Thread: Dollar Store Bargaining?

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In years gone by, our TOT give-away has included some fairly large toys. There would always be some sort of random method for handing out everything from Hot Wheels to 8' plush snakes to OTC gift bags.

At first, it was easy and affordable since we only had 30-50 TOTs. Well, word has gotten 'round and we're expecting over 150 TOTs this year...more than I can afford to buy big toys for. Time to think about alternatives...soooo...

Has anyone ever successfully bargained with a Dollar Store (or similar) manager? If so, what was the price discount? Can you buy a case directly? Does anybody have a good alternantive suggestion?

Oriental Trading has raised their prices a bit too much these days and just isn't the bargain it was 10 years ago. Does anybody else know of a good wholesaler?

And no, handing out glow-sticks is NOT an option! LOL!

Depends on your budget i quess. Last year we had close to 400 tot's. we did glow stuff and candy and a real afforable cost.
For dealing with dollar stores and trying to get a break, you can do some research onlin for what you want and get far better deals than from those at orintial trading or any dolloar store. Now is the time to get those items at true bargain discounts.
You seem generious as to what ya give the toters, hat's off to ya for beging so kind to them.
Im going glow items again this year, they were a huge hit last year.
I would say figure out ur budget for treats and get idea what u want to hand out. You may be surprised at some options. I will try and post some links later on to give ya some ideas for super great inexpinse items from a few good companies.

I can probably afford about $100-200. I like to have a good variety, including things like giant Hershey's bars and dollar store toys. The OTC stuff that I give out is averaging at or even slightly above a dollar. Of course, I still like them for the very cheap items to include in gift bags...but for the dollar store-ish items, they aren't really a bargain. (i.e squshy water tubes) I was hoping to save on the dollar-ish toys so that I could still afford to include a few more impressive treats. Since they are all toys, left-overs can easily be stored for the next year.

edit :typos

Last Halloween I tried to get a deal from the manager of one of our local dollar stores for stuff for school party treat bags but he said he would only sell items in bulk (in quantities they stock for the entire store). Wouldn't have been that much savings per item, and way too much stuff even adding in TOTs to give it out to.

I know folks have done a lottery drawing, or a prize wheel. That way you don't have to spend so much on so many big items. Or you could have them reach into a cauldron and pull out a slip of paper. On each slip you could write the name of an item, or maybe a "$1", and that way it makes the big prizes go further.

At dollar tree direct you can order items. It has to be in bulk. To me it's not really worth it. I might just stick with candy. I had this huge idea in myhead but now it's like it it worth it to spend so much money just on Halloween night?

I know folks have done a lottery drawing, or a prize wheel. That way you don't have to spend so much on so many big items. Or you could have them reach into a cauldron and pull out a slip of paper. On each slip you could write the name of an item, or maybe a "$1", and that way it makes the big prizes go further.

That is just a great idea. I think I will borrow it. Thanks for posting

the best time to get the best bargains for tot stuff is after halloween. so you might want to keep this in mind for next year. i see you mention you don't want to do the glow stuff, that is usually reasonable and it is a big hit with the kids.

Does some one have plans for a prize wheel?

Hey Madame Turlock no problem! Have fun with it!

Sorry got no plans for a wheel; do a search of props (both for here & general internet) and see what comes up. Good luck!

GP- I have a prize wheel! That's what I used last year. The year before that it was 'Plinko.' The year before that, it was picking a color coded ticket from a pumpkin. And the year before that was a duck (spider, actually) pond...complete with dry ice!

I made my prize wheel from an old floor fan...the bearings worked great and it was the perfect height. I'll post a pic link late tonight or tomorrow.