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SMALL BUSINESS
Dollar Store Steals & Dangers
Previous-
David Rogowski, AOL
Dollar Store: A Deal or Not?
Dollar stores offer a lot of great deals, but not everything you find on dollar store shelves should end up in your shopping cart.
Consumer Reports tested popular dollar store buys and came up with a list of deals and a list of dangers. Find out which items to buy and avoid at the dollar store ...
Next: See Deals and Dangers -
Dollar Store Deal: Cleaning Products
Why spend $6 on name-brand carpet cleaner, up to $4 for disinfectants and even more for cleaning wipes?
If you can avoid the lure of convenience shopping, heading to the dollar store for cleaning products could land a few steals from grocery store prices.
Next: But Beware Buying ... -
Charley Gallay, Getty Images
Dollar Store Danger: Electrical Products
Consumer Reports found that electrical products such as light strings and extension cords aren't up to regulation and may pose a fire hazard.
A standardized extension cord can be found at the local grocery store for just a couple more bucks. Paying for safety pays.
Next: Here's a Deal ... -
Alex Wong, Getty Images
Dollar Store Deal: Snacks
Most dollar stores pass savings on to consumers by buying surplus items at below market prices. One sector with surplus seems to be the snack industry.
These tightly sealed, well-preserved food items have a long shelf life and offer superb dollar deals, especially for school lunch boxes.
Next: But Beware Buying ... -
Dollar Store Danger: Vitamins
Vitamin supplements are not regulated by the FDA. There is no way to confirm the ingredients or ratios listed on labels.
Consumer Reports tested several vitamin bottles from dollar stores and discovered that these did not contain nutrients that were printed on labels.
Here's one product where brand matters.
Next: Here's a Deal ... -
Dollar Store Deal: Hair Products
Have you ever noticed how a couple personal products thrown in your grocery cart can hurt the bottom line?
If you're willing to experiment with non-designer brands, products such as shampoo and hair spray can be picked up at a steal from dollar stores.
Next: But Beware Buying ... -
Amy Sancetta, AP
Dollar Store Danger: Imitation Toothpaste
Remember the recall of Dentamint toothpaste and imitation Colgate a few months ago. Many dollar stores carried these products.
Also before buying any product that may be ingested orally or even absorbed through the skin, check expiration dates?
Next: Here's a Deal ... -
Dollar Store Deal: Food Containers
Food containers keep cereal and nuts fresh longer and are a great alternative to messy flour bags and leaky foil for storing leftovers. These items can cost $5 to $8 for non-disposable plastic containers.
Save money and shop for this deal.
Next: But Beware Buying ... -
Monika Nikore, AOL
Dollar Store Danger: Lunch Containers
Here's where dollar store shopping can get tricky. While cheap food containers have been found safe and non-toxic, food take-out containers and vinyl lunch boxes are not a safe bet.
According to Consumer Reports, the vinyl containers tested positive for trace amounts of lead, which can be transferred to food and skin.
Next: Here's a Deal ... -
Chris Corder, AOL
Dollar Store Deal: Kids' School Supplies
Looking to shave the family's back-to-school budget? Check the local dollar store for deals on these supplies. A 64-pack of crayons sells for nearly $3.50 retail price, full-size scissors run up to $6 and a calculator can cost another $6.
Next: But Beware Buying ... -
Cassandra Shie, AOL
Dollar Store Danger: Kids' Toys
These toys might look similar to gadgets found at brand-name retail stores, but consider the age of the child to receive the toy. Some toys that contain small parts or sharp edges may not be properly labeled.
Next: More Money Features -
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Dollar Store Quiz
Shampoo and cleaning products aren't the only dollar store buys. See if you can guess which items cost a buck.
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