16

Things You Should Never Buy

at the Dollar Store

The reason good knives are expensive is that you’re paying for quality—high-carbon stainless steel blades—something dollar store knives are not known for.

1. Knives

You’re better off purchasing metal, bamboo, or BPA-free plastic spatulas and spoons from a trusted retailer.

2. Plastic Kitchen Utensils

The FDA has been known to send warning letters to dollar store companies for selling over-the-counter drugs from foreign manufacturers.

3. Medicine and Vitamins

Even if a generic beauty product uses the same ingredients as a brand-name item, it may be using cheaper versions of those ingredients, which can be a problem for those with sensitive skin.

5. Makeup

Sunscreen is another product that can include harmful “forever” chemicals, which is why sticking with well-known brands just makes good sense.

6. Sunscreen

Cheap, off-brand toys could contain forever chemicals or other toxins.

7. Toys

Dollar store electronic accessories break quickly, and can end up damaging your phone, computer, television, and other gear.

9. Electronic Accessories

Unfortunately, many dollar store varieties are made of thin, cheap material that can’t shield your fingers from hot cookware.

10. Oven Mitts

Dollar store umbrellas are often flimsy, too small, and not designed with an ergonomic handle.

12. Umbrellas

Budget jewelry may contain cadmium, a cheap metal used to make low-cost baubles.

13. Jewelry

To make these types of baby products cheaper, manufacturers use ingredients with toxins such as bisphenol A (BPA).

14. Baby Products

According to Michael Bonebright, former senior editor at Dealnews.com, dollar stores may stock brand-name items in smaller quantities than other stores.

15. Paper Products

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