Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Feb 8, 2014 16:34:30 GMT -5
I re-discovered our local dollar store! It used to be disorganized, dirty, and had a bit of a smell when one walked in. I needed to buy a picture frame earlier this week and decided to give them a try again. It was clean. It was organized. It smelled, well, like a store should smell-neutral. The merch was stocked in a logical format. I was able to find what I was looking for, at just $2, as well as two greeting cards for $1 each vs $3.49+ each at the store or WW. How about you? Do you patronize dollar stores? What are your favorite dollar store finds?
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on Feb 8, 2014 16:41:05 GMT -5
We don't actually have any around here. We had one years ago that I visited once. Very small locally owned store. It had an extremely weird selection of items. Cheap plastic toys and utensils from China, cleaning supplies that were more expensive than the grocery store and dented canned goods from the grocery store at grocery store prices.
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Feb 8, 2014 17:05:06 GMT -5
Well, we have Dollar Tree, which is a true "dollar store" as in, nothing in the store is over $1. We used to have a few other independent dollar stores that were sometimes fun and interesting, but they went out of business.
It sounds like yours is more Family Dollar/Dollar General type (low priced items, but all price ranges) These stores are hit or miss. Some things are good deals, others not at all. If you pay attention, most of the "name brand" items they sell are in much smaller packages/quantity than what you would find at Target, WM or the grocery store, so many items that "seem" like a good price, aren't really. I, too, like these stores, as well as Dollar Tree for greeting cards. Only place I usually buy them. There are a few items that are cheap at these stores if I am low on them and no good sale/coupon has come around, aluminum foil, zippy bags, some generic cleaning supplies, kitchen towels, stuff like that.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Feb 8, 2014 17:29:50 GMT -5
I've bought a few things at the one here. Found a set of SS mixing bowls (Lg, Med, Sm) that are great for when I'm doing baking. I think the set was $5.
I've bought toys for the cat - about $1-$2 ea - cheaper than at a pet store.
Also bought some measuring cups (a Buck or Two - which happens to be the name of the store I have near me), and a couple of thermal travel mugs.
I'm not crazy about the quality of their embroidery thread - it's not a brand name like DMC or Anchor -and it breaks too easily.
Like Iggy, I also found a couple of small picture frames too.
I don't purchase anything edible there - because it just isn't.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Feb 8, 2014 17:31:54 GMT -5
I love dollar stores. Use them all the time.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Feb 8, 2014 17:56:54 GMT -5
I use them for random things like birthday party favors.
Last year i found scratch and sniff Valentine cards. I should have bought them just to see what they smelled like.
I also found Christmas wrapping paper with black santas. I bought that. Just to see if anyone would notice. They didn't.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Feb 8, 2014 19:20:27 GMT -5
I have a very small Dollar Tree. It is my go-to store for greeting cards (@ $.50/ea.), lasagna noodles, and canned clams. I have $1/2 coupons for Hormel pepperoni which they always have, so I'll pick some up before the coupons expire for homemade pizza.
I also have a 99 Cent Store that I absolutely LOVE. The produce is awesome. I was buying watermelons for $1 all summer long. Last week I bought 2# bags of Halos for $1/ea. and 16 oz. Kraft Simply sour cream for $1. They always have salad makings for a lot less than I can get them at Safeway. A couple of weeks ago, I got 8 oz. bricks of Philly in two-packs for $1 (or $.50/8 oz.). I also snagged 15 oz. tubs of Smart Balance spreadable butter for $1/ea. Where can you get butter for just a little bit over $1/lb.? It's also pretty good for bagels, English muffins, etc. Some items are a one-time shot like the butter and Philly so you've got to grab 'em when you see 'em. I usually pop in there about once a week to see what they might have.
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coffeegrl
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Post by coffeegrl on Feb 8, 2014 23:28:00 GMT -5
I'll use the Dollar General occasionally if I need something and forgot to get it while I'm at Wal Mart, Target, Schnucks, etc. I've been known to forget tp and will pop in there or maybe chips or soda for a get together. I don't go there when that happens for the price. I go in there because it's a lot faster to get in and out for just an item or two.
We also have a couple of places (Simply a Dollar? Everything's a Dollar?) where everything is literally $1. However, those stores are very disorganized and have more what I would call "trinket" type stuff.
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mollyanna58
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Post by mollyanna58 on Feb 8, 2014 23:40:16 GMT -5
There are a few dollar stores in the area, but no big chains like Family Dollar. I've looked in a couple and haven't been impressed. I did buy some dog "poop scoop" bags in one, which were much easier to open than the ones I bought recently at Petco, and much less expensive.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on Feb 9, 2014 6:29:08 GMT -5
In metro Chicago we have Dollar Tree, Family Dollar (3 mi in the wrong direction for me) and Dollar General (?). However, ONLY Dollar Tree is within my regular area(s) of travel. Many of the blogger posted items are NOT available at either of my stores. It is VERY hit or miss.
I find the food items to usually be smaller pkgs than the regular markets. Some of the cleaning products are ok. The spices/ seasonings & condiments have been ok as are name brand items. I have bought name brand plastic bags and plastic storage containers (rubbermaid are good). The toy items are VERY poor quality - break VERY fast. Puzze books, sodoku books and practice books for the grands have been good. Did NOT like the pancake mix or syrup (went back to Aldi) or the raspberry preserves (prefer Aldi). my stores do NOT carry fresh produce and that is a BIG portion of my weekly shopping. Also, I have an Entenmann's outlet so don't bother w/bread type items. Have a HUGE stockpile of pasta so no need. Rice is cheaper at Aldi as are pkg rice or noodle & rice dishes.
Do buy wrapping paper, pix frames, candles, greeting cards. My local Sun newspaper, normally $2, is $1.
Sure I will think of a few more items.
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Feb 9, 2014 6:56:00 GMT -5
The greeting cards are good but avoid anything printed in China. We found some gift bags with printed quotes on them. The words were English but were sort of random words that made no sense.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Feb 9, 2014 12:49:36 GMT -5
My favorite is Dollar Tree, because everything is $1.
In the past I have bought some food there, they do have a good coconut biscuit type cookie that goes with a cup of tea or coffee. When the grandkids were younger we bought goofy stocking stuffer, i.e Pick- up-Sticks game, coloring books, silly string etc.
For now, the nearest Dollar Tree in in Fayetteville, and if need be, we stop there when we are there for Dr. appt. or a quick trip to Hancock Fabrics.
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festafiesta
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Post by festafiesta on Feb 9, 2014 19:05:48 GMT -5
I love going to the local dollar store at the mall. My favorite items to buy are:
Greeting cards Gift bags Gum Pens for work Hsy bars Cleaning supplies Plastic storage containers
Swamp - Santa is white kids, he just is....
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lisaflex
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Post by lisaflex on Feb 9, 2014 19:28:49 GMT -5
brand name pens, sharpies, lined notebook paper come to mind!
lined and unlined notecards that dd needs for school.
ajax cleanser or comet - whichever they have.
Reynolds foil - those individual ones. great for grilling hotdogs in the summer for those who for some reason dislike the burned ones (not me, give me a burned hotdog any day..lol)
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Feb 9, 2014 19:33:40 GMT -5
I love my Dollar Tree. I get all my greeting cards for $.50, and I get my reading glasses for $1. I have prescription glasses, but the dollar ones I can leave all over.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Feb 9, 2014 19:44:48 GMT -5
Happy, I have 6 pr. of reading glasses. I tried wearing them on this cool necklace thing I bought at WMT, but every time I bent over my glasses fell out of it. I don't like the holders than hang around your neck, so I finally just decided to plop them on the top of my head. They don't fall off and I can always find them.
I think I liked things better before I had my cataracts removed and didn't need glasses anymore. I had forgotten what a pain reading glasses are.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on Feb 9, 2014 20:46:49 GMT -5
Blonde Granny...I'm soooo bad with my glasses..the other day in work i was looking all over for them, and they were on my eyes!
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Feb 10, 2014 13:42:50 GMT -5
I love all the feedback, gals! Thank you! Looking forward to my next trip. Ours here in town is a Family Dollar. However, I'm going shopping in the Big City this Friday for my birthday, and look forward to frequenting others such as Dollar Tree for fun birthday trinkets. My party is a 70's theme, so am hoping to find happy face motif items, mood rings, disco balls... etc etc.
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on Feb 10, 2014 14:23:44 GMT -5
If you're looking for 70's party items, check out Party City. They had a whole line of party goods with bright colors, smiley faces and peace symbols that would be perfect.
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Iggy aka IG
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Post by Iggy aka IG on Feb 10, 2014 14:30:06 GMT -5
Thank you, Peace!
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Feb 10, 2014 16:02:20 GMT -5
My DH was looking for tiny eyeglass screwdriver so he went to Lowe's. He found an electronic set that was $30. He asked the associate and he said to look at the Dollar Store. So we went and found a set. We got a few other things. DH gets out his credit card, and I gave him a $5 bill. He said he didn't know how much the total was. "$1 per item plus tax". he was amazed.
I also bought a lot of kitchen stuff for DS college apartment. Flatware, kitchen tools, mixing bowls, dish towels and cleaning supplies (hoping that he will use them....)
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coffeegrl
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Post by coffeegrl on Feb 10, 2014 19:14:14 GMT -5
I also bought a lot of kitchen stuff for DS college apartment. Flatware, kitchen tools, mixing bowls, dish towels and cleaning supplies (hoping that he will use them....) Dollar stores can be a good place to buy stuff when you're just starting out in your first home. I bought quite a bit of stuff for my dorm room from Dollar General and then it went with me to my first apartment. Through the years I've replaced the stuff as I've come across clearance, sales, as gifts, etc.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 13:03:48 GMT -5
Just got a Dollar Store locally. I was surprised that everything actually was $1. I went to one in another town and it had signs all over for how many dollars each thing was: $1, $2, $3, $4, $5 and so on. They should have been called the no cents store, not dollar store!
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donnafreedman
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Post by donnafreedman on May 12, 2014 19:55:50 GMT -5
While visiting my daughter I stopped in the 99-Cent Only store. If I lived in Phoenix I'd do a whole bunch of my shopping there: salad greens, 5-pound bags of potatoes, tomatoes plus a number of staples were all 99 cents. When I lived in Seattle I lived near a small-ish Dollar Tree in the same plaza as a Grocery Outlet. I miss having those kinds of options. The only "dollar" stores in Anchorage have items that cost more than a buck and are generally of not-great quality. Sigh.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on May 12, 2014 20:30:40 GMT -5
We have Dollar General, Family Dollar but the only one where everything is a dollar is Dollar Tree. They don't have fresh produce though. One just put in frozen section but the size compared to what you get in grocery store isn't really a good deal. $.50 more in store gets you twice as much. But most items are a good buy for a buck.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on May 12, 2014 21:08:27 GMT -5
I shop "Dollar Store" type places here in Canada for things like measuring spoons, dish towels, little kitchen 'gadgets' etc, mixing bowls I don't care if I lose, etc or novelties for a party (streamers, balloons, greeting cards, wrapping paper etc.
Even kitchen gadgets I'm skeptical of. I've had a few rust out on me after I'd put them into hot sudsy water to soak & rinse off. Even enamel mixing bowls. WTH? It's imported crapola. (IMO)
There is no way I'd buy anything consumable (food products) - not even candy.
You don't know where it's imported from, or how long it's been sitting on their shelf - no expiry dates on packaging or where it was made leads me to suspect imported from who-knows-where? Anything I consume internally comes from my local grocery/fresh market - not some dollar store. Most things aren't even worth the $1 or $2-5 you pay for it in the long run.
In summer I shop the local Farmer's market, especially during late summer corn season. We have a place south of me which is world famous for their corn on the cob. It's even trademarked.
But I refuse to buy anything labeled edible (which it really isn't) from a "Dollar Store".
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 13, 2014 5:42:43 GMT -5
SL my local larger Dollar Store has some national brand food items: Bar S deli, Fisher Boy fish sticks, scallops & filets that are the brand I can & do buy in major stores, Hormel pepperoni, Progresso soup, Libby canned veg, some cosmetic items,..........
I have no fear buying any of those. I have found many no name food items NOT to be to my taste.
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on May 13, 2014 7:00:28 GMT -5
I " I shop "Dollar Store" type places here in Canada for things like measuring spoons, dish towels, little kitchen 'gadgets' etc, mixing bowls I don't care if I lose, etc or novelties for a party (streamers, balloons, greeting cards, wrapping paper etc.
Even kitchen gadgets I'm skeptical of. I've had a few rust out on me after I'd put them into hot sudsy water to soak & rinse off. Even enamel mixing bowls. WTH? It's imported crapola. (IMO)
There is no way I'd buy anything consumable (food products) - not even candy.
You don't know where it's imported from, or how long it's been sitting on their shelf - no expiry dates on packaging or where it was made leads me to suspect imported from who-knows-where? Anything I consume internally comes from my local grocery/fresh market - not some dollar store. Most things aren't even worth the $1 or $2-5 you pay for it in the long run.
In summer I shop the local Farmer's market, especially during late summer corn season. We have a place south of me which is world famous for their corn on the cob. It's even trademarked.
But I refuse to buy anything labeled edible (which it really isn't) from a "Dollar Store"."
Well, a Hershey bar is a Hershey bar whether it is from the Dollar store or the grocery store. And many Dollar stores have brand name products.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on May 13, 2014 7:06:56 GMT -5
I like The Dollar Tree store....where everything actually IS a dollar. They carry a coconut flavored cookie that is really good. It's nice for an afternoon cookie with a cup of tea. I've bought cooking utensils there, stocking stuffer gifts when the grandkids were much younger. Greeting cards are 2/$1, and since most get tossed into the trash after reading, who cares that I only spent $.50? Gift bags are another huge expense if bought somewhere else, so why not save when I can?
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on May 13, 2014 7:15:09 GMT -5
I like The Dollar Tree store....where everything actually IS a dollar. They carry a coconut flavored cookie that is really good. It's nice for an afternoon cookie with a cup of tea. I've bought cooking utensils there, stocking stuffer gifts when the grandkids were much younger. Greeting cards are 2/$1, and since most get tossed into the trash after reading, who cares that I only spent $.50? Gift bags are another huge expense if bought somewhere else, so why not save when I can?
You can't beat the price of these two items when it comes to Dollar Tree. I always get cards and bags from them. I will go into DT and look around for name brand stuff sometimes then walk down to Super Target and compare. But that's because they are in the same strip and I can use the "exercise" I've also picked up books there for a buck too.
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