Posted on 01/05/2025 7:13:01 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Back in the day, you could buy an entire pizza or a couple gallons of gas for just a dollar. Today, you’d have a hard time finding anything that inexpensive unless you’re shopping at the dollar store. Dollar stores are a fantastic place to buy certain essentials that other places charge far too much for. But despite the plethora of high-quality goods available, some of the items sold at dollar stores are priced that low for a reason. In these cases, it’s worth paying a little bit more for better quality and durability. Here are seven items that you should never purchase at a dollar store.
The inexpensive liquid detergent sold at dollar stores is highly ineffective, and you may just end up washing the same load of laundry multiple times to achieve a proper clean. These shoddy detergents are usually heavily watered down and fail to tackle grime and dirt as effectively as more trusted brands like Tide. Also, remember that detergents lose effectiveness in time, so be wary of those cheap dollar store brands that may have been sitting on the shelf for months.
The batteries typically sold at dollar stores are made for low-drain devices, meaning they provide less power and have a shorter lifespan than other pricier yet worthwhile options. Also, these generic batteries are notoriously made from low-quality materials, so they’re more likely to leak and potentially damage your electronics. Stick to reputable battery brands. While these types of batteries may cost more upfront, you won’t have to worry about replacing those cheap dollar store batteries every month after they die.
Dollar store tools are far more trouble than they’re worth, as they’re often made of cheap materials and will likely break the moment you begin your first DIY project. Imagine the top of a hammer flying off when you try to hit a nail into the wall, or a screwdriver head snapping in two — both of these incidents would just lead to huge headaches. Investing in a more durable toolset is absolutely essential for most homeowners, so try and shop for a higher-quality brand such as Black + Decker.
Don’t be tempted by those giant jugs of Driver’s Choice windshield washer fluid sold by Dollar Tree, as that product is notorious for being less effective in the wintertime. Using it may put you at risk of being stuck with an icy windshield and no way to clean it. That’s why it’s absolutely worth paying the $10 extra for a more trusted brand like Prestone for some added reliability and peace of mind.
Tupperware is a leading brand in the plastic food container space for a reason: Their products are dishwasher, microwave, and BPA-safe. But at dollar stores, the only food storage containers you’ll find are those made from flimsy plastic possibly full of toxins. This may result in the storage container melting in the dishwasher or releasing harmful chemicals if placed in the microwave. When it comes to food safety, don’t cut corners by shopping at the dollar store.
Phone chargers purchased at the dollar store may give you a couple days of reliable juice before they fritz out and never work again. These devices are shoddily made, and you’ll just need to buy a replacement before too long. Always stick to phone chargers made by companies you can trust, like those produced by Apple and Samsung. These devices will not only last longer but will charge your phone quicker than any dollar store alternative.
Dollar store toilet paper is often made up of thin, single-ply sheets that fail to do a good job at cleaning. This cheap toilet paper is also just plain uncomfortable, as you may be left with redness and chafing after each use. Brands like Quilted Northern provide a more thorough and comfortable clean without breaking the bank, so leave those cheap dollar store brands on the shelf.
Candy and other perishables- DOLLAR GENERAL and others get the expired stock from Target, Walmart and others - it’s so nasty
Don’t buy chargers for phones or any lithium device that isn’t from the original manufacturer.
They will fail and as most people plug things in when they get home or go to bed, the failure will occur when you are asleep and as these batteries can reach 1200-1700 degrees in under a minute it can spell disaster for you and your family.
Ten dollars extra? I just checked at O'Reilly Auto and their expensive RainX brand was only $7 per gallon. Generally I buy the generic stuff at a big box or hardware store when it goes on sale for a couple bucks a gallon.
I buy coffee at dollar general, but I just realized that while it’s cheaper when they have it on sale, it also has a lot less than the same brand at the grocery store, 19.5 oz, vs 22.9 oz at the grocery store, which leads me to believe that many manufacturers package products just for dollar general. Now I’m wondering if the stuff they get is old or second rate.
I believe Dollar Tree carries a decent selection of Rubbermaid plastic food storage containers. I guess I don’t really know about the claims in the article, but think Rubbermaid is generally a popular brand.
They do also carry a good variety of no-name containers, or those meant for few uses then recycle.
I only buy phone chargers at Five Below. They work for a year or two and I always have several available
I have never been in any of the Dollar Store variations. And I’ve never watched an episode of Seinfeld. LOL
one word: SUSHI
Single roll toilet paper...
What??? Are they trying to quit?
We buy milk at Dollar General.
There are no mega grocery stores around and the Lowes Market milk costs more and expires quicker than Dollar General milk.
“you’ll find are those made from flimsy plastic possibly full of toxins”
Or POSSIBLY made from spent nuclear waste containing covid and anthrax, possibly, and possibly peed on by Trump at a russian hotel....
That is not in the article.
I stay away from dollar stores. Just like I stay away from convenience stores.
They forgot sushi.
Party paper plates and plates ar3 very very flimsy.
this article was written by the stupidest AI in the universe:
1. “shop for a higher-quality brand such as Black + Decker” [B&D is a low end, garbage tool brand compared to dozens of other brands, such as makita, milwalkie, ryobi, dewalt and dozens of others]
2. “That’s why it’s absolutely worth paying the $10 extra for a more trusted brand like Prestone [prestone makes antifreeze; there’s no windshield fluid in the world that costs $10 a gallon]
3. “Tupperware is a leading brand in the plastic food container space for a reason”: yeah tupperware is such a popular brand that they went bankrupt; tons of other great plastic food container brands like Rubbermaid and Glad]
Dollar tree has lots of name brand stuff. I can buy a small container of Gain for 1.25...They have betty crocker or McCormick brand plastic storage containers...batteries are way cheaper than Walmart and are sold about 1/4 the price. Since I use few batteries buying a huge load isn’t worth it. Lots of name brand soda, Pepsi, lots of Snapple, Brims brand chips or chicharrons just as good as name brands, A1 steak sauce, heinz57 steak sauce, Name brand mayonnaise, Hanover pretzels, Harry and David coffee: are name brands...Tools...yeah...not very good..ice cream : some name brands...craft stuff very inexpensive...
Ya gotta’ check it out with an open mind...duct tape is fine for delinting clothes...
I am not a shill...but can get some decent name brand stuff...just gotta’ know the difference between quality and price...
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