The Absolute Best Days And Times To Shop At Dollar Tree

With shoppers feeling the ever-increasing cost of living, discount stores like Dollar Tree can become frequent, if not essential, stops. And large influxes of shoppers bring both crowds and sold-out items. But, with a little thinking ahead, you may be able to avoid the brunt of both headaches. 

A Dollar Tree employee commented on Reddit that corporate policy requires all deliveries to be on the sales floor within 48 hours of arrival. This tracks with an experienced Dollar Tree shopper who recommended waiting two days after your store's last delivery, whenever that may be. Unfortunately, delivery days are not uniform across the brand and can even be somewhat irregular at the same store. Your best chance is to ask an employee when the truck normally comes and plan accordingly, keeping in mind that weekends are likely to be more crowded than weekdays.

The best shopping hours are somewhat more straightforward. Weekday mornings are often less crowded at Dollar Tree, any time before the post-work rush begins, but especially right after the store opens. Afternoons can be a mixed bag as people begin to leave work or school, though you may miss the crowds as late as 2 pm. Be sure to make local considerations as well: a Dollar Tree in a churchgoing community is likely to be deserted on Sunday morning, for example. Think about when your neighbors are likely to be occupied, and plan your shopping trips then.

Shopping at a smart time, whatever that may be locally, is one of the must-know rules for buying food at Dollar Tree. But it is far from the only thing that needs to be considered. Shopping around at different stores is also worth your while, as inventory may differ slightly — but so too might delivery days and best hours, so it may require some reconnaissance to make the best buys at multiple Dollar Trees.

As persistent as the crowds is the myth that Dollar Tree does not sell name-brand food. It does, though, part of the business model is buying items that may be closer than usual to their best-by date. And shopping close to a store's delivery day can ensure that you make the most of that limited eating window by getting the product as soon as possible.

Smart shopping also increases your chances of buying surprisingly good products before they sell out. Dollar Tree has some frozen food worth looking out for, like Bibigo Bulgogi Chicken & Vegetable Dumpling Bites and Edwards Signature Cheesecake Slices. Unusually satisfying items like these might vanish soon after being stocked, but not if you can beat the crowds to the store.