99 cent stores are generally fun, don't get me wrong! You always walk out with something or other. I have come across limited edition candy, different scents of my fav. soaps and shampoos and the best gift bags ever! I always come to this particular 99¢/79¢/39¢ etc...Let me say...NOTHING I bought was under $1.29 on my last trip. Strike 1.
I came in to get my annual Christmas wrapping and gift bags on a day off. A few months earlier, I had a pretty bad experience here. I was basically sent into a fragrant induced migraine and had to wait outside while my mom shopped inside. It seriously was awful. Between the potpourri, scented candles and air freshener, I was crippled in smell sickness. Strike 2.
Putting that aside, I did venture back on a weekday to get my last minute Christmas goodies. Of course I thought around 3PM on a Tuesday, would be a good time to shop. Nope. I was soooo wrong. Unsupervised kids (with their oblivious parents) were literally attacking the aisles, getting in my way and basically making this trip pretty unpleasant. At one point, an unruly tot came barreling down an already cramped aisle, knocked over an extremely heavy bottle of shampoo which painfully hit my already crippled foot. (I am sporting a huge bruise right now.) Strike 3.
The employees decide it's time to stock shelves while you are trying to just squeeze you and your arm basket by. Shopping carts should be banned here but it seems every person shopping here grabs one anyway. I gathered my things and waited on the line which I must say is thankfully quick. The cashiers are very friendly but somehow felt I was being ripped off because every item I had, was being held up for the other cashiers, as she spoke in a foreign language. She then rang the item up. Either she was making fun of me buying macaroni and cheese printed band-aids, or she was ripping me off. I walked out spending over $50 bucks on basically nothing but paper and plastic. Strike 4.
I think next year I am looking elsewhere for my cheap stuff. It generally is 3 strikes you are out. 5 strikes? I am done. read more