We all love the thrill of the dollar store, no doubt. It’s a treasure hunt where everything costs less than a fancy cup of coffee. You can walk in for a single greeting card and walk out with a basket full of goodies, feeling like the shrewdest shopper on the planet. And for things like party decorations, gift bags, and poster boards? It’s an unbeatable deal.
But not everything that glitters for a dollar is gold. In fact, some of those “bargains” are a waste of money at best and a genuine safety hazard at worst. Being a smart consumer means knowing when to pounce on a deal and when to walk away. To save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration, we’ve compiled the definitive list of items you should almost never put in your dollar store cart.
Here are the 12 items you should probably skip on your next dollar store run.
Electronics and Power Cords
That $1 USB cable or power strip might seem like a steal, but it’s one of the most dangerous items you can buy. These products are often made with cheap, substandard materials and rarely undergo the rigorous safety testing required for UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification. The result? A genuine fire risk. Flimsy wiring, poor connections, and a lack of surge protection could lead to overheating, short-circuiting, and cause potential damage to your expensive devices.
The Bottom Line: Your phone, your TV, and your safety are worth more than a dollar. Buy certified electronics from a reputable retailer.
Kitchen Knives
A sharp knife is a safe knife. A dull knife, which requires you to apply more pressure, is an accident waiting to happen. And because most dollar store knives are typically made from low-grade metal that won’t hold an edge, they are prone to chipping or even snapping under pressure. You’ll probably end up spending more time fighting with your food than cutting it, and you’ll likely have to replace it after just a few uses.
The Better Bet: Invest in a single, decent chef’s knife from a kitchen supply or department store. It will last for years and make your time in the kitchen safer and more enjoyable.
Batteries
You see them right at the checkout, a tempting last-minute grab. Don’t do it. While some dollar stores now carry affordable alkaline batteries that can rival name brands, the shelves are often dominated by the carbon-zinc “heavy-duty” type.
Unlike the long-lasting alkaline batteries you’re used to, these have a short lifespan and, worse, are notorious for leaking. That corrosive acid could destroy the sensitive electronics in your remote controls, flashlights, and children’s toys, costing you far more than the dollar you saved.
The Bottom Line: You’ll get more power for your buck by buying name-brand alkaline batteries in bulk from a big-box or warehouse store.
Vitamins and Medications
While you might find familiar brand names of dietary supplements and meds at the dollar store, there’s a chance they are near or past their expiration date, which reduces their efficacy. Off-brand supplements are riskier, as they aren’t subject to the same quality control and may not contain the ingredients or dosages listed on the bottle.
The Better Bet: Buy vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter medications from a licensed pharmacy or a trusted grocer.
Pet Food and Treats
Your furry family members deserve better. While some newer, store-brand options have improved their ingredient lists, dollar store pet food and treats are still typically packed with low-quality fillers, animal by-products, and artificial ingredients that don’t offer much nutritional value.
What’s more, these products have a higher likelihood of being sourced from countries with lax safety standards, putting your pet at risk for contamination and health issues.
The Bottom Line: Read the labels and buy your pet’s food from a dedicated pet store or veterinarian where you can trust the quality of the ingredients.
Plastic Kitchen Utensils
Those plastic spatulas, spoons, and turners are a terrible deal. They are usually made from thin, flimsy plastic that can melt, warp, or snap when exposed to the heat of a pan. More concerning is the risk of BPA and other chemicals leaching into your food as the plastic breaks down.
The Better Bet: Opt for silicone, stainless steel, or wood utensils. They may cost a few dollars more upfront, but they won’t melt into your dinner.
Tools
If you need a hammer or screwdriver for a serious project, especially for any kind of heavy-duty use, the dollar store is the last place you should look. These tools are typically made from soft, cheap metal that can bend, strip, or break during their very first use. A screwdriver head that strips will ruin your screw, and a hammer head that could fly off its handle is a safety hazard.
The Bottom Line: For tools you can rely on, head to a hardware store. Even their budget-friendly options will be exponentially better and safer.
Skincare and Cosmetics
Putting unknown chemicals on your skin, the largest organ of your body, is a gamble. Dollar store makeup and skincare products are generally made with cheap, possibly harsh ingredients that can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or breakouts. There’s also a likelihood of them being knock-offs, and you have no way of knowing if they contain unsafe ingredients.
The Better Bet: You don’t need to spend a fortune, but stick to reputable drugstore brands that are held to higher safety and quality standards.
Kids’ Toys
While a toy for a dollar sounds like a parent’s dream, there is a chance of it turning into a nightmare. These toys are usually poorly constructed, with small parts that could break off and become a choking hazard for young children. Furthermore, they may be made with unsafe plastics and paints containing lead, phthalates, or other toxic substances.
The Bottom Line: When it comes to toys for little ones, it’s best to check for safety labels and buy from established brands you can trust.
Canned Goods
While the price can be tempting, you are better off inspecting these with a critical eye. Dollar stores can be a dumping ground for dented cans (the risk of dented cans isn’t exclusive to dollar stores, but they may stock more of them).
What’s worrying is that a severely dented can, especially if the seal is compromised, increases the risk of botulism. Beyond that, the off-brand canned goods generally have high sodium content and may be packed in cans lined with BPA.
The Better Bet: You’re better off buying canned goods at the supermarket, where you can take advantage of sales on brands you know and trust.
Oven Mitts
An oven mitt has one job: to protect you from getting burned. Unfortunately, the thin cloth versions found at dollar stores often fail this task, as they are not adequately heat-resistant. While some stores now offer silicone mitts that can perform better (up to 450-500 °F), it can be challenging to verify their true heat rating. Grabbing a hot pan from the oven with one of these may result in serious burns.
The Bottom Line: This is a safety item. Spend a little more on a thick, high-quality oven mitt made from silicone or layered cotton.
School and Office Supplies
This one is a mixed bag; nonetheless, it’s best to proceed with caution. While notebooks and folders are usually fine, items that need to perform—like crayons, markers, pens, and glue—are often duds. The crayons are often waxy and barely leave a mark, the markers dry out instantly, the pens skip, and the glue just doesn’t stick. You’ll probably end up with a frustrated kid and a half-finished project.
The Better Bet: Buy the basics if you must, but for the art and writing essentials, stick to the tried-and-true brands during back-to-school sales at major retailers.