Dollarama to introduce $3 items

[Koolaid]

http://www.thestar.com/business/arti...s-profits-soar

I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I guess we will have to see.

[SavenRaven]

Hmmm... either they will up the prices on the current $2 crap or bring in some better crap and sell it for $3.
Can't wait to see... I love Dollarama.

[GracieAnne]

I really hope they don't, I like the $2 limit as it is. I tend to spend too much when I go to the dollar store, this will make it worse. :x

[xXtiggerXx]

I remember being upset when they changed to $2, but then the quality and selection of products jumped up and it turned out to be for the better. I hope that this change will just add more, better products not just a price increase on existing products.

[carlyincanada]

Not good...but only go for a few things like paper plates, tin baking stuff...and never buy food there.

[Lynx123]

I think it will be a good thing. Perhaps they will add items that go for $4 or $5 elsewhere. I guess we'll see.

[PurpleBunny89]

I say bad thing. I was shocked when they were no longer a "dollar" store. I was mad to see that products I previously bought had now been increased.

Now when I go there I don't see any difference in quality. I see the same crapily (is this even a word?!) made stuff for more money. If I can help it I don't shop there because I don't find I really save much.

That being said two items I will continue to buy there will be the 100ct small envelopes for $1 (unless the price goes up then I will use the 500+ standard size envelopes I already have) and the dishpad refills 2 pack for $1.50 (these sell at WM for $2.50 or something similar)

I used to shop at Dollarama several times a month then once they changed it to Dollar "Plus" store I significantly stopped and its maybe 3 times a year I shop there. This would decrease my shopping even more.

[colourcube]

I agree that this is not a good thing. Some items listed over a dollar are not worth the money imho.

[abbasgirl]

I suspect it's going to be a little of both. The quality of some products has gone up since they raised the prices. But when they raised them they tried to assure their customers that most of their products would remain $1. That has not been the case. Costs are increasing and I don't think it's possible to run a successful dollar store with nothing but $1 items anymore, but I'd rather they were just upfront about it. All the independent dollar stores in my area are 1.25 now and I think people understand.

[Annatree]

Seriously they are just asking for walmart to put them out of business. Don't think $3 is a good move. Think dollarama is just testing the water to see the breaking point of people (how much can they raise the price before losing customers).

[Aimz]

I think $3 is getting to the point where it's going to be hard for Dollarama to be associated with a dollar store in the minds of customers. When everything was a dollar, there was a reason to go to Dollarama - you knew everything in the store was going to cost you no more than one dollar, plus tax. Now, you might go in and see something that you think is worth $1, only to look closer and realize it's actually $3. Not great. Especially when it might be an item that you could get in a regular grocery/retail store for cheaper, either at regular price or with the use of coupons.

I don't see the quality improving to the point where I'd be comfortable with this move. I'm reluctantly in the thumbs down category.

ETA: It's also interesting to note that Dollarama is doing this in the midst of "soaring profits." In that case, it has nothing to do with the necessity of passing on certain costs to the customer, and everything to do with the greed that comes with heightened profits. Maybe in a better economic climate, this move would be okay - but a lot of people are not doing so great right now.

[newbiesaver]

I remember being upset when they changed to $2, but then the quality and selection of products jumped up and it turned out to be for the better. I hope that this change will just add more, better products not just a price increase on existing products.

I found this too. Granted, there were some items that I felt should not be more than $1 but are but in general, I found that increasing to $2 provided more selection. Like $2 sunscreens last summer than were still selling for $7-10 at Walmart, shoppers, etc! Croc sandal knockoffs for $2 as well....still cheaper than anywhere else.

I will still shop there when they have $3 items....they don't call themselves the ONE dollar store then charge more than $1 for their stuff (like some other chains around here). To me, "Dollar"rama is just saying that things are at a "easy" price...like $1, $1.50, $2, etc. instead of $1.49, $1.79, etc. which I find really annoying.

[SavenRaven]

Seriously they are just asking for walmart to put them out of business. Don't think $3 is a good move. Think dollarama is just testing the water to see the breaking point of people (how much can they raise the price before losing customers).

My husband informed me recently that Walmart is planning to implement a dollar store type area in their stores. That would crush Dollarama. It would be awesome for us though!

[Ciel]

A few things are worth going to the store for because of price or the fact that Dollarama might still be one of two vendors carrying things like Old Dutch cleanser (50cents each). 591ml Coke for $1, Excel gum for 69 cents, Vileda sponges for about $2 or so.

While I like the envelopes for a mass mailing if they have adhesive strips, I have had some envelopes fall apart on side seams, like the adhesive dried out, when stuffing the envelopes---so for important mail, chin up and head to a store that has the Cdn made envelopes with adhesive strips.

Last month, I noticed the shelf price sticker for a 3pk of soap said $1.25 but it was ringing up at $1.50. I questioned that and what the cashier's supervisor said, oh another price increase that we did not know about...so if you do see price stickers on shelves, jot them down on your list and question the price if the register scan comes up differently. No, I won't SCOP at Dollarama. If I get upset, it's better to ask about the price and then decide against the purchase if it's the only thing I'm buying.

I'm aware at dollar stores the cashiers have a long process to void out a transaction (a friend of mine had that issue with customers arguing about prices when she was in such a store as cashier and then picking and choosing which items to keep and which to to leave at store--duty manager has to get involved and cashier is so not thrilled). I figure each one of us is juggling some stresses and I really would like to not add more to someone else's load of bother.

[KK7]

I find things just as cheap else where and sometimes find things crappy at $ stores but this is just for things I am looking for.