While not everything you buy at the dollar store is built to last, here are a few items that I've bought for a buck that are at least above-average in quality.Some of them may surprise you.

Tools - small metal hammers for small nailing jobs, screwdrivers, pliers and more; all made of sturdy metals.

Electronics - earphones; brandname batteries; clip-on book lights, hand held brick game toy and more.

Silicone kitchen tools - spatulas, spoons, trivets, tongs, spoon rests, etc.  

What have you bought for a dollar that surprised you with its quality?

 Ive bought dishtowels that last as long as others. Also Spenser brand boys clothes.  I have found good deals on specialty computer paper...labels to print, coloring books for the kids. One bad experience was spray starch. DS needed shirt quick so I ran to the dollar store. I got home and there was no nossel to spray with. I will look before buying next time. Babs

This is a little bit of a tangent but I thought I would add....

I use to work (in the Imports dept.) for a company that produced baby items such as bibs, bath towels, onesies etc. They provided items to many of the dollar stores (Family Dollar, Dollar General and Fred's). I worked on the quotes, development, quality control, etc. for these accounts. Anways, I can attest that at least for these items that you are getting pretty much the same quality you would get at Walmart, KMart or even department stores like JcPenny. The main difference is just the amount of embellishments and details. For instance, you have the same testing standards, same type of fabrics and common cotton/poly blends... you just have a simpler-looking item. We would usually work with our suppliers (in China mostly) to use fabric colors that were really common (so that we could possible use the same fabrics for other programs), stick with a typical cotton/poly blend and use very little embroidery and usually no embellishments. But the product was the same standards we used for our other programs. It's just a "simple" version.

Just thought I would throw that "insider perspective" in. I can't speak for other products and companies though....

God bless,

Julie

Well for me being in youth minstry, the dollar store is the best place for Candy and stuff for games. We shop there pretty much weekly for stuff. Also health and shower stuff is great soem great name brands there. make up for church plays and musicals. We do alot of shopping for Church at the dollar store and for our summer camp! Door prizes, balloons, Stuff to hang up in the dorms and welcome packs for campers all dollar stores. We haev two in town and between them we find just about everything we need. Also a great place for kids to pick up a cheap gift for birthday partys. Can not go wrong with a coloring book and pack of markers and a bag of candy. 3 bucks for a big gift! BEAN <><

 Maybe not surprised but pleased with the quality:

baby oil, pantene knock off 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner, tissues, cookies like shortbreads or maple leaf (my mom's favorites), most any pantry staple such as saltines, tea bags, coffee, snacks 

100% heavy cotton dish towels

packets of dishclothes

"Armor All"

"leather" steering wheel cover

and lots more!    

juju_mommy:

This is a little bit of a tangent but I thought I would add....

I use to work (in the Imports dept.) for a company that produced baby items such as bibs, bath towels, onesies etc. They provided items to many of the dollar stores (Family Dollar, Dollar General and Fred's). I worked on the quotes, development, quality control, etc. for these accounts. Anways, I can attest that at least for these items that you are getting pretty much the same quality you would get at Walmart, KMart or even department stores like JcPenny. The main difference is just the amount of embellishments and details. For instance, you have the same testing standards, same type of fabrics and common cotton/poly blends... you just have a simpler-looking item. We would usually work with our suppliers (in China mostly) to use fabric colors that were really common (so that we could possible use the same fabrics for other programs), stick with a typical cotton/poly blend and use very little embroidery and usually no embellishments. But the product was the same standards we used for our other programs. It's just a "simple" version.

Just thought I would throw that "insider perspective" in. I can't speak for other products and companies though....

God bless,

Julie

BEAN:

Well for me being in youth minstry, the dollar store is the best place for Candy and stuff for games. We shop there pretty much weekly for stuff. Also health and shower stuff is great soem great name brands there. make up for church plays and musicals. We do alot of shopping for Church at the dollar store and for our summer camp! Door prizes, balloons, Stuff to hang up in the dorms and welcome packs for campers all dollar stores. We haev two in town and between them we find just about everything we need. Also a great place for kids to pick up a cheap gift for birthday partys. Can not go wrong with a coloring book and pack of markers and a bag of candy. 3 bucks for a big gift! BEAN <><

Another thing I really like from our dollar store is the sunglasses. They are at least as good a quality as the ones I've bought from Sears for $17 (broke!) or the ones I bought on a cruise for $29 that weren't made half as well as my dollar store ones! And if I loose them (like I did once) it's not such a big deal.

 Reading glasses too. DH has taken the reading glasses to Africa to a Deaf School. He always buys a couple of pairs to take with him when he travels out of the country. Just in case, his break or get lost. Babs

babs:

 Reading glasses too. DH has taken the reading glasses to Africa to a Deaf School. He always buys a couple of pairs to take with him when he travels out of the country. Just in case, his break or get lost. Babs

Yes, I've seen those, too. Why pay more when these do the same job?

oh my - i bought this liquid called "awesome" to clean the countertops and it was wonderful. also at xmas the bags and tissue paper and dollar can of peanuts were wonderful. merchede