New Dollar Tree

[boblabontefan]

They just opened up a Dollar Tree store near me. I browsed and liked what I saw, but does anyone out there have any good tips for this store. Like when do they put out new merchandise, do they have clearance sales, what about the groceries - are they good/fresh?

 

Any tips, hints and advice is appreciated.

[Scruzin]

Our Dollar Tree in Harrison Arkansas got shipments on Tuesday, but it took until Thursday morning for them to get it all put out.

 

I don't recall much good Clearance, they would mark things 2/$1, but that is all I recall.

 

Our store only have one isle of groceries and they were always off brand things.

 

I like to get the Awesome Orange cleaner from the Dollar Tree, it ROCKS!

[AndreaInNC]

I remember hearing on the news that you have to be careful buying certain products from dollar stores in general and check to see where they are made. Toothpaste definately be careful as most of the time it is made outside of the US and what they put in their toothpaste isn't what we put in ours - floride levels mostly is what is different.

 

Also if buying food - check the expiration dates.

[indallas]

Mine stocks new merchandise between Tuesday and Thursday. I always try and go to the store every Thursday night to see all the new stuff. If you see something you like, don't wait to buy because it'll be gone.

 

I never buy their groceries but I have bought juice and it was ok.

[boblabontefan]

Thanks everyone. The store I checked out this weekend had a lot of brand name snack chips - Doritos, Cheetos, etc... Of course the signs say "Guaranteed Fresh" but I know you have to take that with a grain of salt.

 

Awsome Orange Cleaner - I will have to try that. Any other products you would recommend?

[alora7]

I've bought a few grocery items there, mostly chips or crackers...and occasionally chocolate covered raisins! I wouldn't go there specifically to buy groceries but what I've picked up has been good. I've tried a few of the off brand chips and crackers and they were pretty good, all the brand name stuff has been fresh. I love to hit them up after halloween. Ours has costumes (princess, pirate, pretty common costumes) that are a steal for $1 but when they go 50%-75% off I stock up for my nieces birthday parties (all the kids dress up and play all over my SILs back yard). I've never seen anything go clearance that wasn't seasonal. I like their wrapping paper and gift bags and some of their other party stuff.

[fluffkin79]

I love Dollar Tree for last-minute kid gifts. You can usually find good books/coloring books, picture frames, craft stuff, and sometimes toys. We always get Mylar balloons there, can't beat $1! We usually get cards there for $.50, too. The quality is not great, but that is O.K. for most of the parties we go to (they just get thrown away - so it's the thought that counts).

[boblabontefan]

I did notice the large selection of gift bags and party supplies (napkins, plates, etc.). At $1 per package for plates and napkins that is a huge savings over the other paper goods stores.

 

They had a small amount of Easter supplies out and a large (3 or 4 small aisles) area to put more in. I will have to check it out Thursday to see what new stock they have.

 

They had an aisle for toys - some board games (checkers, etc) and lots of smaller type toys. Great for kids parties - That is for sure.

 

I also notice some dinner plates, etc. Has anyone ever bought any of these? Might be nice to get a small set for summer picnics.

[Guest JustMeDiana]

Dollar Tree is great for gift bags, balloons and cards you can't bet the price..... Great place to pick up party favors..... I have bought a few groceries spices are great.... Every once in a while they will have stuff on clearance.....

[indallas]

I bought some dinner plates once when they had some with the Looney Tunes on them, got bowls to match - they've held up pretty well in the dishwasher and I'm sure they are at least 2 years old now.

 

I also buy a lot of frames, scrapbooking stuff, stationery stuff for whatever holiday is coming up - great for stockings, easter baskets, etc.

 

$1 umbrellas and ponchos are always good to have on hand when traveling as they can be thrown away and you don't feel like you've wasted your money.

 

Oh and don't forget they have lots and lots of glow in the dark bracelets, necklaces, balls, etc. - I know whenever we go to Disney or Sea World I load up on this stuff as it's much more expensive to buy these things in the parks and the kids love them after it gets dark.

[boblabontefan]

Thanks for the info on the dinner plates and the glow-in-the dark stuff. That will come in handy over the 4th of July Holiday!

 

Spices - I hadn't thought of that. I will check that out on Thursday.

[dnvillane]

Thanks everyone. The store I checked out this weekend had a lot of brand name snack chips - Doritos, Cheetos, etc... Of course the signs say "Guaranteed Fresh" but I know you have to take that with a grain of salt.

 

Dollar Tree is one of the very few dollar stores that I WILL buy food products from. I have never bought any food there that was stale. I'm frequently surprised by the name brands they get in stock - we've bought All Bran cereal bars (delicious, even my son loved them - and they were $3.49 at Shoprite) and YoGo fruit roll ups there. :)

 

My sister, who is from NY and hates dollar stores, had to admit that Dollar Tree is a step above most dollar stores.

[pixiepoo]

Dollar Tree rocks!!! but all the little stuff adds up i never seem to walk out with less than $20 worth. that is how they get you....

[debbha]

I concur with everyone else...I love Dollar Tree stuff. Love the cleaning products..incl. the orange cleaner. On the dishes, be sure that they are microwave safe...some of them are melamine and are not. Most of the plasticware is great. I've found some name brand candy bars and snacks in the one in KC. As always, be sure to check expiration dates. Gift bags, esp. at Xmas are my fav things.

[boblabontefan]

Thanks for the replies. It really helps to know what others think about a store.

 

I will let you know what I get on my shopping trip on Thursday!

[dnvillane]

Dollar Tree rocks!!! but all the little stuff adds up i never seem to walk out with less than $20 worth. that is how they get you....

LOL - My friend's husband asks why they call it a dollar store - "You always spend at least $30 there!"

[raycesmommy]

I LOVE to get my son books, coloring books, puzzles, and now workbooks there. Lots of times you can get a whole series of books (he is 3) for what it would cost for 1 book somewhere else. I have found that the coloring books and now workbooks are a great deal as they are usually $3 to $4 a book everywhere else.

 

Another thing I stock up on there is plastic baskets and plastic carrying caddies as I use them to store my son's toys on shelves. They are nice and colorful with many different colors to choose from which match his playroom quite nicely. Plus it is nice to use different colors so he knows what toy goes in what colored basket or caddy. Just a tip....

 

Ours is a smaller store so when I go to large cities I am in heaven as they have many more isles and many more deals!!

[christmasangel]

Dollar Tree is great! I've bought just about everything there from office supplies to paper prodcuts to cleaning supplies and the odds and ends. I pick up a lot of gift bags, greeting cards, plastic utensils, little toys for my niece/nephew.

 

It never fails I can't get out of there without spending at least $20!! )

 

I have bought food there before- everything was always great. Spices, condiments, candy, bottled water etc... The one by my parents house now has a frozen food section. They have some little things in there.

 

 

The only time I have ever seen clearance stuff is after a holiday. I got some Christmas gift bags 2/$1. But with prices like that you don't need clearance!!!

[boblabontefan]

My new store has a frozen foods section too. I saw some pizzas, fruit juices, etc. I didn't look too close because I really wasn't interested at the time (not knowing about quality).

 

From the sounds of it I should really consider taking a chunk of cash with me. I doubt I will get out of there for under $20! LOL!

[kbrady2]

My only caution is to pay attention to what you are buying. I shop there often, but I make sure that I watch what it is and the size that it is. There are reasons that some of the name brand stuff is being sold for a dollar. For instance.. the Irish Spring is $1, but the bars are personal size bars rather than the full size you find in the store. And you can buy 6 at the store for 4 something. They don't last as long as the bigger bars of course. There are some other things that I have looked at, like the frozen pretzels. We love those, but at target they are 6 for 1.29 rather than the 6 for a dollar. But they are better than the dollar store ones so I tend to still buy from Target, especially when we are talkign about cents.

 

The good thing about it though is that if you check often enough, which I do because it is one block from me, they always get new merchandise and we have found things like gerber lil ones packs that were much more expensive in the store and the expiration dates were great.

 

I love to buy books there and check for magazines sometimes they will have some. The fabulosa cleaning agents are great, especially if you just poor some in the toilet bowl.. it will make the whole house smell delicious (I use the purple one). The Awesome products are "awesome" too.. and they are concentrated so buy some empty spray containers so you don't waste what you bought for $1.

 

Wow I didn't think I knew so much about the Dollar Tree.. well that's likely why I spend so much each time I go.

 

Oh and one more thing. they have some cereals there, but because of the size I am able to do better with name brands or even Malt-o-meals when there are sales at the regular stores.

[nelsanbor]

Love Dollar Tree. They just opened one approx. 3 mins. from my house. Cannot wait to go and do some shoppng.

 

I have also found that certain can goods are priced cheaper in other stores.

[jadedmomof2]

Watch the Dollar Tree especially for discontinued items. I've found some great deals there that way. This fall, it was Hanes t-shirts for my son, I bought a rainbow of colors. Another time was an Incredibles Game Boy SP backpack, including game cases. And I was stocked up on facial cleanser and moisturizer for over a year once because Herbal Essences sent their facial care line to Dollar tree to clear it out.

[staviles]

I agree with Jadedmomof2, I always watch for the discontinued stuff to hit my Dollar Tree, as Target is really just down the street, and have found tweens bras and Training Bras by Hanes and Fruit of the Loom for $1.00!!! Loving it at that price, plus for my tween girls, you can't beat their collection of stickers, pens, diaries, stationery and stamps and LIPGLOSS (all stuff girls have to have). I have even made little gift baskets from their body butter, lotion, and body wash sets for baby shower favors! and same as PP love the balloon deal for $1.00/mylar. I have also found them so helpful for Christmas stuff..this year they had stocking holders for the fireplace (really cute and strong) and some cute decorations for my mantle, plus lots of scrapbooking and craft stuff for the kiddos...heck, all my kids have always gotten the Dollar Tree flash cards and card games for stocking stuffers..lol, I also love that they carry the Spic and Span spray cleaner and their carpet cleaner is way cheaper than at other stores and works really well..so do their washclothes and oven mitts! LOL, I guess you can tell I love my Dollar Tree as well..happy shopping! :)

[dkctoo]

I've bought awesome books and cds there. Some of them still had walmart stickers on them showing much higher prices! Also, they usually have a good selection of sudoku books - often the same series you find at other stores. BUT, you do have to watch about other things as has already been pointed out... Some things cost $1 there that would cost $.69 or so at Walmart. I read once that walmart owns dollartree. Anyone know if that's true? They are always in the same shopping center complexes here in my area.

[lilquiet]

I love my Dollar Tree!

 

I've bought convertable training bras there for my niece. (with the $8 price tag still on it for JCpenny)

High quality name brand shampoo. Renolds Wrappers. (which i use often)

 

I even buy food from there. I helps having a friend that works there. If she thinks the food is ok than it must be. Food there flies off the shelves pretty fast. Marie Callender chicken pot pie soup, healthy choice lunch meats, pillsbury rolls, Italian ices, etc. It used to be the cheapest place to get a carton of 12 egs but now they only sell a carton of 6. I do check dates on items. You can never be to careful.

 

And the cleaning items. Easy off Bam, Spic and Span, Sunlight, Glade plug-ins and many more.

 

I can just go on and on

 

I think I'll stop on the way home from work today. :)

[Gporter34]

I love Dollar Tree for gift bags, wrapping paper, and hair accessories for my two teen girls. But I think what I love most about it is the kitchen gadgets. I get some really neat things for $1, especially if I go often.

[boblabontefan]

Just back from my trip to the new Dollar Tree. I got out of there for under $10 - I don't know how I did it.

 

I picked up 6 different NASCAR themed Pez dispensers. H and I have a NASCAR rec room and are huge fans of the sport. I figured if I would have found them somewhere else I might have spent less per unit, but these are the first ones I have seen. I also picked up an umbrella and a brush.

 

I did take a friend with me and she got some cleaning supplies, an umbrella and some candy.

 

The store was busy. Lots of Easter stuff out so I will be going back.

Edited February 21, 2008 by boblabontefan
spelling error

[amberjobryant]

Dollar tree is the best, I go there if i need to make gift baskets (baby, wedding, new house, kids bday), you can always find a cute reusable container and tons of usefull stuff to fill it with. Of course the wrapping stuff is a given, I never buy wrap anywhere else, and batteries. Bought the kids holloween costumes there last year too, spend $5 a piece and they where totally decked out. Also look for little girls tights there if you need them and knock off purfume (just smell first, but they really have a good selection of mens stuff) I have never been disapointed with anything I have bought there (and yes i have bought food items and toothpaste just look for brands you recognize)!

[ellen zachariia]

I just thought I would mention that my Dollar Tree carries magazines. I picked up Family Circle which is normally 1.99 and Ladies Home Jounal which is normally 3.49. These where both February issues. I have also gotten House Beautiful.

[First Lady]

Not a huge needed item, but had to mention. The $ tree Pregnancy tests rock! I am a surrogate, and use those tests and they have never been wrong. And they showed up 2 days earlier than some of the big name brand tests! As a surro we like to test often, so I cand spend $10 on 10 tests and watch the line get dark :) Versus spending $10 on 1 test. Although I do get looks when I bought 20 of them one time, lol. Ours has them behind the counter becuase they were being stolen so much, ugg.