When To Avoid Shopping at Dollar Tree — and How To Make the Most of Your Trip (2024)

When To Avoid Shopping at Dollar Tree — and How To Make the Most of Your Trip (1)

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Dollar Tree is well-known for its low prices — only $1.25 for most items — and large array of goods. There are also many Dollar Trees throughout the country, with over 16,000 total storefront locations, making it a convenient and accessible store for people to shop at.

If you’re an avid Dollar Tree fan, you might already know that certain times and days of the week are worse to shop at than others. But if you’re not, or if you’re looking for the best time to plan your next shopping trip, here’s what you should know.

Worst Days To Shop at Dollar Tree: Saturdays and Sundays

Weekends tend to be the busiest times to go shopping, and Dollar Tree is no exception. This is primarily due to the fact that most people are off work or out of school, and so they’re running their errands or hitting up the local stores. This leads to more crowds, longer lines and potentially limited stock on the shelves.

“The worst times to shop at the Dollar Tree are during weekends, particularly in the afternoons,” said Andrew Latham, certified financial planner, managing editor at SuperMoney. “Saturdays and Sundays tend to be the busiest days when families and shoppers flock to the store. This can lead to crowded aisles, longer checkout lines and a higher likelihood of items being out of stock.”

Best Days To Shop at Dollar Tree: Weekdays

If you have some flexibility in your schedule, you may want to hit the Dollar Tree during the weekdays. Just avoid going in the late afternoon.

“Late afternoons on weekdays can be hectic due to people shopping after work or school, so it’s best to avoid those times if you prefer a more relaxed shopping environment,” Latham said.

Instead, go when the kids are still at school or people haven’t yet left their workplaces. This can help you avoid crowds and shop without feeling hassled or like you need to rush.

“The best times to shop at the Dollar Tree are typically during weekdays, especially in the morning. If you can manage to go early in the week, that’s even better,” Latham said.

If you’re looking for fully stocked shelves, you might want to go early in the week, as well.

“On Monday or Tuesday mornings, you’ll likely find the store well-stocked and organized from the weekend rush,” Latham said. “This means you’ll have a better chance of snagging the best deals and discovering new arrivals before they get picked over. Additionally, mornings are generally less crowded, allowing for a more relaxed shopping experience.”

Keep in mind that not all Dollar Tree locations receive their weekly shipments at the same time. Melissa Cid, a consumer savings expert at MySavings.com, added, “My Dollar Tree receives deliveries on Thursdays, so Friday morning is the best time to shop for all the new stock as it gets put out on display.”

Not sure when your local Dollar Tree receives their shipments? Ask the employees.

“It pays to be friendly with your local [Dollar Tree] employees, because shipments can change, and delivery days depend on each individual store,” Cid said.

Ways To Optimize Your Dollar Tree Shopping Trip

Whenever you decide to go shopping, there are several things you can do to prepare for your trip and make sure it goes smoothly. Here are just a few:

Use Coupons and Discount Codes

Even Dollar Tree sometimes has discounts.

“Before you shop at the Dollar Tree, it’s important to check for any applicable coupons or discount codes to ensure you’re getting the best deal,” said Samantha Landau, consumer expert at TopCashback. “Head to the store in advance to pick up a copy of Dollar Tree’s weekly circular, or visit their website… By looking at the items before you shop, you can compare prices and make a shopping list to save money without breaking your budget.”

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Stick To Your List

Having a shopping list can help you stick to your budget, but it won’t do as much good if you deviate from it.

“Just like any other store, it’s essential to make a shopping list before heading to the Dollar Tree. Stick to your list to avoid impulse purchases,” Latham said.

Cross-Reference Prices

“Shopping at stores like Dollar Tree can lead to substantial savings across a wide range of everyday essentials,” Latham said. While your exact savings will depend on what you buy, here’s an estimate of potential savings, according to Latham:

  • Up to 50% on household essentials
  • Up to 70% on party supplies, like balloons and decorations
  • Up to 40% on basic cleaning supplies
  • Up to 50% on personal care goods, like toothpaste and shampoo
  • Up to 70% on school and office supplies
  • Up to 60% on basic kitchen essentials
  • Up to 40% on pantry staples and snacks
  • Up to 60% on party favors and craft supplies
  • Up to 50% on basic clothing accessories, like hair ties and socks

“Even though you can [get] great deals at Dollar Tree, you can also waste money on things you don’t need or even want,” Latham said. “To maximize savings, consider making a list, check both generic and brand names, compare prices and look out for party supplies, seasonal bargains and kitchen essentials.”

Use a Cash-Back Site

To save money when shopping online, Landau suggested using a cash-back site.

“You can also stack your savings by using the right credit card when you shop,” she said. “Look into the terms of your card’s program to determine which spending categories give you the most rewards.”

Bottom Line

Although every Dollar Tree is different, the weekends are generally the worst time to go shopping, because it’s when most people go. Depending on where you live and when your local store receives its shipments, weekends might also be when the shelves are a little less full.

If you want to avoid the lines and get the most out of your shopping experience, try planning your trip on a weekday afternoon or early in the morning.

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When To Avoid Shopping at Dollar Tree — and How To Make the Most of Your Trip (2024)

FAQs

When To Avoid Shopping at Dollar Tree — and How To Make the Most of Your Trip? ›

Depending on where you live and when your local store receives its shipments, weekends might also be when the shelves are a little less full. If you want to avoid the lines and get the most out of your shopping experience, try planning your trip on a weekday afternoon or early in the morning.

What is the best day of the week to shop at Dollar Tree? ›

days of the week to hit Dollar Tree are typically Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.” On these days, Dollar Trees tend to be less crowded, since most people are busy with work or school. Many stores are also restocked over the weekend or Monday, meaning you'll find a greater selection. Of course, location matters, too.

What is Dollar Tree's strategy? ›

This strategy calls for expanding the company's multi-price assortment by over 300 items at prices above $1.25 in roughly 3,000 Dollar Tree stores by the end of the year. "Multi-price has never been about raising prices on existing items," he said.

Why do people go to Dollar Tree? ›

We're known for our “thrill-of-the-hunt” shopping experience where customers can discover new, exciting items every week, from everyday essentials to fun craft, seasonal, and party merchandise.

How to save money at the dollar store? ›

Don't purchase items that need to last

Dollar stores keep prices low by selling items that aren't built to last or for multiple uses. So, it's a great place to stock up on items like seasonal decor, paper goods or office products. But you may want to avoid picking up tech items or fragile goods with multiple parts.

What is the best day of the week to shop? ›

Wednesday is the best day of the week to go grocery shopping because stores are usually less crowded mid-week. For the freshest items, time your shop for store opening or closing.

How are things so cheap at Dollar Tree? ›

One key approach is bulk buying from suppliers. By purchasing millions of units to distribute across their numerous locations, they can acquire products at a lower cost, similar to the savings Costco offers its customers through bulk purchases. Another method dollar stores use is sourcing liquidated items.

Why is everything 1.25 at Dollar Tree now? ›

Dollar Tree raised the base price of items to $1.25 in 2021. "This year, across 3,000 stores, we expect to expand our multi-price assortment by over 300 items at price points ranging from $1.50 to $7," Dollar Tree Chairman and CEO Rick Dreiling said during the company's fourth-quarter earnings call earlier this month.

Who is Dollar Tree's biggest competitor? ›

Should you be buying Dollar Tree stock or one of its competitors? The main competitors of Dollar Tree include Target (TGT), Dollar General (DG), Big Lots (BIG), BJ's Wholesale Club (BJ), Ollie's Bargain Outlet (OLLI), MINISO Group (MNSO), Five Below (FIVE), PriceSmart (PSMT), Almacenes Éxito (EXTO), and Walmart (WMT).

What are Dollar Tree strengths and weaknesses? ›

Strengths: Robust brand presence and strategic store formats driving customer traffic and sales. Weaknesses: Increased operational costs and challenges in maintaining gross profit margins. Opportunities: Expansion of multi-price assortments and technology investments to enhance customer experience.

Why is Dollar Tree losing money? ›

For fiscal 2023, the company lost $998 million, versus a profit of $1.6 billion in 2022. The key reason for its loss is a $594.4 million charge for portfolio review, a $1.07 billion goodwill impairment charge, and a $950 million trade name impairment charge.

Is Dollar Tree raising prices again in 2024? ›

Dollar Tree is yet again not sticking to the dollar theme in its name. The company announced last month that it would be increasing the prices on items again. The official prices announced were a minimum of $1.50.

Why should you shop at the dollar store? ›

A great thing about shopping at a dollar store is that some of their products are specially packaged to be smaller. Not only does the smaller size help keep costs down, but it also means a single-person household is more likely to be able to use the product up while it's still good.

Are Dollar Tree products safe? ›

Tests revealed the presence of lead, phthalates, toxic flame retardant chemicals, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) components in colorfully-labeled children's products at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Five Below.

Who is cheaper, Dollar General or Family Dollar? ›

At Family Dollar, prices range from $1 to $10, with most inventory priced between $3 and $5. Dollar General is even pricier than its counterparts, with only a handful of items at $1 and most prices from $3 to $10, but it carries more name brands and a greater selection, Ramhold says.

Does Dollar Tree sell thank you cards? ›

The Hallmark brand long has been the gold standard for many people who enjoy sending and receiving greeting cards and thank-you notes. Dollar Tree has both.

Are all sales final at Dollar Tree? ›

Without the original receipt, items can be exchanged at the current scanned price. Refunds and exchanges are not provided for gift cards or prepaid financial cards. For online purchases: All sales are final for orders placed at DollarTree.com.

Are the prices going up at Dollar Tree? ›

Dollar Tree's CEO did say in March the increase will start in 2024 across all stores. "This year, across 3,000 stores, we expect to expand our multi-price assortment by over 300 items at price points ranging from $1.50 to $7," Dollar Tree CEO Rick Dreiling said in the call on March 13.

How do dollar stores keep prices low? ›

Purchase Cost

Dollar stores buy a lot of inventory at a time so they can sell things cheaply. Much of the inventory dollar stores purchase cost less than a $1 because they're damaged. But it's buyer beware with items like toys, which can break easily at times.

How often do you get a raise at Dollar Tree? ›

Dollar Tree gives tiny raises on an annual basis.

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