Rate dollar store products

[renovation]

i thought its slow around here so why not try something new .

lets rate dollar store products you have tryed .
or off brand products .and see how you compare them to national brand products.

i bought some some Quality care oven and grill cleaner in a 13 oz spray can .for a $1.00 and i have to admit it did a pretty good job of cleaning are stoves oven and cook racks . sure beat paying $6 -$7 for a can of easy off !

[zippyjuan]

I have only been in a couple of them. I didn't see anything worth spending money on.

[Prngr44]

Never bought anything from one and I can't recall the last time I even went in a dollar store.

[Kevster]

I dunno if it has just been my experience, but have you ever noticed that in Kmart you can slap your kids around and no one would say anything? Well generally in those 99 cent stores, you can slap other people's kids around and no one would say anything.

[renovation]

sorry if i miss led you guys. what im trying to do here is get your rating of any off brand product compared to national brands .
like krogers or albersons store brand SOUP.to lets say campbell soup.
hope this helps get this thead started.

[oblongmelon]

I've found that MOST Aldi products are pretty good, with the exception of their soups..way too salty!..the prices are right for things like graham crackers, saltines etc..and their baking supplies are hardly and expense at all! I love the place, but then again, I'm pretty thrifty when it comes to certain grocery items. Why pay inflated costs when you can get the same stuff at 1/2 price or less with quality comparison!

[oblongmelon]

PS..Dollar General has alot of stuff too that is worth purchasing..like detergents, bleach etc.

[Jenny]

PS..Dollar General has alot of stuff too that is worth purchasing..like detergents, bleach etc.

Yeah, we occasionally go to Dollar General for cleaning supplies & soaps because they tend to carry the same stuff as the other places but at cheaper prices.

[Jah Rulez]

The dollar store by my house has good quality aluminum roasting pans and some kick butt microfiber detailing towels.

My 4 y/o highly rates the plastic jewelry sold there. Never tried it myself though.

[Napoleon54]

I'm really starting to get serious about buying locally made products. I'd rather spend $3 on something that's going to keep my neighbor in a job than $1 on something made in China.

[uncledaddy]

I'm really starting to get serious about buying locally made products. I'd rather spend $3 on something that's going to keep my neighbor in a job than $1 on something made in China.

Can't stand the risk of the recalls anyway.

[Napoleon54]

Come to think of it, I was in a dollar store recently. Picked up an old-skool metal spatula to use with cast iron cookware... can't find them anywhere anymore now that everything's non-stick. Also got some tissue paper for gift wrapping and a set of bag clips to use in the kitchen.

I doubt any of those things are made locally any more, so the option is dollar store item made in China versus an over-priced item made in China. Go figure.

Still though, to expand on my point (and yeah this is getting off topic), if it was a choice between buying the same item for $1 at a national chain dollar/discount store (Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar, etc) versus paying $2 for it at a locally owned store.... no contest, I buy it at the local place and keep as much of the profits local as possible. I only shop at chains and huge corporate stores when I can't get something locally. I'm a big advocate of responsible capitalism... using your spending dollars to promote diversity and local ownership in the marketplace, support businesses that act ethically and responsibly, mom and pop type stores, etc. I loathe the typical lowest price, no-holds-barred, cut throat, "I shop nowhere but Wal*Mart" type of consumerism. IMHO we'd have much stronger and healthier communities if more people realized that their spending habits have a huge impact on such things.

[riskykougra]

I like to make xmas crafts so when I do I usually get stuff from the dollar stores because craft stores charge a fortune for the same stuff. Dollar stores are also great for gift wrapping and bags and stuff like that.

[johnnymk]

Some cereals and soups and condiments are priced well, bath and kitchen solvents,cat treats, electronic video and audio cables, tarps, and certain tools are cheap. I can't think of others right now.

[Jeffbx]

I loathe the typical lowest price, no-holds-barred, cut throat, "I shop nowhere but Wal*Mart" type of consumerism. IMHO we'd have much stronger and healthier communities if more people realized that their spending habits have a huge impact on such things.

:highfive:

Me too - I've been finding better customer service & friendlier people at all of the smaller places anyway - I'll spend a few extra bucks for that.

Places I won't shop so far because of crappy business practices or crappy treatment of employees:

Walmart
Sam's Club
Best Buy

[Kevster]

Still though, to expand on my point (and yeah this is getting off topic), if it was a choice between buying the same item for $1 at a national chain dollar/discount store (Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar, etc) versus paying $2 for it at a locally owned store.... no contest, I buy it at the local place and keep as much of the profits local as possible. I only shop at chains and huge corporate stores when I can't get something locally. I'm a big advocate of responsible capitalism... using your spending dollars to promote diversity and local ownership in the marketplace, support businesses that act ethically and responsibly, mom and pop type stores, etc. I loathe the typical lowest price, no-holds-barred, cut throat, "I shop nowhere but Wal*Mart" type of consumerism. IMHO we'd have much stronger and healthier communities if more people realized that their spending habits have a huge impact on such things.

I have only been inside a Walmart once in the last 10 years, and that was because I was forced to because they were the only ones open at the time. My home town has repeatedly fought against Walmart trying to open up a store/megastore there, and my current home city has fought to keep them from expanding from their current location (Walmart actually gave up).