Budget-conscious shoppers in 48 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces frequent approximately 16,000 Dollar Tree stores on a daily basis.

The business, which was established in 1986, has grown rapidly by offering an assortment of random, low-cost goods all priced at around $1 each. This was bumped up to $1.25 at many locations due to global supply chain issues that occurred around the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like other bargain stores, Dollar Tree often purchases liquidated items at steep discounts and makes its margin due to high-volume sales. This means that employees are often left moving, stacking, and storing tons of boxes every few days, which can often lead to frustrated workers airing their grievances with the chain’s workflow on social media.

Dollar Tree customers have complained about the “cramped” nature of some of its stores, as shoppers may often find it difficult to walk comfortably through the aisles of the store due to the sheer volume of boxes blocking their pathways.

Many budget stores like Dollar Tree have become increasingly popular due to a worsening U.S. economy that saw record-high levels of inflation in the summer of 2022, which led shoppers to turn to the store for groceries. As a result, it appears that in some markets, Dollar Tree stores have bolstered its supermarket offerings, giving customers a place to not only purchase low-cost various and sundry items, but food for themselves and their families as well. 

Several of these shoppers have taken to the internet to share their cost-saving hacks—while others have roasted the store for its disorganized aisles. Even Dollar Tree employees have shared posts on the working conditions that lead to such shopping experiences.

Woman talking(l+r), Dollar Tree store(c)

‘You guys are mentally ill’: Woman says Dollar Tree worker called her ‘sick in the head’ after she told her she’s getting married

‘I would be filing a complaint.’

On by Rachel Kiley

Dollar Tree shopper can’t believe what Hillshire lunchables looks like

‘The packaging says it’s good until August 2024’: Dollar Tree shopper can’t believe what Hillshire Snacking Small Plates looks like

‘The packaging say it’s good until August 2024.’

On by Brooke Sjoberg

Hack(l+r), DOllar tree sign(c)

‘My resume will include HVAC technician once I do this’: Mom shares Dollar Tree hack for getting air to children in the back of car

‘That’s your mommy instincts kicking in.’

On by Jack Alban

Dollar Tree shopper finds dupes

‘I think my dollar tree is broken’: Dollar Tree shopper finds dupes for The Ordinary, Sun Bum, OLAY in beauty section

‘All my dollar tree have is a long line and 1 cashier.’

On by Brooke Sjoberg

hand holding box with caption 'Dollar Tree Test Booster?' (l) Man in front of Dollar Tree with caption 'Pharmacist reviews Dollar Tree medications' (c) hand holding back of box of 'testosterone booster' ingredients (r)

‘You should never buy this’: Pharmacist shares which medications you should not buy at the Dollar Tree

On by Nina Hernandez

Pharmacist shares which medications you should buy from Dollar Tree, which you should avoid

‘This is the best product Dollar Tree has. I use it myself’: Pharmacist shares which medications you should buy from Dollar Tree, which you should avoid

‘I’ve always wondered about their medications.’

On by Ljeonida Mulabazi

Woman looking frustrated(l+r), Dollar Tree(c)

‘You in Dollar Tree wanting Target service’: Customer confronts Dollar Tree manager for refusing to open a second register

‘When does Dollar Tree ever have more than one line open?’

On by Braden Bjella

Dollar Tree shopper finds Target dupes in the beauty and home section

‘I used the Target app to compare prices’: Dollar Tree shopper finds e.l.f., AirWick, Vaseline products for $1.25

‘None of my local dollar trees look like this.’

On by Phil West

woman showing bottles of water with caption 'blue heart emoji equals water has been collected from a spring' (l) 'keep this in mind when Tori buying water at your local convenience stores' (c) 'white heart emoji equals water emoji in the bottle was processed' (r)

‘Keep this in mind when you’re buying water at convenience stores’: Dollar Tree shopper shares what the different cap colors on water bottles mean

‘I’ll just be reading the ingredients.’

On by Braden Bjella

hand holding raspberry preserves (l) dollar tree storefront (c) english muffins (r)

‘The Texas Toast is so versatile’: Dollar Tree shopper reveals 6 grocery items that are ‘cheaper than they are at Walmart’

‘Honestly so grateful and impressed at selection lately!!’

On by Ljeonida Mulabazi

Dollar Tree(l), Man(c), Box of items(r)

‘So, don’t buy off Amazon, got it!’: Man buys items for 63 cents at Dollar Tree, resells them on Amazon for $9.99

‘This is an act of capitalism that I do hate.’

On by Stacy Fernandez

woman in car with caption 'Dollar Tree Employees & Managers are not putting popular items out on the floor to be sold!!!' (l&r) Dollar Tree sign (c)

‘The box is full of them’: Dollar Tree shopper warns of workers hiding items in the back after they refused to sell her in-stock items

“The employees hold all the ‘good stuff’ in the back.”

On by Braden Bjella

amazon reseller page (l) woman holding cans of energy drink in store (c) woman cutting shipping label (r)

‘This is simply inconsiderate and selfish’: Viewers divided after woman shares what it’s like to be a Dollar Tree reseller

‘People shop at the Dollar Tree because they can’t afford anything else.’

On by Natasha Dubash

Dollar Tree store worker blasts customers who blame them for price increase

‘Literally 85% of the store is still $1.25’: Dollar Tree worker blasts customers who blame them for price increase

‘It’s like people lack any form of comprehensive skills.’

On by Braden Bjella

Customer calls out Dollar Tree for raising prices to target ‘higher income’ audience

‘I stopped going after the 1st price hike’: Customer calls out Dollar Tree for raising prices to target ‘higher income’ audience

‘If I’m shopping at dollar tree I’m not rich.’

On by Phil West

The Daily Dot