Good Buys at Dollar Tree?
I Googled and went down lots of paths to confirm that yes, the base price will go up from $1.25 to $1.50 at Dollar Trees everywhere in the US. It's started at my local one on some items such as bakery items, mashed potatoes, and some snacks. So are there any good buys at Dollar Tree left?
The greeting cards haven't been 2/$1.00 for a while but looks like most will stay at the $1.00 point. This has been helpful for me with the volume of confirmations, graduations, weddings, and babies being born in the last year.
I'll still grab shelf stable milk and almond milk. The convenience, even if $3 a 1/2 gallon is more than fresh is worth it to me to have it on hand and avoid a store run or going without. It's a necessity in my coffee and I do a lot of baking using both. At $1.50 it's still better priced than other shelf stable brands I've seen.
DT carries a box of fancy crackers usually found in the deli area at my local store. These will still be a great price comparably and look so much nicer than saltines or Ritz knock offs for charcuterie and mezze platters.
And speaking of those platters, I think pickles, olives, and relish will still be a good value. Those mini egg rolls at $1.50 for eight will still be a tasty treat that won't break the budget along side a stir fry. DT also has a couple cleaning products like Awesome and Mr Plumber that are good quality and can't imagine similar will be cheaper. Plastic no name zip bags will still be a better value than generic store brand at least based on what I've compared.
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| Hmmm...just 12 oz. |
Depending on sale prices of store brand alternatives, package size, it's probably hit or miss if $1.50 for snacks like cheese crackers, pretzels, and tortilla chips will be good. I try to buy that stuff minimally anyway, but for get togethers, the lake, a ball game, it's nice to have options. This applies to movie theater candy boxes, which are nice to go with a card and money for a gift, or as a treat. DT had a good selection, but I see those boxes lots of places still closer to $1.00, but it's limited options. Same with dried beans; I'll need to pay attention to price points per ounce before stocking up. Shrinkflation got me as I didn't notice the beans were only 12 ounces, not a pound.
Things I already have or will pass on for sure at DT includes spices, tuna both canned and packets, baking mixes, canned vegetables, frozen items including vegetables. How about you? Do you shop at DT at all and have favorites that no longer are a value?
I do not shop at DT. I've been in there once a number of years ago and I didn't see much there that we would use.
ReplyDeleteThat's one less store to try and review.
DeleteI usually go to DT for the cards and wrapping paper, birthday bags, balloons etc. Even at $1.50, I think those things are still a good buy. My daughter loves some of the crafty things and decorations. Oh I bought some of their flower seed pkts at 4/$1 so I am enjoying lots of marigolds this year.
ReplyDeleteI am having trouble signing in...Kathy
DeleteI'm not a crafty person but used in the past for school projects. Did the seeds produce?
DeleteYes, marigolds, lettuce, radishes etc grew ok. I didn't have any luck with bulbs though, none of them came up.
DeleteThey can have good prices, yes. Dollarama (Canadian dollar store) has greeting cards for less, but their items are definitely all over $1. It's closer to $3Rama.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why they still market as a dollar store.
DeleteI won't be going there much if they raise the prices to 1.50 for an item. Already some of the products are a few cents more expensive than at the regular store. The $1 cards or even 1.50 are a lot cheaper than cards at other places though. When I was buying books, I would check out their selection as they are obviously a lot cheaper. I suppose party supplies are cheaper there, but I don't really have a lot of parties lol.
ReplyDeleteYou reminded me I found each of my kids a very nice cookbook by pure chance this past Christmas. My themed ir color coordinated party days are done as well.
DeleteI do like their cards and usually go there if I need some. I think there are probably still good deals - although I rarely shop there.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand raising the prices, there was no way they could continue on with the $1 price - all places have to make some sacrifices as do customers. I never understood the $1 price to begin with - how they could make a dime.
I think the old model was volume and ease. Some things worth more than han a $ offset my stuff that really was less, but as inflation took over, everything went up.
DeleteI ordered a box of 110 assorted cards from Amazon for about $35. They are really nice cards and I love having them available anytime without going to the store.
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent price. I have some stock ones, but most don't work when I need one it seems.
DeleteThey have those fantastic Thin Mint cookies, using the same bakery as the Girl Scouts in some areas use. So, those I do go in on occasion to buy, though for family at this point, not for me :-).
ReplyDeleteSome of their paper products are still very well priced - plastic tablecloths come immediately to mind. Also party plates and cups.
As others have mentioned, I continue to price compare.
I did see both things mint type and the Peanut Butter versions. We all need to really work hard to not overspend so I'll compare as well.
DeleteI buy reading glasses, Awesome cleaning supplies, dish soap, cards, etc. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteThat Awesome cleaner really is just that. As I need full on prescription lenses, the reading glasses don't work for me, but I know family that buy multiple for different places at DT.
DeleteI don't frequent DT heavily, but there are some items that no one else can match.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that will remain? Lady speed stick is another product I'll still get there as it's more than $3, but I see they've no longer carried any other name brand deodorant.
DeleteWe don't have a Dollar store nearby, so I haven't been to one in years. I do think Trader Joes has $.99 cards. I also tend to hit CVS for gift card when they run them on sale, and I buy things like graduation cards in large packs (like the past two years), so I can give them out to all of the graduates. Buying them in bulk tends to be well under the $.50 mark. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I've even noticed cards at Trader Joes. You hit the right time to find a bulk source for graduation cards.
DeleteReading glasses, sunglasses, crafts for the grandkids are things I like to purchase at DT.
ReplyDeleteThose seem to be staples others purchase there as well.
DeleteI buy fancy sheets of stickers there, part of birthday and Xmas gifts for great niece (age 7) and great nephew (4). These are cheap and fancy, the kids love them. That's pretty much all I buy there. It's very inconveniently located for me.
ReplyDeleteIf the location is not convenient then I'd probably not bother but most by me are near other places or right on route.
DeleteThe last time I bought anything at dollar tree was online, a year ago. I have no issues shopping there, it's just not on my route. I buy frames and art supplies. I also liked their microwave burgers. It's still a gt place to get certain items.
ReplyDeleteI'd not bother if there wasn't so many both near and right on routes I travel.
DeletePip and I went to DT Sunday and bought everything she (Pip) wanted to buy for my sister's birthday party decorations. (Overly decorated? Yep, but she was happy)
ReplyDeleteI buy reading glasses there and all my cards. I usually buy at least a dozen so I have some on hand for every occasion. The one nearest me still has a section of 2/100 cards but the selection is pretty bleak.
What I like about the cards is there's still some funny ones, not just religious, and can get most occasions year round.
DeleteMy store does still have 2/$1 cards. I bought a vase the other day when I gave flowers as a gift so she wouldn’t need to fuss with them. DD likes to peruse the makeup, often it is name brand repackaged. I’ll still shop there from time to time but I don’t ever buy much at once. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteYou remind me of my daughter's show choir days and buying out the fake lashes. Many girls reused, but I worried about what was sticking to them, then going so near her eye. At $1 a pair, much more affordable than an eye infection!
DeleteThe shelf-stable milk is the draw for me, so no need to go there often. Besides, it has no electric carts.
ReplyDeleteIt's also very packed and I see people with just canes, struggle with getting up and down aisles as it's so full. I can't imagine an electric cart in one at all.
DeleteI went to DT just a few days ago to buy foil in the pre cut sheets and was surprised that those are now $1.75 each. Ugh :(
ReplyDeleteSorry, forgot to add my name to above comment, Liz from Central CA
ReplyDeleteI think I forgot to thank you for your earlier post about finding the Late July salsa at the DT. I checked and got some, too! I buy the moisture absorbers (Damp Rid knockoffs) to use at the beach condo on a regular basis and occasionally the Tootsie Rolls Fruit Chews as a treat so I don't have to buy a big bag and eat them all LOL. Also like the pre-cut foil sheets and the 2.5 gallon storage bags.
ReplyDelete