5 Things Experts Say You Should Never Buy at Dollar General

As of September 2023, there are 19,388 Dollar General stores in the U.S., many of which are located in food deserts, which are areas with limited access to affordable, nutritious food. The big draw for customers -- other than convenience -- is low prices. As tempting as those low prices may be, there are products experts advise shoppers to steer clear of. Here are five of them.

1. Tools

Tools are not cheap, which helps explain why you might be tempted to pick up a new screwdriver or hammer at Dollar General. Dollar General tools tend to look like a steal, and there's a good reason for that. They are not the best quality.

If you're okay having a screwdriver around long enough to make a few simple repairs, go ahead and make the purchase. But if you'd like to store it away in a toolbox to be pulled out year after year, splurge on a more dependable brand. As BobVila.com says, "Tools should be sturdy and durable enough to stand up to tough work."

The best tool kits are constructed of high-quality materials and often come with a warranty. If you're in the middle of a job and the tool breaks, you should be able to replace it at little or no cost. The less money you spend replacing tools, the more you'll have to invest or save for the future.

2. Electronics

There's also a good reason electronics and electronic accessories are so stinkin' inexpensive at Dollar General. They're junk. The phone chargers and extension cords you find at a Dollar General store are not manufactured under the same rigorous standards as phone chargers and extension cords purchased elsewhere. Instead of taking a chance on an electronic gadget that will break quickly (if you're lucky) or burn the house down (if you're not so lucky), spend a little extra on a brand you know that's UL certified. It doesn't have to be the most expensive product on the market, just less likely to give you a shock or set the sofa on fire.

3. Cookware

You don't have to be Wolfgang Puck to purchase a decent set of pots and pans. You know where you're unlikely to find that decent set? That's right; Dollar General. As Marie Clark, editor of CostContessa, told Best Life Online, you're better off paying for kitchen-related items that will last longer. And you don't have to break the bank to do it. Check out Costco, Sam's Club, Target, Ikea, or Walmart for the cookware you need. You'll pay a little more upfront, but can count on having it much longer.

4. Knives

It's true that a really good chef's knife will take a bite out of your checking account. That's because a really good chef knife will last you for years (and years). Given that a quality knife is made of strong, high-carbon stainless steel, the price makes sense. However, that is not what you're likely to find at Dollar General.

It doesn't take much for a shoddy knife to cause injury. When Porch.com analyzed thousands of records from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, it found that kitchen knife injuries lead to nearly 323,000 emergency room visits annually for finger lacerations. That makes knives the most dangerous item in your kitchen, and illustrates why buying a well-made knife that won't break away from the handle is worth the cost.

Consider this: The cost of a single ER visit would likely be enough to purchase a high-quality knife set that will last for decades. In the long run, it's all about protecting your household budget.

5. Medications

When you see a name brand drug on the shelves at Dollar General, don't automatically assume it's the cheapest you can find. For example, the cost of 500 mg. Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets, 225 count at Dollar General today is $21.95. At Walmart, the same medication is $19.97. It's never safe to assume that over-the-counter (OTC) drugs at Dollar General are your cheapest option.

And if you see an OTC drug that was manufactured in a foreign country, you may want to walk on by. The FDA has no say over how those drugs are made. According to BobVila.com, the FDA has been known to send warning letters to American dollar store companies for selling drugs from foreign manufacturers due to safety concerns.

A trip to Dollar General is sort of like trying to win a stuffed animal at a carnival. It's sort of fun, but you can't always be sure of the quality of the prizes you win.