News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

11 Dreadful Mistakes Shoppers Make at Five Below

Five Below could cost you more than you think if you don’t pay attention to shopping mistakes.

five below store in elmwood
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Five Below can help you save money on essentials and extras like home decor and seasonal favorites.

But you could make plenty of mistakes at Five Below that might cost you money instead of saving you cash.

Review these mistakes before shopping at Five Below so you don’t waste extra cash.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

You make impulse purchases

jetcityimage/Adobe Five Below bin

It can be easy to walk into a Five Below with a set shopping list and walk out with more because you saw something unique or wanted more than what was on your list.

Impulse purchases can add up even if you are shopping at a discount store like Five Below, so try to limit your impulse buying or stick with a specific list.


You shop at the wrong times

Ruslan Gilmanshin/Adobe shopping cart view

Five Below is a popular store for people who want to save money, but some times are better than others when it comes to saving money.

Try to maximize your time at Five Below by shopping at non-busy times, such as during the week instead of weekends, or going off-peak times so you don’t have to stand in long lines and have better access to inventory.


You don’t keep track of costs

jetcityimage/Adobe Five Below shelves

It can be easy to fill a cart or basket with different items as you wander the aisles of Five Below because the items are so cheap.

But those costs can add up, so it’s important to keep track of what you’re adding to your cart rather than being shocked at the final total when you check out.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote


You don’t compare prices

jetcityimage/Adobe dollar tree discount store

You might think you don’t need to compare prices when shopping at a discount store like Five Below.

However, you might be surprised to find that similar products are available at other discount stores, such as Dollar Tree or Dollar General, for even less money.

You don’t know the return policy

Vladimir Razgulyaev/Adobe girl looks at the receipt

You might be used to stores that allow you to make returns without a receipt or give you a generous return policy window.

Five Below will allow you to return items for up to 90 days, but you will need a receipt. If you trash your receipt or lose it, you could end up stuck with an item and not able to return it.


You open an item

Prostock-studio/Adobe Woman unpacking damaged carton box

Another strict part of Five Below’s return policy is that it will not take back any item that has been opened.

So, if you bought something but are unsure if you’ll want to return it at some point, you should make sure you don't open boxes or packages.


You bought electronics

Sajawal/Adobe  compact portable speaker

One reason Five Below is able to pass along discounts to its customers is that it may be sacrificing quality for low cost.

But that could mean you’re getting a low-quality product that could break easily, especially for electronics like earbuds or Bluetooth speakers.

You pay the shipping fee

Ascannio/Adobe amazon logo on a smartphone

Five Below charges a flat shipping fee of $7.95 per order, which is fine if you’re buying several products at once.

But if you're only buying one item, that shipping fee can be more expensive than the item itself. Instead, consider a website like Amazon, which offers free shipping for smaller orders.

You want something delivered soon

Gnans/Adobe Amazon boxes stacked on a porch

Amazon is also a great place to buy items if you need them delivered soon, with some products showing up the next day on your front porch.

However, Five Below’s shipping options aren’t as quick, and you could end up waiting five to seven days for most orders and up to 10 days for some items.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!2

Get Capital One Shopping now


You buy seasonal items at peak season

Phil Lowe/Adobe festive halloween scarecrow stand

You might be excited about Halloween or Christmas and are ready to buy all the decorations at Five Below right below the holiday.

If you don't need the items immediately, it may be a better idea to hold off until after the holiday. You could get a bigger discount on seasonal items that Five Below needs to move after the season.

You put too much wear and tear on items

chas53/Adobe Backpack With School Supplies on countertop

The cost of buying something repeatedly at Five Below to replace the subpar quality of the previous item can add up and waste your money.

You may be better off buying items like backpacks for school or clothes that could get a lot of wear at a different store. It may cost more initially, but you could save money in the long run.

Bottom line

Refrina/Adobe five below store sign

Five Below can be a great place to shop, but you should check your shopping plans before you go so you don’t make mistakes that could cost you money.

If you’re on a budget, you should also consider using the best cashback credit cards that can earn you extra perks or points on your next trip.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details