Although the American warehouse chain store Costco is famous for selling a variety of high-quality goods at affordable prices, when it comes to stores selling cheap items, many people first think of Dollar Tree and other dollar stores. However, what is not widely known is that some products sold at Costco are even cheaper than those at dollar stores.
Despite the fact that inflation in the United States has eased to some extent, the prices of daily groceries and food remain high, making it difficult for consumers to bear. Dollar stores have become a frequent destination for many consumers, with even wealthy individuals starting to shop there.
Michael Liersch, Head of Consultation and Planning at Wells Fargo, told The Wall Street Journal last November that the mindset of wealthy Americans is changing, with value for money being crucial in today’s economic landscape. Liersch stated that for some, excessive consumption used to be a fashion trend, but now the most important thing is to make the most of the money in their pockets, rather than being swindled.
According to a daily survey conducted by Morning Consult on approximately 50,000 Americans, households with a six-figure income reported a 15% increase in the likelihood of shopping at dollar stores compared to June last year.
Consumers say that, regardless of how much money they earn, seeking discounts is no longer a source of shame.
In the eyes of consumers, Costco and dollar stores are not of the same category; many products sold in dollar stores are often priced higher at Costco. However, this is not always the case, as there are products at Costco that offer more affordable prices.
One drawback is that savings at Costco are typically achieved through bulk purchases, but Costco’s product quality and reputation have always been excellent.
Here is a list of 7 specific products at Costco that are cheaper than at dollar stores, compiled by Gobankingrate. Prices may vary depending on time and location.
At Costco, a 208-ounce canister of Gain laundry detergent is priced at $23.49. At Dollar Tree, a 10-ounce similar detergent costs $1.25.
A blue marker pen at Dollar Tree is $1.25, whereas at Costco, various marker pens (65 in a box) can be purchased for $27, making the price per pen approximately 41 cents.
During the back-to-school promotion period in July and August, many large retailers offer sales, making it a suitable time to purchase stationery items before the fall arrives.
Costco offers a 16-pack of Zebra brand ballpoint pens for $20. Zebra is known for its high-quality writing instruments.
Sharpie markers had a discount in July, so it’s good to wait for the next promotion.
A 2.29-ounce bowl of noodle soup seasoning costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree. A 24-bowl pack of similar instant noodles, each 2.5 ounces, is priced at $13.99 at Costco.
Breaking down the cost, spending $1 at Costco can get you about 4.3 ounces of noodles, which is much cheaper compared to the 1.8 ounces per $1 at Dollar Tree.
A 3.5-ounce pack of cinnamon toast breakfast cereal costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree, or approximately 36 cents per ounce. At Costco, you can buy two boxes of cinnamon toast breakfast cereal (each 24.75 ounces) for $10.99, which is about 22 cents per ounce.
A single heavy-duty scrub sponge from Scrub Buddies is $1.25 at Dollar Tree.
At Costco, a 24-pack of Scotch-Brite scrub sponges is priced at $18.49, roughly 77 cents per sponge. Since dish sponges need frequent replacement, buying in bulk makes sense.
Although the price difference is small, Costco’s double-ply paper towels are slightly cheaper than Dollar Tree’s.
At Costco, a pack containing 3,300 sheets of paper towels is priced at $34.99, making it just one cent per sheet. At Dollar Tree, a pack of 64 double-ply paper towels costs $1.25, which is about 2 cents per sheet.
Hand soap is also a household essential with high daily consumption, especially post-pandemic when hand hygiene is emphasized. At Costco, you can get 160 ounces (two boxes) of hand soap for $12.99, which is about 8 cents per ounce.
A 7.5-ounce box of hand soap at Dollar Tree costs $1.25, or approximately 17 cents per ounce.