8 Dollar Tree Items Frugal People Never Buy

If you’re a frugal shopper, you might frequent discount retailers like Dollar Tree. After all, nearly everything is $1.25, a deal that’s hard to find anywhere else.

But sometimes, the cheap price tag also reflects in the poor quality of whatever item you’re getting. This is especially true when it comes to one-time use items, electronics and certain home goods.

Here are some of the top items frugal people never buy at Dollar Tree — and why you might want to avoid them, too.

Dollar Tree has chips, cookies, crackers, trail mix, candy and other snacks. Whether you want something sweet or salty, you’ve got options.

The downside is that the price of these snack items isn’t always lower than what you’d get somewhere else.

“If you like to stock up on your favorite snack food at Dollar Tree, make sure the price is actually lower than at the grocery store,” said Erika Kullberg, personal finance expert, budgeting expert and founder of Erika.com. “It’s not a guarantee that Dollar Tree offers the lowest prices, especially if other stores are running special promotions that can result in good savings.”

Dollar Tree sells all sorts of batteries, including lithium button cells and heavy duty batteries. But while these might seem like a great buy, more budget-conscious shoppers tend to steer clear.

These batteries usually cost $1.25, but you also typically only get a couple of batteries per pack. This makes the cost per unit higher than what you might find elsewhere.

Plus, off-brand batteries don’t always last as long as other options. Buying Dollar Tree batteries could mean multiple shopping trips to get replacements.

Dollar Tree has some health and beauty products that are worth purchasing — like lip balm, bandages or cotton swabs. But if you’re looking for something of higher quality or that lasts longer, like makeup or toothpaste, be cautious.

Certain cosmetic products at Dollar Tree may contain ingredients that irritate your skin or don’t have the desired effect. Others, like toothpaste, may be from a recognizable brand but end up costing more per unit than what you’d get somewhere else.

Avoid purchasing vitamins or supplements at Dollar Tree, too. Unless you’re confident in the quality of what you’re getting, you could end up with something that either doesn’t work at all or that doesn’t do what it’s supposed to.

For the frugal shopper, it’s probably best to avoid most small electronics at Dollar Tree. The exception is if you don’t need them to last.

“Dollar Tree can really come in handy is those purchases you don’t intend to keep,” said Kullberg.

Say you need a cheap phone charger while on vacation, because you left yours at home. You can buy one at Dollar Tree and discard it later. But if you’re hoping for something that’ll last, you might be disappointed.

Dollar Tree can be a great place to shop for basic pantry supplies or kitchen staples. But frugal shoppers tend to avoid perishable items since, in many cases, they’re already approaching or past their expiration date.

Always check the expiration dates before adding anything to your shopping cart. If you’re not confident you’ll use it before it goes bad, you’re better off leaving it on the shelf.

“You also want to avoid making impulse purchases just because the prices at Dollar Tree are so low,” said Kullberg. “It may seem harmless, but $1 here and $5 there can add up fast, especially since many items at Dollar Tree cost more than $1 these days.”

Common impulse buys include snacks, knickknacks and seasonal décor.

Many Dollar Trees have simple household tools, like hammers and screwdrivers. The problem with these items is that they don’t often last.

If you plan to use the tool for a long time, it might be better to spend a little more now on something you can use for years to come.

You can get some decent toys and games at Dollar Tree. But remember to check the quality of whatever you’re getting before heading to the checkout line.

Simple coloring books, crayons, puzzle books or playing cards tend to be fine. But certain, more complex options might easily break due to poor construction.