Dollar Store Dangers

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By Heather Reese

Summary

Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine says it's easy to lapse into a bargain-hunting frenzy in a dollar store, but shop with care.

Story Published: Jul 15, 2009 at 5:15 PM PST

While retailers are suffering their worst downturn in more than 20 years, dollar stores are hiring and even building new stores. Higher-income shoppers who weren't dollar-store fans before are checking them out now.

Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine says it's easy to lapse into a bargain-hunting frenzy in a dollar store, but shop with care. When Consumer Reports' safety czar Don Mays stopped by a local dollar store, he found many items that are unsafe at any price. For example, balloon whistle party favors are a real choking hazard. And he found potentially harmful bubbles, packaged in what looks like a baby bottle, as well as a toy skateboard that is actually a cigarette lighter.

When safety is not an issue, how do dollar stores stack up for savings? ShopSmart magazine dispatched mystery shoppers nationwide, to compare prices of 11 common household items—with the cost of similar items at supermarkets, drug and discount stores—like CVS, Walmart or Target. Some things clearly cost less, like aluminum foil, three cents a square foot, compared to eight. But in the case of birthday candles, they were both the cheapest and most expensive at dollar stores.

So when shopping at a dollar store…consider safety AND savings…so you won't find yourself being penny wise…and "dollar" foolish.

Overall, Consumer Reports ShopSmart found dollar stores to have some of the best deals on party supplies, like napkins, plates and especially wrapping paper. But don't expect a good selection. You may only find one type at a dollar store versus a big assortment at stores like Target.