3 Pitfalls of Shopping at Dollar Stores

Don't fall into these traps.

These days, consumers across the country are reeling from the impact of inflation. And with the cost of everything from food to utilities to apparel being higher than it was a year ago, a lot of people are changing their shopping habits in an effort to conserve cash and avoid sky-high credit card bills.

One change you may want to make in the course of fighting back against inflation is frequenting dollar stores. As the name implies, dollar stores are home to a host of low-cost items, and if you're on a budget, they might really help you stretch your paycheck.

At the same time, there are certain pitfalls you might encounter when shopping at dollar stores. Here are a few to look out for.

1. You may have to take a chance on brands you aren't familiar with

It's a big myth that dollar stores only carry off-brand items. Sometimes, the brand of soap or shampoo you use all the time will be a brand your local dollar store carries as well. 

But that won't always be the case. And sometimes, dollar stores do stock lesser-known brands you may not be used to. That's something to keep in mind if you're buying food products and have picky kids, or are taking a chance on a new lotion or body scrub but have sensitive skin. 

Along these lines, when you buy name-brand products, you know what sort of quality to expect. You'll need to be careful when buying household items, like kitchenware, at a dollar store, because they may not last as long as expected.

2. You'll need to pay attention to product sizes

Sometimes, the great deals you'll find at dollar stores aren't really great deals at all. That's because you might think you're getting your usual item at a fraction of its supermarket cost only to realize you're getting fewer ounces of the item in question.

So, let's say you decide to buy hand soap at your dollar store. You may find a six-ounce bottle for $1. But if your local supermarket carries a 12-ounce bottle for $1.79, that's actually the better deal.

3. You could end up overspending

The great thing about dollar stores is that individual items are all roughly $1, if not less (in some cases, they may be a touch more). But that could lead you to spend more money than necessary.

You may get into the mindset that since everything at the dollar store is cheap, you might as well buy whatever you want. After all, what's an extra $1 here or $2 there? But if your goal in shopping at dollar stores is to save money and lower your spending, then that's a dangerous path to go down. 

Be careful when shopping at dollar stores

Shopping at your local dollar store could save you money, and at a time like this, that's important. Just do your best to avoid these traps so you don't wind up kicking yourself after the fact.