Dollar Tree Workers Share What Customers Do That Drives Them Crazy

Additional Coverage:

13 Things Dollar Tree Employees Wish Customers Would Stop Doing (financebuzz.com)

Dollar Tree Employees Spill the Beans: 13 Customer Habits That Make Their Jobs a Nightmare

Dollar Tree is a haven for bargain hunters, a place where you can stock up on everything from snacks to seasonal decor without breaking the bank. But while shoppers are enjoying the thrill of a good deal, some employees are facing daily frustrations that go beyond the usual retail grind.

We’ve heard from Dollar Tree employees across the country, and they’ve got a wish list of things they’d love customers to stop doing to make their work lives a little easier. So, next time you’re browsing those $1.25 aisles, keep these in mind!

1. The “Shelf-Impaired” Shopper: Merchandise Misplacement Mayhem

First up on the employee grievance list is the baffling habit of leaving items wherever, well, wherever. “Please put it back,” pleaded a Dollar Tree employee from Lockport, New York.

“It doesn’t make sense just to throw things on the floor. I mean, the shelf is right there.

We have to stay so many hours after closing just to clean. We want to go home, too.”

It seems the concept of returning an item to its rightful home is lost on some.

2. The Quarter Quarterback: Complaining About the Price Hike

Remember when everything was truly a dollar? Those days are gone, and while most have adjusted, some customers are still airing their grievances with staff.

“I get SOOOOO many customers who are surprised that items aren’t actually a dollar,” shared a Dollar Tree employee on Reddit. “I get customers who say, ‘This is a $1.25, I guess it’s not the Dollar Tree anymore,’ all the time.”

The company’s “transformation plan” led to the 25-cent increase, a decision that employees clearly had no hand in.

3. Penny for Your Thoughts (and Your Entire Transaction): The Coin Conundrum

Imagine trying to pay for your groceries entirely in pennies. Now imagine being a cashier dealing with that.

Dollar Tree employees are fed up with customers attempting to pay for their entire bill in copper. One Redditor recounted, “Three people came in to pay an over $5 bill, all in pennies.

It got so bad that when a fourth guy came in, I had to politely tell him to take his pennies to the U.S. bank… as my till was overflowing with pennies. He got irate with me and stormed out.”

4. The Price Match Pitfall: No Competing with the Big Box

Employees at a Houston, Texas, Dollar Tree are often on the receiving end of customer frustration for not price matching larger retailers. “Our prices are already low enough to just about keep the store running and our paychecks coming.

But some customers want us to price-match items on sale at Walmart or other big-box stores. We just can’t do it.”

Dollar Tree’s business model doesn’t allow for such comparisons, no matter how loudly a customer might argue.

5. Navigating the Obstacle Course: Rude Behavior Over Stock Boxes

“I don’t choose to stock during the day. It’s my job.

But of course, I get yelled at by customers since I’m in their way,” explained a manager. Stocking during store hours is a necessity, and unfortunately, it often leads to aisles being temporarily blocked.

When online complaints go unanswered, the frustration often spills over onto the in-store staff.

6. The Online Opportunist: Hoarding for Resale

Thanks to “flip it” trends on social media, some customers are buying up popular Dollar Tree items in bulk to resell them online. This practice leaves shelves bare for other shoppers and frustrates employees.

“At my store,” an employee on Reddit noted, “We hold stock that is popular like this … We put out a little bit of the whole collection.

Once it sells out or gets low, we add more. It’s the one way we can make it fair for everyone.”

7. The Quest for Pristine Pennies: Demanding Cleaner Change

Ever received a slightly worn coin in your change? Most people shrug it off, but some Dollar Tree employees face demands for “cleaner” currency.

One employee shared, “They say the quarter I gave them was too dirty, so they want another one. I had to call my manager to open the till and hand them another one before they would leave.”

8. The “Surprise!” Surcharge: Not Paying Attention to Pricing

Not everything at Dollar Tree is $1.25, and employees wish customers would pay closer attention. “We’ve had that happen so many times with the batteries, now I always ask them if they know it’s $5 before scanning it to save me an item void,” an employee explained. “Half of the people get mad that I dare ask, like I’m suggesting they can’t afford it.”

9. The Gift Card Gauntlet: Misunderstanding Return Policies

While Dollar Tree generally allows exchanges without receipts, some items are non-returnable – like gift cards. “We tell them when they buy them.

But they come back wanting a refund and just yell and yell, hoping we’ll cave. We don’t.”

As the employee plainly puts it, “we don’t make the rules.”

10. The Art of the (Attempted) Return: Stolen Goods

“A customer purchases one or two items, but leaves with multiple stuffed in their pockets. We can’t do anything about it.

We just have to let them go and call the police,” said a frustrated manager. The truly annoying part?

“When they come back saying they purchased the items and demand a refund with no receipt.” With rising theft, Dollar Tree has even started locking up more inventory, a move that hasn’t entirely solved the problem.

11. The Secret Stash: Damaged and Hidden Items

“I spend the majority of my day removing opened, used, and disassembled goods throughout the store that can’t be resold,” an anonymous employee revealed. She wishes customers would simply buy the item if they’re going to try it out.

12. The One-Star Whine: Unjustified Google Reviews

While negative reviews can be helpful, Dollar Tree employees are often the target of complaints that go beyond legitimate issues. A Dollar Tree employee on Reddit mentioned a customer who left a one-star review because they “‘overheard’ (eavesdropped) staff and didn’t like what they were hearing.”

13. The Accusation Game: “You’re Hiding the Good Stuff!”

“There’s nothing that irritates me more than a customer accusing me of hiding products for myself when they just can’t accept that they are simply out of stock,” lamented a Brooklyn, New York, Dollar Tree employee. This sentiment is unfortunately common, fueled by viral videos showing employees allegedly stashing popular items.

The Bottom Line for Shoppers

Dollar Tree offers incredible value, but these frustrating customer habits can have real consequences, potentially leading to fewer store locations or further price increases. To ensure your favorite dollar store remains a budget-friendly option, a little consideration goes a long way. If you’re looking for bulk items or something out of stock, remember you can always order online – they often have plenty of inventory!