Originally Posted By DlandJB The dollar stores back east were nasty places - usually smelled like moth balls and had merch that looked like it wouldn't make it to the cash register before it fell apart. The 99 cent only stores that have been mentioned were quite a surprise to me. We always find something useful -- got glass bowls there that we used in our wedding centerpieces, and blue cloth napkins and our big altar candles there. You have to look, but they have nice surprises often
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom I love the seasonal items the Dollar Tree carries. I have bought goody bags, and candy & small toys to go in the goody bags at Dollar Trees for years. As grade mom for my DD's class it was the only way for me to afford to provide these things for 25 - 30 kids at a time. I also buy DT items to decorate at church & home.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>usually smelled like moth balls<< Is that what these stores all smell like? It's a very distinctive (or dis' stink-tive) aroma. Kind of like how every K-mart used to smell like burnt popcorn when you walked in. But these dollar stores all have the same odd, plasticy, stale smell. Maybe it's moth balls after all?
Originally Posted By LuLu Amusing posts in this topic! I've shopped at some of these outlets - mostly 99ç only. I've gotten some good deals. I really like the glass plates I got there (in 2 sizes). Then I found matching bowls at Linens n' Things! So I have a nice dinnerware set. Mostly, I'm opposed to them tho, b/c they encourage buying a lot of junk you don't need. My theme lately is buying less, and better quality if I *really* need something, so it's less wasteful and less harmful to the environment. That's something I've thought about posting a topic on lately. Why is our society so into buying all this harmful, wasteful JUNK? It's really hard to break that habit, but I haven't bought anything that's non-consumable yet this year. Yeah, they're fun, but I avoid them (and most other stores) these days.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Why is our society so into buying all this harmful, wasteful JUNK?<< One persons' junk is another person's cherished Disney pin collection.
Originally Posted By knightnfrees <<One persons' junk is another person's cherished Disney pin collection.>> LOL! Amen, my brother.
Originally Posted By BeautysBeast Ha..i could never figure out that smell the local K-mart used to have.. but by gumm it was used popcorn odor now i think back on it lol
Originally Posted By DVC_dad yeah Knarts in the old glory days had that deli up front and they served popcorn and Icee brand frozen Coke. Remember the Blue Light Special?
Originally Posted By DVC_dad you should start a "junk" thread, might bring the Spirit back for a Walmart is Satan rant.
Originally Posted By iamsally Oh gosh, after posting here I just happened upon a Dollar Tree; and low and behold came out $58 poorer. But they had cool Easter stuff for the grandkids and I needed some cleansers. And always have to buy a bottle of hot sauce for the DH.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "Kind of like how every K-mart used to smell like burnt popcorn when you walked in." Please tell me that I'm not the only one that notices that every single Target smells the same. I made some comment about it to a friend, and she looked at me like I was crazy. It's fairly distinctive, in that comforting sort of "you'll find so much stuff that you won't know what to do with all of it because it's all so nifty" sort of way.
Originally Posted By LVBelle I've actually heard that the pregnancy tests at Dollar Tree are reliable. I was going to test that theory when I was 8 months pregnant but I never made it back to one before I gave birth. I LOVE that Dollar Tree has some teaching supplies there! Learning supply stores are ridiculously expensive, it's nice to be able to get fun bulletin board stuff for a buck!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<And always have to buy a bottle of hot sauce for the DH.>>> Yes this should be a great find. I mean hot sauce gets better and better with age so that should be some REALLY great hot sauce.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<I've actually heard that the pregnancy tests at Dollar Tree are reliable. >>> I just can't quit laughing about this, and I don't even know why it strikes me as so hilarious.
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x >> LOVE that Dollar Tree has some teaching supplies there! Learning supply stores are ridiculously expensive, it's nice to be able to get fun bulletin board stuff for a buck!<< That's where I also get my teachers' gifts...either a mug already filled with chocolate, or I buy the mugs and some hot chocolate separately and make them. I also buy supplies for my daughter's teacher, too...name plates and cut outs and stuff. And pencils...I stocker her up on holiday pencils every time...she keeps a jar for the kids full of pencils, so I buy one or 2 packs all the time...and she also puts them in the treasure box.
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins I must confess I raised an eyebrow a the $1.00 pregnancy test. How on earth can someone rely on that! I got some good Hershey's chocolate bars at "Everything under a Buck." But, do you know, I find the pencils there to be too cheap with erasers that are too hard to erase. Some places, like "Lucky Loonies" (a looney is a Canadian $1.00 coin) have prices starting at a dollar and have all kinds of pricing. I get my birthday cards there and wrapping paper.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros It just now occured to me that I don't think I've ever been in a dollar store that I would consider "busy". At most, there were probalby 2 other groups in one when I've been there. I always wonder how they manage to stay in business. Does this happen to everybody, or is it just me scaring away the customers again?
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x Ours are extremely busy all the time... but you have to remember where I live...
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Ours is usually very busy, too, or maybe it just seems that way because they have one staff member on at all times. And ROFL at Trip!
