12 Do's and Don'ts of Dollar Store Shopping

4. Don’t purchase items that need to last

Dollar stores keep prices low by selling items that aren't built to last or for multiple uses. So it’s a great place to stock up on items like seasonal decor, paper goods or office products. But you may want to avoid picking up tech items or fragile goods with multiple parts.

"It’s really good to shop at dollar stores when quality doesn't matter but quantity does," says Kimberly Palmer, a spokesperson with personal finance website Nerdwallet.

5. Do use coupons and cash back

All three of the large dollar stores accept both manufacturer's coupons and their own store coupons. You can get additional savings by using a rewards credit card or sending your receipt to a rewards app like Ibotta or Fetch.

The large dollar stores also have their own apps that highlight sales and provide additional coupons for users. Dollar General recently unveiled a program that allows its loyalty club members to earn cash back on purchases that goes directly to their loyalty member account or Ibotta, although you can't pair those offers with coupons.

6. Don’t make unnecessary purchases

One of the dangers of shopping in dollar stores and other discount stores is the temptation to make nonessential purchases because the prices are so appealing. Keep in mind that adding items you don't need to your basket can cancel out the savings you could get on the things that you do need.

"The biggest mistake you can make at the dollar store is to purchase items that you don’t need," Palmer says. "Then you end up with things that are expiring before you can use them, or you’re just creating clutter in your house."

7. Do plan ahead if you're not a frequent dollar store shopper

If you don't have a dollar store nearby, or you don't make it a habit to visit one, make the most of your shopping trip there when you do make one.

"Think ahead to upcoming celebrations or holidays and try to stock up on items you need, so you don't have to worry about planning a future trip," says money consultant Andrea Woroch. "This could include picking up greeting cards for various birthdays and other celebrations you have coming up in the next few months and gift wrap as well for those occasions, if you're planning to give a gift."

8. Don't assume you're getting the best deal

While there are many unbeatable deals available at dollar stores, some items are cheaper elsewhere.

"It's just as important to compare prices at dollar stores with other big-box stores as you would shopping anywhere else," Woroch says. "Use an app like Flipp to compare store ads before you shop to see which local retailers have the best deals or new sales for items on your list.”

9. Do try out the store brands

While you'll find many recognizable brands at dollar stores, you'll also see plenty of less familiar branded goods under the store's private labels. Since these items are manufactured specifically for sale at the dollar stores, they're often priced even better.

"Like drug stores, these retailers have done a very good job of investing in their private labels," Godwin says. "Most people don't realize that the same factories that make the brand name items also might be making the private label as well. The formula might just be slightly different with some of the ingredients tweaked, but you're going to see the same level product."

10. Don’t be loyal to one store

Individual dollar stores often have different inventory. If you have more than one dollar store in your area, visiting multiple locations might yield savings unavailable in one store or the other.

"While multiple stores may have similar inventory, sometimes it’s limited, but you can find everything you need at more than one store," Woroch says. "So, if you need three packs of themed paper plates and one store has only two, you might be able to pick up the other one across town."

11. Do shop online

Like most other retailers, dollar stores have invested in their websites and online offerings, so you may be able to find dollar store deals without even visiting their brick-and-mortar locations. Shopping online can allow you to stretch you budget even further if you make the purchase through a cashback portal, like CouponCabin or RetailMeNot.

12. Don’t shop late in the day

Dollar stores are facing labor shortages like all other types of businesses, and as they've become more popular, the lines for checkout can get long. Woroch suggests heading this off by visiting the store close to when they open in the morning, when lines tend to be shorter. Another benefit: Many stores restock their shelves after closing, so you'll get first dibs on any new items.