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6 Reasons You Should Never Shop at Five Below

Some former customers think shoppers should skip this dollar store.

By Erica Loop , Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated Oct. 7, 2026

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As the name implies, Five Below is known for low price points set at "$5 and below." But recently, the retailer has come under fire for a few unexpected changes that have frustrated and disappointed loyal shoppers.

While you can still score deals galore at this dollar store, Five Below isn't always the best option for every bargain hunter. From the growing number of "five beyond" items to quality issues, consumers aren't shy about sharing their opinions of this retailer.

Not sure if Five Below is the best bet for your family's needs? Avoid wasting money and check out these six reasons to skip this discount chain.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

"Five Beyond" prices

Gone are the days when Five Below actually meant $5 and below. While you can still snag some items for this discounted price point, the store's newer "five beyond" buys make it harder to shop on a tight budget.

So what do shoppers think about the above-$5 items? In a recent Reddit thread, user kcmagicgirl complained, "I honestly think the beyond section is just garbage and landfill core," and customer Traditional-Shoe9375 added their opinion on where to find better deals: "I go to Ross or thrift clothing. I've been going to Dollar Tree for snacks, cheaper for M&M's mini baggies."

Yes, the higher prices do disappoint some customers. But you also need to compare the cost with what you could pay elsewhere. A pair of water-resistant Bluetooth LED earbuds sells for $8 at Five Below. Best Buy charges $26.99 for a similar selection from JLab.

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Lower quality

Not only do customers have a problem with Five Below's recent rash of price increases, but they also find fault with the quality. Redditor Livid-Vacation-1155 warned other shoppers, "I have never in my life had so many products just crumble as the ones I've bought from Five Below have. Like literally break in ways I didn't even know were possible, with prices higher than Walmart and Dollar Tree."

Keep in mind that these aren't blanket issues you will find across the store. Even though some customers report quality issues, others rave about (or at least are satisfied with) the products. Five Below subreddit user Machoire pointed out, "There's select things that are ok but a lot of stuff I'll never buy 'cuz, yeah, it's cheap."

Scanner overcharges

You see a sign and think, "$5? That's amazingly affordable." But then you get to the checkout and the bargain buy scans at a "beyond" price. What gives?

Shoppers aren't thrilled about the growing trend of scanner overcharges and price inconsistency. Reddit user Individual-Berry-808 found a book priced at $5, but then, "I went to checkout and when the cashier rang up the book it rang up at $20, the full retail price…The manager proceeded to inform me that the $5 books were only the books on the top of the display table."

One store employee added this explanation for unexpected charges: "Ever since the prices started going up at Five Below, employees have been instructed to purposefully not label items with prices."

Charges for shopping bags

Five Below recently jumped on the bring-your-own/buy-your-own bag bandwagon. Other retailers, like Aldi, cite financial and environmental concerns as the reason for the upcharge. But that doesn't mean every Five Below customer is happy to pay extra for a reusable tote.

Reddit user fairywitch7 expressed their feelings on the seemingly steep charge, writing, "For a store that's main focus is cheap items, why are the only available bags at checkout 38 cents? At most stores around here, bags are only five cents. It's honestly ridiculous. I carried my items out without a bag today on principle."

How can you avoid this extra $0.38? Instead of wasting cash on a new bag, bring your own from home.

Privacy issues

Five Below isn't the only retailer to ask for information like your phone number or email at checkout. Chains often use this information to sign up shoppers for loyalty programs or send electronic coupons and other discounts. But for a customer who values their privacy, this question may feel like an overstep.

Redditor Education_Bat2807 shared, "At the checkout the cashier asked for my email, and I am very selective about what companies I give that to, so I said no thank you. She insisted that it was required, and I was about to leave when she rang up my items but said that she was going to get in trouble with her manager."

Better deals for kids than adults

Unlike Dollar Tree and Dollar General, Five Below doesn't cater to a broad audience. As Reddit user Kooky_Ad593 points out, "It was a fun store for me ages 8-12, but I was mostly just interested in cheap crafts and cute erasers for school when they were super popular. As an adult, Five Below is not on my list as a usual place to shop."

Based on customers' comments, the store's stock skews towards tween and teen shoppers. That means the chain's staple selection of viral beauty buys, cute clothes, and trendy toys isn't likely to impress the over-20-something set.

Likewise, you may want to skip some of the branded merchandise, such as the KPop Demon Hunters Wireless Earbuds or Disney Stitch throws. That said, shoppers do report finding affordable deals on niche candy, global gourmet snacks, and books for the more mature shopper.

Don't Miss: 9 ways to tackle high grocery costs you won't hear about from your grocery store

Bottom line

So there you have it. Even though customers complain about increased prices, lower quality, scanner mismatches, and more, you can still shop this store.

Pro tip: Research bargain buys before you start spending. There's a wealth of TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram posts featuring real reviews from people just like you. Instead of assuming an item is worth your cash, listen to what experienced Five Below shoppers have to say.

Are you looking for a way to offset the newer "five beyond" pricing model? Use the best cash back credit cards to earn rewards on eligible purchases. The money you get back in points or perks could make it easier to save.

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