Most people walking through Dollar General have no idea that an item sitting on the shelf could potentially ring up for just one penny. Penny items are typically merchandise that has moved through Dollar General’s markdown cycle and was supposed to be removed from the sales floor, but occasionally something gets missed.
That’s what makes penny shopping feel a little like a treasure hunt. You can’t simply walk into the store and look for a shelf labeled “penny deals,” but there are clues that can help you narrow down what’s worth checking.
Here are eight things experienced penny shoppers look for before heading to the register.
1. Shop on Tuesdays
Tuesday is a popular day among Dollar General penny shoppers because new markdowns and penny lists have traditionally appeared around the beginning of the week. Shopping earlier gives you a better chance of finding overlooked merchandise before employees have had time to remove it from the sales floor.
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2. Look for Merchandise From Past Seasons
One of the easiest places to start is with merchandise that clearly belongs to a season that has already passed. Christmas decorations lingering after the holidays, Halloween merchandise months later, or summer products sitting around in winter are all worth a closer look.
3. Pay Attention to Colored Symbols on Tags
Dollar General uses colored dots and other symbols on some merchandise to identify different product groups and seasonal collections. Instead of assuming every item with a certain symbol is discounted, use the symbol to identify older merchandise and then verify the current price.
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4. Check the Clearance Section Carefully
Clearance sections are obvious places to hunt, but don’t assume the price printed on the sticker is necessarily the current price. Merchandise can go through additional markdowns after being placed there, so older clearance items may be worth scanning before you pass them by.
5. Look for Products With Older Packaging
When manufacturers redesign packaging, stores can be left with older versions sitting beside newly updated products. If you notice two versions of the same product with noticeably different packaging, scan the older one because discontinued or outdated inventory may be further along in the markdown process.
6. Watch for Items With Multiple Markdown Stickers
A product covered with several clearance stickers is a pretty good indication that it has been hanging around for a while. It doesn’t guarantee a penny price, but it tells you the item has already gone through multiple markdowns and is worth checking.
7. Scan Before You Head to the Register
The Dollar General app can make the hunt much easier because you can check prices while you’re shopping rather than filling your cart based on guesses. Make sure you’ve selected the location you’re actually visiting, since prices and availability can vary between stores.
8. Check the Places Other Shoppers Ignore
Don’t limit your search to the obvious clearance aisle because older merchandise can sometimes remain mixed into regular shelves, endcaps, or seasonal sections. Look behind newer products and pay particular attention to lonely items that seem out of place or belong to a collection that disappeared months ago.
