costco, which sells two bottles together (a 70-count and a 50-count, for a total of 120 tablets) for $40.99—or 34¢ per tablet.
Going generic with your allergy medicines can deliver virtually identical results at even better cost savings. Costco wins out there, too. Dollar General, under its house brand DG Health, sells a 90-tablet bottle for $17, or 19¢ per tablet. Meanwhile, Costco’s Kirkland Signature-branded Aller-Tec comes in a 365-bottle (to last you the entire year!) for only $14.49. That’s a wildly cheap 4¢ per tablet.
Do your wallet a favor and don’t buy your allergy tablets at a dollar store. (Also, do your nose a favor and also check out Aller-Flo Allergy Spray, which is among the highest-rated Kirkland Signature products.)
Related: 3 Best Consumer Staples ETFs You Can Buy
8. Gift Cards
When you buy a gift card from a store, you typically pay the same price as the value of the card. So, let’s say you go to Dollar General to buy a $20 Domino’s Pizza gift card. You’ll probably pay $20. Makes sense. And it’s standard at most stores—not just dollar stores.
But a handful of places sell gift cards for less than their face value.
Costco currently offers four $25 Domino’s E-gift cards ($100 value) for just $74.99. And that’s not its only gift card deal. This is just a small sampling of some of Costco’s current gift card promotions:
- Two $50 Dave & Buster’s eGift Cards ($100 value) for $79.99
- Four $25 Nintendo eShop eGift Cards ($100 value) for $89.99
- Two $50 Spafinder eGift Cards ($100 value) for $79.99
- One $50 Cinemark Theatres eGift Card ($50 value) for $39.99
- One $50 Regal Cinemas eGift Card ($50 value) for $39.99
Yes, it requires a Costco membership, and Costco might not always be selling the gift cards you want. But if you’re a member, it’s always worth checking before grabbing one at a dollar store.
9. School Supplies
If your child waits to tell you about a school project until the night before it’s due, dashing to the nearest dollar store might be your only option. But before every new school year, when you make a dedicated shopping trip to stock up on school supplies, consider looking elsewhere.
Let’s start by comparing prices for colored pencils. Right now, a 24-count box of Crayola colored pencils is $4 at Dollar General. The same box is only $3.27 at Walmart.
Plus, if you’re being honest, that 24-pack may not be enough. Some will snap. Others will get lost in the couch cushions. Favorite shades will quickly dwindle down to a tiny nub. But you can’t get a bigger size at Dollar General; Walmart, on the other hand, sells larger boxes with 50, 64, even 150 colored pencils per box.
How about construction paper? Now, let’s take a look at construction paper. Currently, Dollar General sells a Crayola Construction Paper Pad, with 96 sheets of 9-inch-by-12-inch paper, for $3.50. You can get the same size and amount at Walmart for $2.86.
Again, you might want larger quantities. And again, Dollar General doesn’t have that option. But Walmart sells packs with 120 sheets or 240 sheets—and if you really want to stock up, 12-packs of 96 sheets each.
Related: Food Costing a Fortune? 12 Tips for How to Save Money on Groceries
10. Canned Beans
In the fall and winter, I love making chili with three types of beans. But I don’t buy my canned beans from Dollar General, which charges more than other popular chains.
Example: Dollar General sells 16-ounce cans of Bush’s Pinto Beans for $1.50; it charges the same price for a 15-ounce can. But those same cans cost just $1.39 at Target, and $1.28 at Walmart.
Like several of the items on this list, a difference of a few cents might not seem like a big deal—but if you regularly include beans in your meals, it can add up.
