Dollar Tree is one of the few companies that would seem to be truly recession-proof, after
all, it's about the only place where you can get a full bag of stuff and still get change
back from a $10 bill.
The trick with Dollar Tree, as with any budget shopper's paradise, is knowing what items
are actually worth that hard-earned dollar, and which ones are going to be disappointing
at best and downright dangerous at worst.
While Dollar Tree is widely known to be a great place to shop for household basics,
party decorations, and school supplies, there are certain items there that aren't worth
a dime, much less a dollar. One example would be its USB cables, which are reportedly prone
to failure. In fact, just skip the electronics aisle altogether. As consumer and money-saving
expert Andrea Woroch puts it,
"Most [dollar store] electronics that plug in are junk and don’t last long, especially
HDMI cords and power strips. When dealing with electronics, it’s best to purchase
from a legit electronic retailer or an online store like Amazon.com for cheaper prices."
Woroch also advises avoiding Dollar Tree's batteries, as they may leak.
Dollar Tree's toys are also reportedly a no-go. Not only are they incredibly flimsy and poorly
made, but many of them are also full of potentially harmful chemicals. In 2014, Dollar Tree had
to remove a line of toy "Clingy Darts" from its stores after the product was shown to
contain high levels of the toxic chemical phthalate. In fact, a 2015 report by the Campaign
for Healthier Solutions revealed that, in a test of 164 items from popular dollar stores,
81% of the products tested, quote, "contained at least one hazardous chemical above levels
of concern, compared to existing voluntary toy standards and mandatory toy packaging
and electronics standards."
"Ugh. Adulting is so hard."
What about Dollar Tree food? You may have heard about the chain's surprisingly edible
$1 ribeyes, which are reportedly "not terrible" if you're looking for a cheap "utility cut"
of meat to throw on the grill and add to steak sandwiches or fajitas.
Other foods from Dollar Tree, however, are reportedly not so great. The frozen burgers
are too salty and crumbly, and more bun than meat. Those small boxes of name brand cereal
on Dollar Tree shelves are typically more expensive per ounce than what you'd find at
the grocery store. And don't even bring up Dollar Tree "cheese," also known by its legal
name, "Pasteurized Process Topping."
Now, there's nothing wrong with loving cheap processed cheese-like shreds or slices like
those sold by Kraft since the '50s, but why settle for the cheapest of the cheap? If you
like inexpensive cheese-like products, more power to you, but for just a bit more pocket
change, you can get something that tastes much better at a regular grocery store.
What about adult beverages? In early 2019, a few outlets ran headlines seemingly trumpeting
the exciting news that Dollar Tree would begin carrying booze…somehow. But the fine print
told a different story. Actually, "Family Dollar"-branded stores, which are owned by
Dollar Tree, were the locations getting the libations. The booze offerings at Family Dollar
cost more than a buck and tend toward domestic macrobrews and the most basic of budget-priced
wines, and there is no alcohol to be found at Dollar Tree-branded stores.
What's on the horizon for the brand? A 2019 press release announced that Dollar Tree was
excited to introduce a concept called "Dollar Tree Plus" to its shelves. Sounds promising,
but what does it mean? It's simple: "Plus" items are known as "multi-price point products",
in other words, stuff that costs more than a buck. Dollar Tree Plus products are still
only in "select test stores," as of the making of this video, and if social media response
is any indication, they might not go beyond the initial testing stage. After all, shelves
full of items that cost more than a dollar essentially turns a Dollar Tree into a Family
Dollar…just minus all that cheap beer and wine.
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