11 Ways Five Below Has Changed for the Worse, According to Shoppers

Plenty of shoppers love saving on essentials at Five Below, and it's a top stop for regular deals and dupes of popular products. Yet many more shoppers are quickly falling out of love with the discount retailer, for reasons ranging from unexpectedly closed stores to soaring prices.

Check out these 11 ways that Five Below is changing for the worse, according to genuine customers, and judge for yourself whether the retailer still offers good value.

One shopper was disgusted when she ordered online for pickup at the store, drove 20 minutes, then discovered that the same store was closed for inventory management. Despite the sign saying the store would open at noon, it was still closed over an hour and a half later.

Perhaps moving inventory-based tasks to the night shift could help Five Below retain customers. Top tip: Call ahead before picking up your goods to check if the store is open.

Many reviewers point out that Five Below stores can be messy, disorganized, and packed with employees who don't seem interested in fixing those issues.

One Baltimore shopper was alarmed when a ball almost hit his mother in the face because the staff was playing catch in the middle of the store. He also noted that there was inventory scattered on the floor while at least seven employees played and ignored the mess.

Many of the items that used to be $5 (or less) are now $7. One shopper noted that items on the Five Below app seemed to jump from $5 to $7 almost overnight, particularly in the home section of the retailer.

They're not imagining it. Prices at Five Below have been climbing since 2019, with a Five Beyond section focused on higher-priced items being added to some stores in 2023. Check prices before throwing items in your basket to avoid a nasty surprise at checkout.

Regular Five Below shoppers comment that the music never changes, and it's starting to grate. One customer said it "...hurts my soul." Employees back this up, with one commenting that they had been at Five Below for five years and now know the "...musical composition and lyrics of each song."

Noise-canceling headphones or your own playlist can help alleviate this musical pain point.

Many retailers have opted to ignore self-checkouts and keep their cashiers working. Five Below appears to be trying to get the best of both worlds by having store employees work at the self-checkouts.

Some customers now complain that they can no longer scan or bag their own goods as they like, despite the self-checkout machines still being present.

Some Five Below customers have noted a decline in quality. Two shoppers reported electronic goods that simply didn't work straight out of the box. Another stated that a holiday-scented body scrub hardened overnight.

The same shopper with the defective body scrub also noted that it's a shame you can't review products on Five Below's website to give other shoppers a heads-up about any quality issues.

The returns policy seems clear and fair on the website: just bring the unopened or defective item back to any store with the original receipt within 90 days. Shoppers have found that in reality, this policy isn't always honored.

One customer reported how they were due a refund but ended up being charged twice for the same item, and couldn't get the money back even when they spoke to the dedicated customer service team.

Many reviews bemoan the poor standard of customer service at Five Below, both when shopping in-store and when dealing with online orders.

Shoppers report difficulties getting help with failed deliveries, incorrect advice from a store manager, and a cashier rushing and rolling their eyes at a child who was slowly counting out money to make a purchase.

Some customers have complained about being followed around the store as if they were a shoplifter.

One Alabama shopper declared they had been a loyal customer for years but wouldn't be back, saying, "If you want to be very blatantly stalked like you're trying to steal something by completely rude staff members while by all means shop here."

Ordering online from Five Below can be tricky, as one shopper found out. The site didn't let them review their order before completing it. Upon receiving the confirmation, they discovered that their goods were being delivered 200 miles away from their desired destination.

Remember to check any fields that may have autocompleted before you finalize your purchase.

Finding a product you really need at Five Below can be a challenge. For example, one customer noted that there are always cases for iPhones and never any for Samsung.

The shop's website confirms that currently, the store only has iPhone-compatible phone cases, and most of these are at the higher price point of $7 rather than $5.

Customers are increasingly becoming irritated with paying more for low levels of quality and service, and they're not shy about voicing their concerns. However, there are still plenty of bargains to be found at Five Below if you take the time to browse the store or website thoroughly.

The new, increased price points must be working for the retailer, as it plans to open 150 new stores throughout 2025. Keep an eye out for new stores opening near you as they're likely to be well stocked to help you stretch your paycheck further.