Shop Smart Magazine by Consumer Reports

Sept. 2009 issue looks into dollar stores and the value of them by Lisa Lee Freeman. She finds that most items are not safe, on the recall list, low quality. She also discovered that the return policies makes it hard to shop there. She finds that the best things to buy there are aluminum foil, wrapping paper, gift items, foods, frozen foods, party supplies and cotton rounds. Another alternative is to order online. She said that you should NOT buy tissue paper, lighters due to safety hazards and also look at the package to see the choking hazards on toys and most other products. So, buyer beware is the main thing.