Which Dollar Store Actually Sells Penny Items?
All three chains mark discontinued items to $0.01 as an internal flag — but "will they actually sell it to you?" has three different answers. Here's where each stands as of 2026-06-25.
Dollar Tree — now sells pennies (2026)
For years Dollar Tree refused, but per a January 2026 internal memo (corroborated by employees), stores are now supposed to complete the sale when an item rings up a penny. It's still inconsistent and unannounced publicly, and staff often pull remaining stock right after you check out — so grab everything before the register. Details in our Dollar Tree penny policy guide.
Dollar General — policy says yes, stores vary
Dollar General's employee handbook says staff should sell a penny item a customer finds and not deny the sale — but enforcement is inconsistent and plenty of stores refuse. Treat it as "allowed on paper, hit or miss in practice." More in does Dollar General sell penny items.
Family Dollar — generally won't sell pennies
Family Dollar is the outlier: once an item pennies in the system it's flagged to be pulled, and registers/managers generally refuse the $0.01 sale (some ring it at $1 instead). Family Dollar's real value is deep clearance, not pennies — see Family Dollar clearance and the sticker-color guide.
Quick comparison
Dollar Tree: sells pennies (2026, improving). Dollar General: supposed to, but inconsistent. Family Dollar: generally won't. All three still create penny items; they just differ on honoring them at the register. Whatever the store, scan to confirm and never alter a tag.
FAQ
Which dollar store sells penny items?
Dollar Tree now does (as of a January 2026 policy change, though it's still inconsistent). Dollar General's handbook says to sell them but stores vary. Family Dollar generally will not sell pennies — its items are flagged to be pulled.
Does Family Dollar sell penny items?
Generally no. When something pennies in Family Dollar's system it's flagged to be removed, and stores typically refuse the one-cent sale. Family Dollar is better for deep clearance than for pennies.
Did Dollar Tree start selling penny items?
Yes — a widely reported January 2026 internal memo says stores should complete the sale when an item rings up a penny, reversing the old refuse-and-pull stance. Enforcement still varies by store.