A bargain isn’t really a bargain if a product breaks, fails, or needs replacing quickly, which is why these items stood out in our shopper survey on buying at dollar stores in Canada.
Batteries
Batteries tend to be one of the most popular complaints against dollar stores. While they might seem like a great deal, they just don’t last as long as bigger brand-name batteries.
You’ll find yourself replacing them twice as often, particularly when they’re used in high-drain gadgets like toys, flashlights, wireless keyboards and game controllers. Your perceived savings at the register disappear when you’re constantly buying more.
Phone chargers
The charging cables and wall adapters sold at dollar stores might work at first, but they’re generally not designed to stand up to daily use.
Frayed cables, loose connectors and absurdly slow charging speeds are common with ultra-budget chargers. We rely on our phones so much every day that it’s usually worth it to spend a little more on something you know will work.
Kitchen knives
A good kitchen knife should stay sharp, glide through things easily and feel comfortable and safe in your hand. A lot of knives from dollar stores tend to be dull quickly. Not only will cutting up your food take longer, but it also becomes more of a hassle. Some feel loose when held because the handles are lightweight.
Extension cords
Believe it or not, there are products you want to spend money on when it comes to electrical items. Sure, inexpensive extension cords may look just like expensive ones, but they probably aren’t designed for extended or heavy use.
When plugging in computers, TVs, video game consoles, and other expensive electronics, you’re better off investing in a higher-quality item.
Non-stick pans
The problem with cheap cookware is that it doesn’t tend to last very long. Cheap non-stick pans will start to scratch, peel, or come loose after short amounts of time.
Once that protective coating starts to wear off, you’ll find that foods stick to the pan and it becomes annoying to cook with. Spend a little more money on pans so you won’t have to replace them as often.
Headphones
Cheap headphones can be frustrating, whether you’re listening to music, watching videos, or taking calls. Audio quality can be flat or tinny, and cords break or the earbuds themselves fail after months of use.
You’ll likely go through more than one or two pairs over time, which ends up costing you more than buying a good set initially would have.
Plastic food containers
Dollar store plastic containers might seem like a good deal when you’re loading up on containers for meal prep or leftovers. However, they don’t often hold up over time.
They can crack from just a few drops, stain from sauces, or melt with heat. Storage also becomes annoying when lids no longer fit after being washed and used a few times.
Cosmetics and skincare
Dollar stores have improved their selection of recognizable name-brand cosmetics lately, but avoid the nameless generic bottles of liquid makeup, foundation, and skin cream at all costs.
They sometimes contain extreme preservatives, artificial fragrances, or heavy parabens known to cause intense allergic reactions, breakouts, or chemical burns when applied to the skin.
Adhesives and tape
There’s nothing worse than trying to use packing tape that doesn’t stick or glue that dries up before using it. Whether you are moving, gift wrapping, working on crafts or patching things up around the house, cheap adhesives are more frustrating than helpful. A lot of people find that spending a few extra bucks buys you glue and tape that actually lasts.
Children’s toys
We’ve all gone to the dollar store and loaded our cart up with inexpensive toys for the kids, but chances are those toys didn’t stand the test of time.
Most dollar store toys are made with the intention of being impulse buys and aren’t built to last. Plastic breaks, batteries don’t last, and moving parts usually stop functioning within a short period of time.
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