Dollar stores stock plenty of deals

By Susan Taylor Martin, Times Staff Writer
In print: Monday, April 14, 2008

The small bag in the middle cost $1.29 at CVS; the bag at left came from Dollar Tree, which also stocks different sizes, all for $1.

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ADVERTISEMENT You can get great deals on discontinued cosmetics, like this nail polish. This Sharpie fine-tip permanent marker is $1 at Dollar Tree and $2.39 at CVS. Dollar Tree also stocks lots of gardening aids, including these cute gloves for $1. The wheat crackers at right taste almost identical to Wheat Thins, but cost $2 a box less. This window cleaner, made by an Oldsmar company, is as good as Windex. And for rough hands, the 8-ounce Dermasil was a steal compared to $7.99 for similar moisturizers at CVS.

For a 7-year-old on a small allowance, what better place to shop than those everything-is-a-dollar stores? Sand pail and shovel — $1! Coloring books — $1! Box of 64 crayons — $1! But as granddaughter Mya and I have discovered on our weekly visit to Dollar Tree, there are plenty of bargains for anyone looking to save a few bucks in these tough economic times. • Dollar Tree, a Virginia chain with more than 3,000 stores nationwide, has gotten some bad press over recalls of lead-based jewelry, defective glue guns and, recently, stuffed animals with parts that could choke small kids. So Mya and I steer clear of items like that, concentrating instead on name-brand cosmetics, cleaning supplies, stationery, paper goods and seasonal decorations. • Among our recent finds: Mead Security Envelopes. Soft Soap moisturizing hand soap. Bubble mailers from 3M. Panasonic AAA batteries. Our savings per item over the cost of the same or similar items elsewhere ranged from $1.19 to $3.50. • Not all name-brand items are good buys, however. Dollar Tree sells quart-sized Hefty bags eight to a carton. That's a higher unit price than you'd pay at Publix, where you get 22 bags for $2. So it pays to compare quantity and price. • And another caveat — as Mya and I found on our last trip, even items that cost $1 can quickly add up. Our bill — $51!