You're Wasting Money If You Buy This Kind Of Household Item At A Dollar Store

Shopping at a dollar store is always a tricky thing to do: On the one hand, you're there to get value for your money, but on the other hand, getting the wrong items will cost you more than it should down the line. A good rule of thumb to follow is to check if the item you wish to buy is traditionally sold at a higher price range. If it's suspiciously cheap at a dollar store, that would mean that certain fundamental compromises have been made. That's why buying a battery from a dollar store isn't a good idea, and why experts don't recommend using them for electronic accessories and cables, either. 

This sentiment also extends to tools. Brushes, screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, pliers, and other hardware essentials are designed to handle stress, torque, and repeated use, so when they're made with subpar materials — which is often the case with dollar store versions — they quickly lose their integrity. Apart from having to replace them earlier than you should, they could possibly even ruin expensive projects and put you at risk of injury.

It doesn't help that the price of goods are jumping across the board. Dollar Tree has been increasing prices to compete, but it's hardly keeping up with inflation. The laws of economics mean that tools will need to be even poorer quality to keep up with such price rises.

If you want to actually save money over time, your best bet is to skip the dollar store and invest in an affordable starter kit from a reputable retailer. Stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Harbor Freight all sell budget-friendly sets that hold up under real use. For instance, Walmart's Hyper Tough 118-piece kit runs about $45, Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh 53-piece set is just $11.99, and a more complete Stanley 65-piece home tool kit at Home Depot goes for around $56. Don't let these bigger upfront costs discourage you, though, because they pay off over time since you won't be replacing them every year.

Outfitting a toolbox with dollar store items — say, a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, a tape measure, and a utility knife — might cost only about $18 to $20. With replacements every year or two, and taking into account consumables like blades, you could be out more than $100 over 10 years. By contrast, a mid-range kit plus a few cheap blade replacements comes to about $76 across the same period. You also avoid the hidden costs of damaged projects or compromised safety. Brands like Craftsman and Kobalt even come with lifetime warranties, meaning you can get free replacements in the unlikely chance they break. You're not going to get that at a dollar store.

If you need a multipurpose tool for your home, you won't find a good one at a dollar store. Something like a Klein Tools 11-in-1 multibit screwdriver, which sells on Amazon for about $16, is far better value, because it's built to last and replaces several tools at once. But that doesn't mean there are no situations where dollar store tools make sense.

You could buy a tool from the dollar store if you need something disposable or temporary. For example, a cheap paint scraper, putty knife, or small clamp you plan to use once and toss afterward. You can also buy tools you use for low-intensity jobs, like a utility knife for opening packages or cutting tape. These tools can also be a smart buy if you're putting together a backup or "leave-behind" kit, like one for your car trunk. In these cases, you don't want to invest in a $60 set that might get lost or sit unused most of the year. A few $1 screwdrivers and pliers could give you basic functionality in a pinch without the steep initial price.