When I lived in the city, I only went to the Dollar Store to buy 2 things – party decorations and holiday cards.
Otherwise, I avoided this place like the plague.
They were disorganized, disheveled, and full of cheap crap the wasn’t worth a dollar. They smelled bad, sold low quality merchandise and in general provided an awful experience.
I pretty much decided I’d never go to a Dollar Store again.
Then I started living on the road. Although I don’t need much, there are things I need to buy on the road – food, paper goods, camping items , hardware and household supplies. Sometimes I see something in a neighbor’s rig and ask “where did you get that?” Other times, I’ll ask where to buy groceries or resupply.
Many times, I’m told, “At the Dollar Store”.
So the other day, after trying and failing to find a few specific items from Walmart, Tractor Supply and Ace Hardware, I bit the bullet and went to the Dollar Store.
It was worse than I remembered. Crap was everywhere:
- Poorly made items
- Smelly and poisonous PVC junk
- Overpriced “sample” sizes of brand name goods
- Cheaply made knick knacks, household supplies etc.
Some aisles had yards of empty shelves, while others had so much stuff it spilled onto the floor.
The food selection was abysmal . It was highly processed foods containing high fructose cron syrup, sugar, salt and preservatives. Most of it was junk food – brand name and off-brand chips, candy and snacks.
But the store made it crystal clear that they accept food stamps and WIC cards. In other words, “If you’re poor, we’ll sell you some terrible food to eat.”
Fittingly, nothing I needed was there.
Unless I’m in a desperate situation, I will likely never enter a Dollar Store again. I’d rather go without than shop there.
But that’s easy for me to say.
Having access to Amazon, big grocery stores, gas stations, home depot, national chains and local retailers is something I took for granted. These places where everywhere in the towns I lived. If you’re like I was, you never even think twice about having a problem finding a place to buy something you need.
Even today, I’m not really stuck with the Dollar Store as my only option. I can drive to the next town where there are better shopping choices. I can order from Amazon and have it shipped to a UPS store for pickup. I can afford it.
Not everybody can. Some people have to drive 60 miles or more to shop anywhere else. For these people, the Dollar Store isn’t just the only option, its a welcome addition to their town.
Welcome to America- an America I hadn’t even realized existed.