How to Find Penny Items at Dollar General

Imagine walking into Dollar General and walking out with a cart filled with items that cost you a total of less than a dollar. The lucky few who snag penny items certainly have experienced the adrenaline and happiness it creates. If you want to feel like a Queen (or king) for a day, read below to learn how you can become a DG penny-aire.

While I haven’t personally scored one yet, I’ve researched the process. I've followed experienced penny shoppers closely and watched friends walk away with deals. I love the concept. I mean, let’s be real: who doesn’t love deals, especially one giving a 99% discount?

What Are Penny Items?

Penny items are goods marked down to just one cent. The items include seasonal and discontinued items no longer sold in-store. It's not a special deal or sale: it's an accident. Staff should have removed the items from the shelves before the store opened. Sometimes they miss an item or two during the process. Since the item is no longer in DG's inventory system, it rings up as one cent when scanned.

Shoppers can find tons of items marked down to a penny each if they're lucky. This includes baby items, skincare, makeup, food, and much more.

Don’t argue or become a Karen if you find an item, but employees refuse to sell it. Most employees do not mind selling items to lucky shoppers, but some may resist. Considering the penny items are not part of a sale or intended to be sold, remember that you win some and lose some.

If an employee refuses and you can't snag the item for a penny, consider yourself doing a good deed by getting it off the shelf.

How to Find Penny Items

Penny items aren’t advertised or intended to be sold.  Learn what’s up for grabs by joining social media groups. You can learn how to find the items and how to get started.

I also like the Krazy Koupon Lady’s weekly penny list since it shows the exact items to look for in the store. It saves so much time.

Download the DG price scanner app to find penny items easily without employee help. Another Penny Scanner app is available in the Play Store. This app works at several stores, but only detects penny items.

In-store, penny items are usually marked down in the system on Tuesday. Check out the discontinued, seasonal toys, and home decor sections first. These departments often offer the most penny items.

Unwritten Rules of Penny Shopping

• Don’t ask employees about penny items
• Do not ask employees to grab boxes of items out of the back for you
• Don't assume everything on clearance is marked down to a penny
• Don’t be disrespectful to employees. Employees dont have to sell the items.

Is It Ethical?

It’s not illegal, but some people do believe penny shopping is unethical. The way I see things, it’s not about beating the system. It’s about taking advantage of markdowns. A savvy shopper understands penny deals are luck of the draw; plain and simple. They never argue or disrespect employees. Shoppers who maintain standards and view penny items in this manner can ensure things are ethical and fair.

Penny shopping isn’t guaranteed, but when it works, it feels like rainbows have filled your wallet.

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