At first glance, Dollar Tree looks like it has some of the best deals on everyday essentials, but some “savings” don’t hold up under unit math.
It may look like you’re getting a better price at Dollar Tree, but that could be due to smaller package sizes that drive up the cost per unit. But some retailers, like Target and Walmart, often sell larger packages that bring the per-unit price down, which makes them the cheaper option in the long run.
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Think twice before buying these four Dollar Tree items if you want to save more.
Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste
- Price: $1.25
Only $1.25 for Crest cavity protection toothpaste? It looks like a steal, but you’ll save more by purchasing elsewhere. At Dollar Tree, it works out to around $0.52 per ounce for a 2.4-ounce container, but it’s about $0.34 per ounce at Walmart for 5.7 ounces, or $1.96. You can save even more if you purchase the three-pack, which costs just under $0.31 per ounce at $5.29.
Check Out: 4 Items With Greater Value at Dollar Tree Than Target
Tylenol Extra-Strength Pain Reliever and Fever Reducer
- Price: $4.75
Dollar Tree sells Tylenol extra-strength pain relievers for $4.75. You get 24 capsules, which is a bit less than $0.20 per count. This is far from the best price you can find online. Most retailers sell the same exact item for the same price, but you’ll find a better deal on bottles of 100 or more. For example, Amazon sells Tylenol in various sizes, but you can get a bottle of 100 capsules for $10.97, or just under $0.11 per count.
Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Price: $1.50
You’ll pay less per ounce on Tide liquid laundry detergent at Target and Walmart than you would at Dollar Tree. The 8-ounce container is only $1.50 at the dollar store, but you’ll save money on the 84-ounce container at Target and the 80-ounce container at Walmart. At Dollar Tree, it comes out to nearly $0.19 per fluid ounce, while it comes out to about $0.16 per fluid ounce at Target and Walmart.
General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal
- Price: $1.25
Brand-name cereal is another item that’s cheaper at other retailers than at Dollar Tree. For instance, this 3.5-ounce package of Honey Nut Cheerios is $1.25 at Dollar Tree, which comes to around $0.35 per ounce, but this 32-ounce value bag at Walmart is only around $0.21 per ounce, or $6.77.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These 4 Dollar Tree Items Look Like a Deal — Until You Do the Unit Math
