Dollar Tree

For the record, this is a «Dollar Tree,» and opened sometime around 2001. I was there the day it opened and continue to visit there sporadically, with a varying degree of satisfaction and service over time.
My initial reaction to the Dollar Tree was very positive. They sell everything for a dollar– snacks, soda, lotions, holiday decorations, small appliances, stationaries, you name it. If its an inexpensive useful everyday item, such as pens or a party balloon, they probably carry it. You never quite know what your going to find, as random lots of DVDs or specialized items will sometimes pop up. Some items are priced below a dollar, such as certain candy bars and greeting cards, which are marked at two for a dollar. Just within the past year they’ve added a refrigerated section for ice cream, pizza and frozen dinners. One of my favorite bargains are the movie candy boxes.
Of course, certain products are more trustworthy than others. There’s a difference between buying a bag of chips for a dollar and a can of hair dye or a pair of underwear (yes, they have sold underwear). Use your judgment here– if its too cheap to be true, often it is. I’ve seen paper-​thin suit jackets for sale here that felt like they’d disintegrate if ever worn. One time a while back I picked up a set of defective battery-​powered trains. But for just a dollar, its hard to go wrong. And most of the product they sell here is a bargain considering the price, even if there is shady junk thrown in here and there.
My main qualms with this Dollar Tree however are with the employees and, at times, the apparent disregard for customer service. I hadn’t experienced any problems with service until about three or four years ago when management changed. At some point as a regular shopper I found the employees less friendly, the store less clean and the ceiling lights dimmer. Often at slower times during the day and evening I would be standing at the checkout line ignored while a gang of several employees would be huddled behind an aisle, complaining amongst themselves about their boss, management, the store and even customers. There would always be one or two employees right outside the door smoking.
The manager at the time once stopped me on my way out of the store to check my bag and receipt, despite having just been rung up moments ago by her. From that moment on, every time I entered the store this manager would call for extra employees to watch over me as soon as she discovered me. One time two employees were sent to guard the door. I understand the need for loss prevention from the store’s point of view, but why she suspected me and why all of this was acted out so indiscreetly is beyond me. This only occurred under this specific manager. Eventually I spoke to an assistant manager about the issue and was given a roundabout answer. Not long after I witnessed the same proceedings take place with another customer. This went on for about nine months; later on I was told that the manager had been fired for racial profiling.
The Dollar Tree still has the same bargains as before, but for the past few years I’ve tended to avoid this store. A good rule of customer service is to never let the customer leave unhappy– I left the Dollar Tree too many times feeling unwelcome and regretful for even continuing to give them my patronage. I give the Tree a solid star however for there prices and product, the only thing thats compelled me to come back here and there.

I’m trying hard to understand this Store. I can’t even see where it would work for a family on a very tight budget.
They sell everything for $ 1.00. They are paying overhead costs, employees and opening up new stores everywhere. They are making a profit.
They sell JUNK. Save your DOLLARS! This store does not justify the «bargains» you think you are getting.

DJ M makes a compelling case. BUT…
DUDE! wake up and smell the (whole can for a dollar of) coffee. it’s the dollar store! everyone knows it’s junk.
you REALLY have to root around for the bargains there. and there are a couple.:
— name brand dishsoap: yeah, they forgot to put the fragrance in it. who cares? like i need to be swept into an orange grove while scrubbing a sauté pan. savings of roughly 50%
–aluminum cookware (like broiler pans): show me the difference. i use it once and toss it. not exactly «green», i know, but honestly… savings of at least 50%
–glitzy bags (to put your gifts in for your girlfriend, or kids): have you purchased one of these at the hallmark store, lately? savings of at least 100%.
–toilet paper. often 2 for $ 1. i’m not going to comment any further on this.
–dental floss: i can’t believe that people think one is better than the other. it’s a length of friggin skinny string. savings of like 100%.
–kids toys: this is the ultimate NO BRAINER. a buck to make some little kid happy for 20 minutes (which coincidently, is the length of time that dollar store toy will last AND roughly the outside length of time of most kids attention span). one caveat– beware of chinese lead paint. it’s delicious and can be habit forming, right up until death.
i’m not advocating buying a defibrillator, insulin, or a replacement air bag for your car from the dollar store, have some common sense, but for 1 time use or disposable products. hell yeah! the dollar store rules. i NEVER seem to get out of there for less than, like… $ 2.