Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?

Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.

There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to check out.

On Sat, 29 Jun 2013 18:00:38 -0700, spamtrap1888 wrote:

> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>
> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me
> wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>

dried mango slices with chili, paper plates, napkins, foil bake pans for
potluck and donated meals


> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to
> check out.

Big Lots is fun to wander around. Some stores are better than others.
The imported foods section is interesting. I always find something to
try.

Tara

> wrote in message
...
> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>
> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me
> wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>
> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to
> check out.

I love the Dollar stores. At first I didn't find much to buy there. But I'm
finding more and more things to buy. Some are better than others. They're
not all the same.


W. Pooh (AKA Winnie P.)

> wrote:
> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>
> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me
> wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>
> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to check out.

I just saw refrigerant for the car at big lots. $7 compared to $15-20 at
cars parts.

Greg

"Christopher M." > wrote:
> > wrote in message
> ...
>> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>>
>> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me
>> wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>>
>> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to
>> check out.
>
> I love the Dollar stores. At first I didn't find much to buy there. But I'm
> finding more and more things to buy. Some are better than others. They're
> not all the same.
>
>
> W. Pooh (AKA Winnie P.)

I had a private place here I liked to shop. Spices, food, and local sports,
steeler penguin, decorations and wearables. Had a lot of dishes, cups, etc.
Finally closed.

Greg

> wrote in message
...
> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>
> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me
> wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>
> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to
> check out.

I got a few Betty Crocker kitchen gadgets at Dollar Tree but that was a
while back. Not sure if they have them now. They have nice small chunks of
Land O'Lakes cheddar, and also shelf stable milk that is a super bargain!
Their bean with bacon soup is also very good but one can is several
servings. Since I am the only one who eats it, it's just too big for me
unless I want leftovers. They are the only place in this area that sells
sugar free Italian ices.

Big Lots has a weekly ad. Not sure what it has this week. I don't often
check it. I have been buying small cans of sugar free pears but they were
out the last time I was there. I sometimes get paper goods. I will not buy
dish soap there again. Bought some Palmolive there once and it did not want
to rinse off! I rinsed and rinsed and whatever you put on the plate still
tasted of soap. Bought some jarred pork tamales once that Angela liked. I
didn't. Very greasy. Recently got some good whole wheat pasta imported
from Italy although they had that same brand in the regular pasta as well.
At times they carry gluten free past and cereal. Got some 100 calorie packs
of stuff (can't remember what all it was) for much cheaper than the grocery
store. Often find good deals on canned vegetables and they do have good
deals on canned soups but we don't eat a lot of that. Have gotten odd
brands of sugar free sports drinks. Olive oil and olives. Got various
storage containers for the kitchen. Kitchen towels. Cool looking broom
with a leopard print. Decorative items.

If you have a Tuesday Morning, they often have good deals on decorative
items, other kitchen stuff and even foods. They tend to sell gourmet type
foods.

Burlington Coat Factory is another place that has good deals on kitchen
stuff. They do sell some food. Not a lot. I got a spaghetti server for 99
cents a couple of weeks ago.

Have also gotten deals at TJ Maxx, Ross and Marshall's. Nothing recently
for the kitchen but I didn't really look in those areas because I didn't
need anything. They also sell food but not a lot.

Our local dollar store did what many did and tried to change into a party
store. It didn't make it. I quit buying food there when they sold me some
badly expired hominy. They use the old fashioned price tickets and put them
over the expiration dates. I picked the price off to give it to my mother
and wound up not giving it to her. Ick!

If you have a Family Dollar in your area, they are great! Sadly, we don't.
But they had one in NY. One Christmas we bought all sorts of glass items
for gifts. Daughter and I were doing glass etching that year. We did some
to hold dog biscuits, others to hold pasta and dried beans, or even salt and
pepper shakers. I also bought a lot of food there. Canned goods, olives,
stuff that appealed to my daughter when she was younger. Can't remember now
what all I bought there but quite a lot. They're great for all kinds of
storage containers, laundry baskets, even cleaning supplies.

Target, although not a dollar store has good prices on a lot of foods and
kitchen things. If you get (and use) their Red Card (debit card), you will
save 5% on every order and always get free shipping. Plus they just started
the Cartwheel program. This applies to things all over the store including
food and their Cafe. You have to register with it then add whatever items
you want to your cart. If you have a Smart Phone, you can do this as you
shop. I just saved on paper plates but not sure if that one is still going.
Also drinks, popcorn (although the machine was broken so I couldn't partake)
and other things from the Cafe. You merely open the app on your Smart Phone
and have the cashier scan the code that appears when you check out. But you
don't need a Smart Phone. You can do this ahead of time at home and print a
code from your computer.

I also save at World Market. I mainly buy foods there. I particularly like
their spices.

On Sat, 29 Jun 2013 21:47:46 -0700, Christine Dabney
> wrote:

> On Sat, 29 Jun 2013 18:00:38 -0700 (PDT),
> wrote:
>
> > Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
> >
> >Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
> >
> >There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to check out.
>
> I was just in a Dollar Tree this afternoon, in San Jose. They had
> small jars of Duke's Mayonnaise. I snap those up when I see them.
>
I will be forever grateful to you telling me that Dollar Tree sells a
package of 3 poly cutting mats for $1 (I give them as gifts and give
my own a real workout).

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 6/29/2013 9:00 PM, wrote:
> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>
> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>
> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to check out.
>
Not all dollar stores are the same. I buy milk and eggs at Family
Dollar on a regular basis. It's less expensive and I don't have to
drive 20 miles to the grocery store for basic stuff. Toilet paper,
paper plates, paper towels. Also laundry and dishwasher detergent.

That's where I buy canned butter beans (laughing) - call them limas, I
don't care. I buy dried pasta, dried beans, lentils... They also
sell sour cream, cream cheese, small blocks of cheese (cheddar, monterey
jack/colby blends) and bags of shredded cheeses. Okay, we're not
talking "gourmet" cheeses but if you want to make simple mac & cheese or
a dip, they've got the cheese.

One of my brothers scoffed, "dollar stores?". As if shopping there was
somehow belittling. Since when is saving money something to scoff about?

A person who used to post here once complained it was all store brands.
That has not been my experience. Sure, they have their own brands.
Yet you can certainly find (e.g.) Tide detergent, etc. You're not stuck
with buying the store brand simply because it's a dollar store.

I'm just happy I don't have to drive 20 miles to buy toilet paper. LOL

Jill

jmcquown wrote:
>
> A person who used to post here once complained it was all store brands.
> That has not been my experience. Sure, they have their own brands.
> Yet you can certainly find (e.g.) Tide detergent, etc. You're not stuck
> with buying the store brand simply because it's a dollar store.

One generic brand that's expanding in my area is "Essential Everyday." I'm
really liking their products. Their generic V8 juice is just as good as the
brand name and $1.20 cheaper for a 64oz bottle. Lately, I've been adding a
good amount of pepper to about 12oz and taking that to work. YUM! After
reading about the virgin bloody mary's recently, I'm going to try adding a
good splash of worchestershire to it next time. Still wondering about
adding lemon juice.

>
> I'm just happy I don't have to drive 20 miles to buy toilet paper. LOL

Even 3 feet away is too far to go when you need some. heheh There's been a
few times when I used up most of a roll and forgot to replace it from the
closet. The next morning that can become a crisis.

G.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/29/2013 9:00 PM, wrote:
>> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>>
>> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me
>> wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>>
>> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to
>> check out.
>>
> Not all dollar stores are the same. I buy milk and eggs at Family Dollar
> on a regular basis. It's less expensive and I don't have to drive 20
> miles to the grocery store for basic stuff. Toilet paper, paper plates,
> paper towels. Also laundry and dishwasher detergent.
>
> That's where I buy canned butter beans (laughing) - call them limas, I
> don't care. I buy dried pasta, dried beans, lentils... They also sell
> sour cream, cream cheese, small blocks of cheese (cheddar, monterey
> jack/colby blends) and bags of shredded cheeses. Okay, we're not talking
> "gourmet" cheeses but if you want to make simple mac & cheese or a dip,
> they've got the cheese.
>
> One of my brothers scoffed, "dollar stores?". As if shopping there was
> somehow belittling. Since when is saving money something to scoff about?
>
> A person who used to post here once complained it was all store brands.
> That has not been my experience. Sure, they have their own brands. Yet
> you can certainly find (e.g.) Tide detergent, etc. You're not stuck with
> buying the store brand simply because it's a dollar store.
>
> I'm just happy I don't have to drive 20 miles to buy toilet paper. LOL
>
> Jill

I think dollar stores get a bad rap because a lot of them are/were really
bad. When I did a lot of baking, I'd go there and buy pretty glass plates
to put the cookies and things on. I sold them at auctions for charity.
People would try to give me the plates back, thinking they were expensive!
I also would buy cheap plastic bowls and those little plastic baskets. But
most of the rest of the stuff that the dollar stores in those days was total
junk! Weak and strange smelling cologne, poor quality cosmetics, bad
electrical stuff, pet toys and kid's toys that fell apart and were often
unsafe. Not much in the way of food. Maybe some tiny packages of off brand
cookies or candy. Those sorts of places don't seem to be around any more.
At least not in this area. But they did leave an impression in a lot of
people's minds.

The Family Dollar that we had on Staten Island did not sell any refrigerated
foods. They might now but they didn't then. My all time favorite thing to
buy there was socks. They had multi packs of girls and women's socks.
White with pink toes and heels and they were quite loose fitting, yet not
loose enough to fall off. They were the only socks that really fit well for
my daughter and my MIL. And they said they were very comfortable. They
were cheap too so I didn't get too upset if they got lost. Angela still has
a few pairs of the women's size. She liked them so well that I bought some
for her in a larger size before we moved. They are really good quality!

On Sat, 29 Jun 2013 18:00:38 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:

> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>
>Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>
>There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to check out.

Never cared for Big Lots. Much of the stuff there is off bran made in
China cheap stuff selling at prices you can get brand name for.

Dollar stores vary I've gotten some great buys in there. Some
cleaning products are good, gift bags and wrapping are less than half
the price as other stores. The one near me even has Zagnut bars once
in a while!

What bothers me though, they don't price a lot of the goods so I'm
always asking, "how much is this?"

On Saturday, June 29, 2013 6:00:38 PM UTC-7, wrote:
> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>
>
>
> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>
>
>
> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to check out.

I was never a dollar store shopper. I had the outdated notion that what was for sale would be cheap and inedible or just junk. I wanted to buy popsicle molds and a colleague told me that they had them at Dollar Tree for $1, so I decided to go and check it out.

I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at the variety of goods available. And everything is $1. Serious savings on many brand names, foods, dry goods, toys, games, dishes, plastic ware, etc. Not the junk shop I had envisioned.

I didn't even shopt the whole store thoroughly, I just went there for the popsicle molds and glanced around a bit. I will be going back to check out the whole place thoroughly.

Go and try it out. You may be pleasantly surprised just as I was.

jmcquown wrote:
>
>Not all dollar stores are the same. I buy milk and eggs at Family
>Dollar on a regular basis. It's less expensive and I don't have to
>drive 20 miles to the grocery store for basic stuff. Toilet paper,
>paper plates, paper towels. Also laundry and dishwasher detergent.
>
>That's where I buy canned butter beans (laughing) - call them limas, I
>don't care. I buy dried pasta, dried beans, lentils... They also
>sell sour cream, cream cheese, small blocks of cheese (cheddar, monterey
>jack/colby blends) and bags of shredded cheeses. Okay, we're not
>talking "gourmet" cheeses but if you want to make simple mac & cheese or
>a dip, they've got the cheese.

There are three different dollar stores in this small town; a 99¢
Store, a Dollar General, and a Dollar Store... all are somehow
surviving. None sell refrigerated perishables, we have two large
convenience stores that mainly sell gasolene but also sell groceries
and a lot of dairy. I don't buy much from those $1 stores, I
occasionally buy paper goods/office supplies, and once a year I buy my
desk calender for a buck. And they are also good for inexpensive
holiday decorations. But most of the items they sell are dreck, don't
buy their tools or electrical supplies. The 99¢ Store is privately
owned and was here first, I usually peruse their aisles as they have
the best location any store could want, it's right next to the only
liquor store for ten miles... I buy my bird suet blocks there, two for
99¢ for exactly the same suet that sells for $1.49 for one everywhere
else. And now our only supermarket (was an old Grand Union) was taken
over by Tops (a New England chain), has been totally rehabed, it's
like brand new and is now very nice to shop... still for most things
they can't come close to Walmart prices... really just comes in handy
for fill-ins and are good for their sale items... handy as it's the
only supermarket for 15 miles. Yesterday I made the trek to Walmart
and BJs, dropped more than $800 and seemed like I bought nothing much,
prices are getting astronomical.
http://www.topsmarkets.com/?S=

On 30/06/2013 12:00 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>
> I was never a dollar store shopper. I had the outdated notion that
> what was for sale would be cheap and inedible or just junk. I
> wanted to buy popsicle molds and a colleague told me that they had
> them at Dollar Tree for $1, so I decided to go and check it out.
>

Just don't count on anything that you want or need being in stock. They
are basically liquidation sales. They buy large lots of stuff cheap and
sell them cheap, and when they are gone they are gone and might not ever
be back. That being said, there may be some exceptions. W Our new
kitchen stove has the old style coil burners. The previous stoves had
solid burners or were glass tops, so I had not bought liners for years.
I had a hard time finding them. I went to a local hardware store... one
where you can get good help. The clerk looked and said they were out of
stock. She suggested that I go to the dollar store about a mile down the
road. She said they always had them and that they were a lot cheaper.


> I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at the variety of goods
> available. And everything is $1. Serious savings on many brand
> names, foods, dry goods, toys, games, dishes, plastic ware, etc.
> Not the junk shop I had envisioned.

Some of them are up to $1.25 now. Buck and a quarter stores

Big Lots has some glot

a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.

b. Big Lots can yield some good bargains if you know brands and prices. I get Wasa bread there for about 2 bucks a package. I found Balsamic vinegar for 2 bucks ( Heinz) and Lubriderm with spf 30 for 5.50 - I know it sold for about 15 bucks in drugstores. Shower gels - about 3 bucks for national brands. So, maybe the scent has been discont'd, but what the heck.
Watch out tho for dirt cheap toiletry items - the Made in China is usually in tiny, well hidden print.
They had six packs of V-8, the low salt ones, and by the time I went back the next day - gone. I wanted them for a trip.

On 30/06/2013 1:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
> a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.

I never used to either, but sometimes there are things that are easily
found there that other stores don't carry, and cheap... $1.

On 6/30/2013 11:00 AM, ImStillMags wrote:

> I was never a dollar store shopper. I had the outdated notion that
> what was for sale would be cheap and inedible or just junk. I
> wanted to buy popsicle molds and a colleague told me that they had
> them at Dollar Tree for $1, so I decided to go and check it out.
>
> I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at the variety of goods
> available. And everything is $1. Serious savings on many brand
> names, foods, dry goods, toys, games, dishes, plastic ware, etc.
> Not the junk shop I had envisioned.
>
> I didn't even shopt the whole store thoroughly, I just went there for
> the popsicle molds and glanced around a bit. I will be going back
> to check out the whole place thoroughly.
>
> Go and try it out. You may be pleasantly surprised just as I was.

Dollar Tree has excellent hair color, and for $1, you can't beat it.

Becca

"ImStillMags" > wrote in message
...
On Saturday, June 29, 2013 6:00:38 PM UTC-7, wrote:
> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>
>
>
> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me
> wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>
>
>
> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to
> check out.

I was never a dollar store shopper. I had the outdated notion that what
was for sale would be cheap and inedible or just junk. I wanted to buy
popsicle molds and a colleague told me that they had them at Dollar Tree for
$1, so I decided to go and check it out.

I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at the variety of goods
available. And everything is $1. Serious savings on many brand names,
foods, dry goods, toys, games, dishes, plastic ware, etc. Not the junk
shop I had envisioned.

I didn't even shopt the whole store thoroughly, I just went there for the
popsicle molds and glanced around a bit. I will be going back to check out
the whole place thoroughly.

Go and try it out. You may be pleasantly surprised just as I was.

=========

I love going there, not everything is great, but I find some really good
stuff at times. Only bad thing is that it's in walking distance from me and
I go past there on my morning walks, so usually have to stop in and see
what's new. A lot of times manufacturers will send their brand name things
thinking that people will try them out for a dollar, and then they will pay
the price at the supermarket if they liked it, at least that's what the
manager of our Dollar Tree told me.


Cheri

On 6/30/2013 1:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
> a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.

Recently there was a story about some guy who'd lost a lot of
weight by going on what he called the Dollar Store diet.

I thought that sounded like a really bad idea, just from my
limited exposure to dollar stores. Turns out that in some
areas, dollar stores offer fresh produce and dairy.

My experience is the same as yours, but then, some people
find great stuff at garage sales and all I see there is
junk, too.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/30/2013 1:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>> a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.
>
> Recently there was a story about some guy who'd lost a lot of
> weight by going on what he called the Dollar Store diet.
>
> I thought that sounded like a really bad idea, just from my
> limited exposure to dollar stores. Turns out that in some
> areas, dollar stores offer fresh produce and dairy.
>
> My experience is the same as yours, but then, some people
> find great stuff at garage sales and all I see there is
> junk, too.
>
> nancy
>


Our dollar store doesn't carry fresh produce, but the 99 cent store has a
great selection of fresh produce daily.

Cheri

On 6/30/2013 12:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
> a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.

Depends on what you buy. Candy for the movies, shaving creme,
electrical tape and other odds and ends for the tool box, paint rollers
and pans, brushes,air freshener, door mats, office supplies, tooth
brushes, etc.

Some dollar stores have merchandise that is packed for them (Family
Dollar). Other stores have consolidator close out and bulk purchase
merchandise (King Dollar) at really good prices.

George L

On 6/30/2013 2:39 PM, George Leppla wrote:
> On 6/30/2013 12:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>> a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.
>
> Depends on what you buy. Candy for the movies, shaving creme,
> electrical tape and other odds and ends for the tool box, paint rollers
> and pans, brushes,air freshener, door mats, office supplies, tooth
> brushes, etc.
>
> Some dollar stores have merchandise that is packed for them (Family
> Dollar). Other stores have consolidator close out and bulk purchase
> merchandise (King Dollar) at really good prices.
>
> George L

The Houston area has 16 King Dollar stores, which are my favorite. My
first visit to a dollar store was when they built a General Dollar
behind my office. It was convenient to pick up a gallon of milk or a
loaf of bread on the way home.

Becca

On Sunday, June 30, 2013 2:44:49 PM UTC-4, Nancy Young wrote:
> On 6/30/2013 1:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>
> > a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.
>
>
>
> Recently there was a story about some guy who'd lost a lot of
>
> weight by going on what he called the Dollar Store diet.
>
>
>
> I thought that sounded like a really bad idea, just from my
>
> limited exposure to dollar stores. Turns out that in some
>
> areas, dollar stores offer fresh produce and dairy.
>
>
>
> My experience is the same as yours, but then, some people
>
> find great stuff at garage sales and all I see there is
>
> junk, too.

Depends on the neighborhood and reason for the sale. Drift thru the house of a wealthy individual who died and the family just wants to clear the place out. My best wine glasses came from such a sale.

>
>
> nancy

"Ema Nymton" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/30/2013 11:00 AM, ImStillMags wrote:
>
>> I was never a dollar store shopper. I had the outdated notion that
>> what was for sale would be cheap and inedible or just junk. I
>> wanted to buy popsicle molds and a colleague told me that they had
>> them at Dollar Tree for $1, so I decided to go and check it out.
>>
>> I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at the variety of goods
>> available. And everything is $1. Serious savings on many brand
>> names, foods, dry goods, toys, games, dishes, plastic ware, etc.
>> Not the junk shop I had envisioned.
>>
>> I didn't even shopt the whole store thoroughly, I just went there for
>> the popsicle molds and glanced around a bit. I will be going back
>> to check out the whole place thoroughly.
>>
>> Go and try it out. You may be pleasantly surprised just as I was.
>
> Dollar Tree has excellent hair color, and for $1, you can't beat it.

Very few colors though. Ours look to have only those for darker hair.

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/30/2013 1:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>> a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.
>
> Recently there was a story about some guy who'd lost a lot of
> weight by going on what he called the Dollar Store diet.
>
> I thought that sounded like a really bad idea, just from my
> limited exposure to dollar stores. Turns out that in some
> areas, dollar stores offer fresh produce and dairy.
>
> My experience is the same as yours, but then, some people
> find great stuff at garage sales and all I see there is
> junk, too.
>
> nancy

Yes, I keep hearing of those. None around here though. One of our Dollar
Trees has a small selection of refrigerated and frozen foods. Most it not
stuff we would eat. I have bought cheese, I think I bought some little
frozen pizzas for my husband. They do have a few frozen meals, small steaks
for $1.

When we first moved to CA, I managed to service sometimes on food just from
Long's Pharmacy. Yes, I did go to the grocery store once in a while so
there was some fresh produce. But I had become very ill and couldn't go out
for very long or walk very far without resting. So it was about all I could
do to get to the back of the pharmacy for my prescriptions. I could get a
few basic needs in there. True, or diet had a lot of sameness for a while.
But I still got better even on that limited diet.

"George Leppla" > wrote in message
...
> On 6/30/2013 12:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>> a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.
>
> Depends on what you buy. Candy for the movies, shaving creme, electrical
> tape and other odds and ends for the tool box, paint rollers and pans,
> brushes,air freshener, door mats, office supplies, tooth brushes, etc.
>
> Some dollar stores have merchandise that is packed for them (Family
> Dollar). Other stores have consolidator close out and bulk purchase
> merchandise (King Dollar) at really good prices.

Really does vary. I don't know if it's still there but there used to be one
at the mall that sold only Asian stuff. I did get some nice, cute stuff in
there but most of what they sold was not appealing to me at all.

On Sun, 30 Jun 2013 09:00:25 -0700 (PDT), ImStillMags
> wrote:

>On Saturday, June 29, 2013 6:00:38 PM UTC-7, wrote:
>> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>>
>>
>>
>> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>>
>>
>>
>> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to check out.
>
>I was never a dollar store shopper. I had the outdated notion that what was for sale would be cheap and inedible or just junk. I wanted to buy popsicle molds and a colleague told me that they had them at Dollar Tree for $1, so I decided to go and check it out.
>
>I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at the variety of goods available. And everything is $1. Serious savings on many brand names, foods, dry goods, toys, games, dishes, plastic ware, etc. Not the junk shop I had envisioned.
>
>I didn't even shopt the whole store thoroughly, I just went there for the popsicle molds and glanced around a bit. I will be going back to check out the whole place thoroughly.
>
>Go and try it out. You may be pleasantly surprised just as I was.

We bought a bird feeder at Dollarama about 8 years ago (for $1), and
it's still going strong.

I think Dollorama is the best of the best where dollar stores are
concerned.

Doris

Dave Smith wrote:
> On 30/06/2013 1:17 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>> a. Dollar stores are 98% junk. I never darken the door.
>
> I never used to either, but sometimes there are things that are easily
> found there that other stores don't carry, and cheap... $1.
>
>


There are two Dollar Tree stores here. The south store is right next to
Aldi, and they have decent frozen strawberries, blueberries, and peach
slices, 12 oz bags. Some of the soap products are OK; you use twice as
much, but they cost 1/3 the price.

And in March they have Tax Cut federal-only software most years, instead
of paying $15 for the same thing at Walmart or Target -- but you don't
get an e-file at that price.

Bob

I buy little individual pizza crusts there, they're great when the kids need a quick snack. The spices are ok. Jams and jellies are good. Mine has a refrigerated/freezer section with a dozen eggs for $1, sliced American cheese, kielbasa, individual pizzas, etc. I like dollar stores for greeting cards and gift bags, even the largest gift bags are $1. I was the director of a food pantry for twenty years and bought cases of brand name condiments and cleaning products there. They don't replace Trader Joe's, but sometimes you just need a few cheap fillers. I also like their jarred roasted red peppers and brand name cookie and cake mixes.

We have .99 cent only stores in this part of the world. They started as a side line to liquor stores in Sunny CA where they started adding this and that and it got bigger than the main attraction. Very good place to buy all sorts off stuff. Best example I can pull up is last chow chow session and Kroger was getting a buck a piece for green bells and two bucks for the red ones. . 99 had them in four packs with whatever colors you like. They have their place in other words. Got to know what you want and how much it cost elsewhere.

"bigwheel" > wrote in message
...
>
> ;1844463 Wrote:
>> Food, spices, gadgets, cookware, disposables?
>>
>> Cheri mentioned the Dollar Tree in the off-topic thread, which made me
>> wonder if I could put dollar stores on topic.
>>
>> There is also a Big Lots store near my house that I have been tempted to
>> check out.
>
> We have .99 cent only stores in this part of the world. They started as
> a side line to liquor stores in Sunny CA where they started adding this
> and that and it got bigger than the main attraction. Very good place to
> buy all sorts off stuff. Best example I can pull up is last chow chow
> session and Kroger was getting a buck a piece for green bells and two
> bucks for the red ones. . 99 had them in four packs with whatever colors
> you like. They have their place in other words. Got to know what you
> want and how much it cost elsewhere.

Holy cow! They're never that cheap here.