The Best Time To Shop at Dollar Tree for Discounts, According to Employees

Even when I go into Dollar Tree for only “one” thing, I always browse the kitchen aisle to check out the seasonal items. As a Dollar Tree expert, I know half the fun is in the discovery. Because most things cost just $1.25 to $1.50, I never paid much attention to additional discounts, until recently.

After digging through Dollar Tree employee threads on Reddit, I learned that there are ways to save even more at the low-cost store. There’s no magical discount day, but a few strategies can help you find the best deals.

The Best Time To Shop for Discounts at Dollar Tree

For the most dependable time to check for markdowns, circle the day after a major holiday on your calendar. On Reddit, employees shared that leftover holiday merchandise, including themed candy and battery-operated items, go on sale right after the holidays, like Halloween and Christmas.

If your store marks down more than candy, check for any leftover seasonal dishware, dish towels, treat containers, and serving pieces, which you can use for a themed party or tuck away for next year. Of course, popular seasonal aisles can also be picked clean before the clearance sign ever goes up.

One Redditor said their store had “almost nothing” left to mark down, while employees at other stores said they packed away most nonfood-related holiday items for the following year. If you enjoy browsing or the thrill of the hunt, it’s worth a post-holiday stop. But don’t plan on a table setting that relies on finding eight matching plates.

​Check for Food Markdowns on Regular Visits

Outside of holiday items, an assistant manager in a Dollar Tree food markdown thread mentioned marking down food as it approached its expiration date and putting it into a cart near the front of the store. “We do this on Mondays,” they said. Though a former assistant manager said they did price reductions on Saturday nights, while another commenter described prices dropping from 75 to 50 to 25 cents as dates neared. Since timing varies by location, ask staff when your store does its markdowns,

I think it’s safe to say that, on a regular trip, you might find anything from discounted snacks to shelf-stable foods and bread. So before heading to your usual aisles, it’s worth a glance around the front entrance and registers.

Make Sure It’s Really a Discount

Employees may add a markdown sticker as food nears its expiration date, so look for a clearly marked new price, clearance sign, or labeled display bin. If something isn’t clearly marked, scan it with the Dollar Tree app, or ask for a price check.

Also, don’t let the colored stickers trick you into assuming a deal. Contrary to internet lore, a red dot sticker can indicate a price change, including an increase.

Whether you’re a regular shopper, a post-holiday peruser, or a dedicated discount seeker, may the deals be with you.

Read the original article on Simply Recipes

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