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.
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You make impulse purchases
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
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
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.
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You don’t compare prices
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
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.
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You open an item
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
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
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
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.
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You buy seasonal items at peak season
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
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
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
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
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