10 Things You Should Never Buy at the Dollar Store in Pennsylvania

We all love a good deal, right? Walking into a Pennsylvania dollar store can feel like you hit the jackpot—aisles full of stuff for cheap, and you’re thinking, “Hey, why not?”

While we love a good dollar store run, here’s the thing… not everything at the dollar store is actually worth the dollar (or $1.25 or even $5 now, honestly).

Some of it just isn’t safe, or it breaks before you even get a chance to use it. So, before you fill your cart with things that seem like steals, there are a few items you might want to skip.

First Things First

Just to be clear—we’re not calling out one specific store here. Whether it’s Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, or some local place with “dollar” in the name, this advice covers all of ’em.

Also, let’s be real—most of these stores don’t even stick to the “everything’s a dollar” line anymore.

Several years ago, you could walk in and grab anything for a buck. Now, stuff is $1.25, $3, $5… you name it. So it’s not just about the low price anymore. The question is: are you actually getting your money’s worth, or are you buying something you’ll toss in the trash two days later?

We’re not saying dollar stores are bad. You can definitely score some solid stuff there. But these are some of the things that, in our humble opinion, you’re better off buying somewhere else.

Don’t Bother With Electronics

You know those phone chargers or earbuds sitting on the shelf? Yeah… they look handy, but much of the time, they’re junk.

Either they don’t work right, or they break faster than you can say “low battery.”

Also, any electrical gadget can come with fire risks, so it’s worth investing a little extra money in something that’s likely higher quality elsewhere. For example, in 2022, Dollar Tree recalled more than one million hot glue guns because of fire and burn hazards.

So, if your tech is important to you (and let’s be honest, it is), spend a little more and get something that may have a lower chance of frying your phone—or your nerves.

Watch Out for Old Canned Foods

The canned food aisle might have some name brands that make you think, “Score!” But take a closer look.

A lot of that stuff is really close to expiring. You might not even notice it until it smells or tastes off at dinner.

Even though canned stuff lasts longer than fresh food, it doesn’t last forever. Some of those cans have been sitting around for a while.

And if you see dents or bulges?

Just nope. That’s a hard pass.

Better bet? Grab your canned goods from a grocery store that rotates its stock faster. Aldi usually has good prices, and the cans are almost always a good distance from their expiration dates.

Kids’ Toys That Are Questionable

If you’ve got kids, you know they can get excited about anything. A new toy for a buck? They’re thrilled (and you probably are too).

But many of the toys at dollar stores aren’t made well. They may fall apart fast, and sometimes little pieces break off, which is super dangerous for little ones.

When it comes to kids, it’s better to “play” it safe.

Wait for a sale at Target or check the clearance section at Walmart. You’ll likely get something that lasts longer.

Flimsy Kitchen Tools

You might see a spatula or veggie peeler and think, “Oh cool, I need that!” But the kitchen gear at dollar stores?

It’s often made from really cheap plastic or metal. Try flipping pancakes with one of those spatulas and you’ll be scraping melted plastic off your pan.

Some of them bend when you use them, or the handles snap off mid-use. Super fun when you’re trying to cook dinner and your tool gives up on you… not.

If you cook even a little, go for kitchen tools that can actually handle heat and pressure. Stores like IKEA or Walmart often have decent ones that won’t fall apart in your pasta water.

Medicine and Vitamins

If you’re on a tight budget, talk with your doctor about this one. But personally, we prefer not to mess around with medicine and vitamins from the dollar store.

Some of it is from off-brand companies you’ve never heard of, and it might not work the way it’s supposed to.

There have even been cases where the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to Dollar Tree stores due to unsafe drugs. That’s not something you want to gamble on when you’re trying to stop a headache or fight allergies.

Stick with brands you know. CVS, Walgreens, even Walmart’s generic stuff is often way more trustworthy. Your health is worth more than a $1 gamble.

Batteries That Die Too Fast

Buying batteries at the dollar store seems like a good idea… until you realize they only last about a day.

Seriously, they run out fast, and some could even leak inside your gadgets.

Leaky batteries can ruin your remote, flashlight, or whatever else you put them in. And trying to clean out that battery goo? Nope. Not fun. Not worth it.

Go for name-brand batteries when you can—Energizer, Duracell, whatever. They cost more up front, but they’ll save you money (and your electronics) in the long run.

Cheap Makeup Can Be Trouble

If you’ve ever thought about grabbing that $1 eyeliner or lipstick from the dollar store, we get it. But here’s the deal: a lot of these products contain ingredients that have the potential to mess up your skin.

There have even been reports of dollar store makeup containing lead or other sketchy chemicals.

So, yeah. You might save money, but you could also end up with a rash or breakout—or worse.

If you want budget-friendly beauty, try travel sizes or wait for drugstore sales. You can find solid stuff that won’t leave your skin in ruins.

Tools That Give Up on You

Need a screwdriver or wrench in a pinch? You might be tempted to grab one from the dollar store. But most of them are made with soft, cheap metal that bends or snaps when you use them.

Even if it looks heavy-duty, chances are it won’t hold up during a real job. Some break the first time you twist a screw—and that’s not just annoying, it’s dangerous.

Basic tools don’t have to cost a fortune. Head to a hardware store or even Walmart and grab a starter set.

It’ll likely last way longer, and you won’t get stuck mid-project.

Pet Food with Mystery Meat

We all love spoiling our pets, but the treats and food from dollar stores? Meh.

The quality is usually pretty low. Some of it has been found to contain fillers, chemicals, or stuff you probably don’t want your pet eating.

It’s not exactly something you want to take a chance on when it comes to your fur baby.

Stick with brands your vet recommends, or look for natural treats made in the U.S. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but you do want to know what you’re feeding your pet.

Cleaners That Don’t Really Clean

That $1 spray bottle might smell nice, but it might not actually kill germs or clean anything very well. Dollar store cleaners are sometimes watered down, so you end up using way more just to get the job done.

Some don’t disinfect at all, even if the label makes it sound like they do. So if you’re wiping down your counters thinking they’re germ-free, you might be in for a surprise.

You can find solid cleaners at places like Aldi, Target, or Walmart that actually work—and they’re still pretty cheap.

Just check the label and make sure it’s the real deal, not some knockoff that smells like lemons but cleans like water.

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