What and what not to buy at a pound shop

• The pound shop lowdown

  Who doesn’t love a great deal at the pound shop? It sounds promising - but does it deliver? The answer is yes and no, say consumer savings experts. If you’re a savvy shopper and avoid shoddy merchandise or products that are still overpriced at a pound, there are definitely deals to be had. A word of warning: not everything at every pound store costs a pound, says Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings expert at kinoliinc.com.

  That’s where you need to be careful. Impulse buying could get you into trouble even at pound shops, says consumer savings expert Regina Novickis. While the values may be terrific, it’s easy to get caught up in a shopping frenzy and leave with more than you need. 

• BUY THIS: seasonal stuff

  Stocking stuffers and home decorations will cost you 30 to 70 percent less at pound stores than at party supply or chemists (e.g Boots), says Woroch. One of the best ways to save on quality items is to shop at the end of a season (all shops will discount Halloween décor and sweets after Halloween is over), says Novickis. But since most people don’t plan their Christmas quite that far in advance, the pound shop is a great place to save money on these items year-round.

• BUY THIS: cleaning products

  The ingredients in most cleaning products are essentially the same; you won't find much difference between a big brand and a generic brand, says Jackie Warrick, Chief Savings Officer and President at CouponCabin.com. Even if the product is slightly diluted and you need to use a bit more, you’re still only spending £1 on each item. Sponges are usually a good deal too.

• SKIP THAT: toys

  It’s no secret that most kids are rough on their toys. 'Toys at [pound shops] typically lack in quality, so you’re likely to have a broken toy that needs to be replaced often,' says Warick. Invest in higher quality toys that will last to reduce the damage to your wallet in the long run.

  Another word of warning: toys purchased at pound shops may be unsafe and the parts and paints used in them may not meet typical regulatory standards. Kids’ colouring books are the exception.

• BUY THIS: shampoo

  Off-brand shampoos, toothpastes, shaving cream, deodorant, and other bath items are usually just as good as the name brands, and you can save big. Expensive shampoos don’t make hair more luxurious than cheap shop-brand shampoos, says Consumer Reports. The only noticeable difference is how more expensive shampoos smell, says Novickis.

• SKIP THAT: batteries

  Batteries purchased at pound shops often wear out quickly, experts say. Ultimately, you end up spending more by having to replace the batteries more often.

  If you do buy batteries, be discriminating, says Torabi. 'Make sure they’re actually made with lithium as opposed to carbon zinc. A lot of generic batteries are made with carbon zinc - it’s not as superior of an ingredient. They don’t last as long maybe due to leakage.' Leaking batteries can also damage your electronics.

• BUY THIS: greeting cards

  Cards are often priced two for a pound, so they’re a real steal. Greeting card store prices can run up to £3 per card, so you are looking at at least a £2 saving. The quality of the paper stock may not be premium, but it’s your handwritten message inside that really matters anyway.

• SKIP THAT: medications and vitamins

  Medications and vitamins at pound shops may be unregulated and mislabeled, says Warrick. That’s because they don’t meet the same rigorous testing and standards that products at regular stores do, she adds.

• BUY THIS: spices

  You may not find the most exotic selection at a pound shop, says Jeff Yeager, author of The Cheapskate Next Door. 'But a buck each for large-sized containers of such kitchen basics as cinnamon, parsley, basil, chili powder, and pepper? It can’t be beat.' Be sure to check expiration dates.

• SKIP THAT: paper products

  Paper napkins, toilet paper, and tissues tend to be of the flimsy, single-ply variety. Plus, you can usually find them cheaper at your supermarket.

• BUY THIS: bottled and tinned goods 

  You can get great deals on pickles, olives, salsa, and other bottled, tinned, packaged, and long-lasting items. 'Olives are olives,' says Yeager. 'They just don’t go bad.'

  But make sure to check the expiration date. Some pound shops even carry perishables such as produce, dairy, and meat products. Many will be close to their expiration dates, but if you plan to eat something on the day of purchase, go for it.

• SKIP THAT: cling film and tin foil 

  Off-brand cling film from dollar stores doesn’t tend to cling, said Yeager. You’re better off buying this at a supermarket, unless you can find a brand-name cling flim at pound shop. And while pound shop aluminum foil tends to work pretty well, it’s cheaper to buy it in bulk. 

• SKIP THAT: school supplies

  Pound shops have decent deals, but you aren’t really saving much over what you can find at larger chain stores, says Novickis. It’s best to stock up on these items at Rymans or Staples during back-to-school season, when items are deeply discounted.

• BUY THIS: Halloween or cinema sweets

  Cinema concessions are so overpriced that it’s easy to spend more on popcorn and sweets than on the tickets themselves. Which is why film night at home is a great idea. Many pound shops will have 2 for £1 promotions, says Novickis. So it’s a great place to stock up for Halloween and film night.

• SKIP THAT: pet food

  To ensure the safety of your pet’s food, shop at supermarkets that tend to have good safety procedures in place, says Novickis. Knock-off food just isn’t worth the risk. And deals can be found on cases of name brand foods at the supermarkets that are better than the deals you’ll find at a pound shop, he says. 

• BUY THIS: grooming items

  Hair elastics, headbands, barrettes, and other grooming products are generally a great deal at pound shops. Sometimes you can even find brand name products.

• SKIP THAT: extension leads

  Pound shop versions of extension cables are often shoddily made and can damage electronics, says Woroch. Steer clear of any computer cables or USB cables, which can fall apart easily and can damage your computer. Instead, buy from a hardware shop or specialty computer store.

• BUY THIS: tupperware 

  These plastic tubs will generally cost you less at pound shops than at discount retailer. You can pick up whole sets of containers, and use some of the smaller ones for nonfood items such as nails, screws, or thumbtacks.

• SKIP THAT: oven gloves 

  Though priced 30 to 40 percent less than at most other stores, pound shop store oven gloves are poorly constructed and offer less protection for your hands when pulling hot pans out of the oven, which could lead to burns, says Woroch. In this case, you get what you pay for. Look for thick, well-made, and longer-lasting oven gloves elsewhere.

• SKIP THAT: cotton buds 

  Generic brand cotton buds at pound shops cost nearly less than the leading brands. But other experts caution that most pound shop cotton buds are so flimsy that they bend in half when you try to use them, or have too little cotton on the ends.

• SKIP THAT: knives

  Knives at pound shops tend to be dull - and will quickly get even duller, say Woroch and Warrick. The blades of cheap knives are also thinner and bend more easily, making it difficult to do precision slicing and easy to hurt yourself. Spend a bit more for quality knives elsewhere.

• BUY THIS: socks

  Pound shops offer great deals on packets of socks for both men and women, says Woroch.

• SKIP THAT: calculators

  Pound shop calculators are more likely to break and die on you, says Woroch. They also display fewer numbers and may lack many of the functions of higher quality calculators. It’s better to spend a little more for something that will last your child through their school years, she says.

• BUY THIS: some - not all - makeup

  Makeup application sponges are often cheaper at pound shops than at Boots and Superdrug, says Woroch. Lipstick for a pound is also a particularly good bargain. A Revlon lipstick, for example, usually costs £7.99 at a pharmacy. Make sure the tube is sealed and in good condition. Eye shadows and liners are also usually good buys, but skip the foundation unless you can find a brand you already use. Cheap foundations can cause skin problems, and most expire after a year.

• SKIP THAT: chewing gum

  You’ll find much better prices on brands that are on sale at your local supermarket, says Woroch. Better yet, buy in bulk at a cash and carry to save even more. Even Amazon often has cheaper gum.

• BUY THIS: tea towels

  These cost much less at pound shops than at grocery and other kitchen supply stores, says Woroch. But give the towels a good feel before you buy them. Some may be too thin to be truly absorbent.

• Next Up: How to save money on food shopping

  When it comes to food shopping, some foods are worth the extra money and some are just as good when bought on the cheap.

See also:

• 5 ways to cut the cost of your supermarket shop
• 5 finance tips for the big freeze
• 10 reasons to develop a career plan