Penny shopping at Dollar General is like a real-life treasure hunt. Hidden on the shelves are items priced at just $0.01—yes, one penny! If you’re patient, observant, and strategic, you can score products for next to nothing. But there are rules, etiquette, and tricks to the trade. Let’s dive deep into how to master the art of penny shopping.
What Is Penny Shopping?
Penny shopping refers to finding and purchasing discontinued or clearance items at Dollar General for just $0.01. These are usually seasonal, outdated, or discontinued products that have been marked down repeatedly until they hit “penny” status in the store’s system.
How It Works
🔄 The Cycle of Markdown at DG:
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Full Price ➡️
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10%, 25%, 50%, 70%, 90% Off ➡️
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Penny
Once something hits a penny in the system, employees are instructed to pull those items off the shelves first thing in the morning. However, they don’t always catch them all—especially in high-volume or understaffed stores. That’s where savvy shoppers come in.
The Golden Rules of Penny Shopping
🚫 Do NOT Ask Employees About Penny Items
This is the #1 rule. Employees are trained not to help with penny shopping. Asking about them can make stores more vigilant and less penny-shopper-friendly.
⏰ Go Early
Most markdowns happen Tuesday mornings, so aim to shop first thing on Tuesday. That’s when items officially become a penny and before staff has time to pull them.
✅ If It Rings Up a Penny, They Have to Sell It
Dollar General’s corporate policy is to honor the register price—even if it’s one cent.
How to Find Penny Items
1. Use Penny Shopping Lists
There are online communities (Reddit, Facebook Groups, Telegram channels, blogs) that post weekly updated penny lists, often leaked by insiders. These lists tell you what products, UPC codes, and store sections to look in.
2. Get the Dollar General App
The app lets you scan barcodes in-store and check prices. If it scans at $0.01, you’ve found a winner! Make sure your store location is correct in the app.
3. Learn the Color Dots & Tags
Seasonal and clearance items are marked by colored dots or tags:
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Yellow Dot – Summer Apparel
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White Dot – Spring Apparel
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Purple Dot – Home Decor
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Brown Dot – Winter Decor
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Red Triangle – Holiday Gift Items
These colors cycle through discounts before pennying out. Watch closely!
4. Search for Missed Pulls
Look behind other merchandise, on high or low shelves, and in clearance bins. Penny items often get missed by staff during pull.
What Types of Items Penny?
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Seasonal Decor (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s, etc.)
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Discontinued Food & Snacks
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Beauty & Personal Care
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Home Goods
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Clothing & Shoes
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Toys & Stationery
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Electronics & Accessories
Best Tools & Resources
📱 Apps:
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Dollar General App (Official) – For barcode scanning
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BrickSeek – Tracks inventory at stores (not always reliable for pennies but helpful)
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Telegram Groups – Live updates and pics
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YouTube – Weekly walkthroughs (Search: “Dollar General penny shopping haul”)
📚 Communities:
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Reddit: r/PennyShoppingDG
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Facebook Groups: Search “Dollar General Penny Shopping” and request to join active ones with updated weekly lists.
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Blogs: thefreebieguy.com, christinesfreebies.com
Pro Penny Shopper Tips
✅ Scan Everything
Even if you’re unsure, scan it. Some items aren’t on lists yet but may still ring up a penny.
✅ Stay Organized
Bring bins or bags to collect items while you shop. It helps you move quickly.
✅ Dress Comfortably
You’ll be bending, reaching, and digging. Athletic shoes, comfy clothes, and even gloves are good.
✅ Shop Multiple Locations
Every Dollar General store is different. One store might still have penny items weeks after another.
✅ Respect the Store
Be discreet, courteous, and clean up after yourself. Stores are more likely to tolerate penny shoppers who don’t cause chaos.
FAQs
Q: Can the store refuse to sell me penny items?
A: If it rings up for a penny, corporate policy is to sell it. However, some stores may try to refuse. Be polite, and escalate to corporate if necessary.
Q: Are all Dollar Generals the same?
A: No. Store managers decide how and when to pull merchandise. Inventory varies widely.
Q: Can I return penny items?
A: No. Penny items are final sale only.
Final Thoughts
Penny shopping is part luck, part hustle, part strategy. It’s not just about getting cheap stuff—it’s about the thrill of the hunt. Once you get your first haul, you’ll be hooked!
Just remember: don’t bug the employees, respect the store, and happy hunting! 🛒💰