I have no idea why this is listed in the "furniture" category, but whatever.
I am a HUGE evangelist about Dollar Tree. This place stocks more than just knickknacks: they have a HUGE selection of cleaning products, candles, snack foods, and other sundries that are off-brand but high quality. I get our laundry detergent, fabric softener, dish soap, and paper goods from Dollar Tree. They also carry kitchen items and gadgets, automotive items, pet supplies, beauty items (I stay away from the cosmetics and skin care but they usually have name-brand toothpaste, which I snap up), and everything else! Greeting cards? Got 'em. Seasonal items? Got those. Storage? Yep. Frozen foods? Testify.
One of the neater things about Dollar Tree is that you can place orders on their website and have them delivered to this location FOR FREE. So, you know that you're getting the quantities you want AND you don't pay for shipping! It's a win-win.
The one thing I would recommend you AVOID are the garbage bags. I always keep a box or two on hand in case I run out, but these bags are really sort of thin and pathetic. They'd be fine for a wastepaper basket or bathroom trash, but for our busy kitchen the plastic is just too easily ripped. I try to stick with bags from the grocery store.
It's important to remember that brand names often don't do anything special except jack up the price. For example, you know those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers that are about three bucks a pop? You can get the generic kind here for a DOLLAR and it works just as well. I even buy the ones that fit on my mop and go to town on my floors. I have six cats and believe me, those floors need a LOT of frequent attention.
In the interest of fairness I should point out that Dollar Tree normally does not carry fancy organic products or completely biodegradable cleaning supplies. If you can afford to pay $14 for laundry detergent, more power to you. Sometimes I spluge and head to Whole Foods to pick up some Ecover products. However, I simply don't have the financial wherewithal to only shop for natural cleaning products. I look forward to the day when I do, but for now? Dollar Tree.
The staff are friendly and efficient. I'm usually there in the late morning or early afternoon, so there's only one or two registers open, but they keep the lines moving quickly. They may have more staff during peak times; I just haven't been in the store at those times so I can't comment on it.
Watch yourself in the parking lot. The lanes are directional, meaning that some lanes you're supposed to drive towards the buildings and some you're supposed to only go in the opposite direction. The arrows on the pavement are pretty faded, however, and lots of people ignore them or just don't see them. As always, stay alert, particularly when the farmer's market next door is open- this increases the foot traffic in the complex significantly. read more