Dollar General Penny Remodel: My Ramblings

Yesterday, I went to a Dollar General store location near me.  No one made big messes, but the store had an overall messy appearance when I was there (around 10:30 am).  I am going to get back to that part in a minute.

So, yesterday was the day that this particular Dollar General store pennied for the upcoming remodel.  I don’t know for certain as to how long the manager knew it was going to be this particular Sunday, but from what I saw in the store, I think she only found out Saturday evening.

Why I say this?  Well, because 50% off clearance signs were just being put up on Saturday.  Why would they put up clearance signs instead of pulling the items?  I went back later on Saturday … and that is EXACTLY what they were doing … pulling the items that would penny.

This is one of a few carts on the sales floor on Saturday night.

My husband said that one of the employees had a long list of items (items to be pulled).  But, here is the thing:  Dollar General RARELY ever gives a complete list.  Even the best manager trying to do her job is left with items that she knows nothing about.  And, that is exactly what happened in this case.

But, WE know the items!  At least those of us who follow Dollar General remodels and check in the DG app or on Brickseek for specific items.  That is why our Facebook groups are also very helpful.  We can check at our remodel for items that went to a penny at other remodels.

And, straight up, I feel bad for the manager who works tirelessly to do her job with Dollar General slipping on the information that they give her.

With that said, I do enjoy finding penny items.   It is not the blame of the customer, but the corporation who puts this into play.  We have no control over what goes to clearance and or pennies … we just find the items.

I have been penny shopping for just about 10 years now.  My website has been around since April of 2014.  I also have an app and have always tried to help people save money.

The last remodel that I went to, I mostly found penny paper plates (lots and lots of paper plates).  That and flour sack towels were at the top of my list … and is exactly what I found.  My cat used to eat off of paper plates, so I was really happy that I got them for pennies.  I quit using paper plates though because after I went through all those, I didn’t want to “waste” money on more paper plates.

Anyway, this time, my sister was supposed to go with me to the remodel as she is a traveling RN caseworker and there were items that she was hoping to get to give to some of her clients.  Some of her clients are extremely poor … beyond what most of us think as poor.  Since the store started pulling the night before, she decided not to come … and well, they didn’t open until (from what I heard) around 9:30 am.  I went at 10:30 am though and still got a decent cart full of penny items.  I am giving the cereal and the feminine products to my sister for her to give to her clients.

I realize a manager may get mad that people find pennies in their store, but it doesn’t really hurt them … and the pennies help so many people.

I have never been one to seek out fame (like some of the bloggers/Tik Tockers).  My goal has always been to help others find deals.  And, with penny shopping, to help people penny shop correctly and not leave messes for the stores.

Back when I started posting about penny shopping, there was so much misinformation out there.  I tried my hardest to get the correct info out there so the stores didn’t have extra work.  I’ve seen a lot in these past (almost 10) years.  I’ve seen penny shoppers leave whole carts at the register because nothing rang a penny.  I’ve seen stores destroyed over finding just one pair of penny shoes.  Imagine how the employees feel who now have to clean up these messes on top of their other duties.  Penny shopping is a little easier now though.  You can scan the UPC for prices with the DG app.  We didn’t have that 10 years ago.

So anyway, remember that every little thing you move in a store … moving stuff to look in back or pushing things to the side, those things are now out of place.  When everyone does that, the whole store looks messy.  I think it’s sad that people can’t clean up after themselves.

Also, I found a few items on Saturday that somehow made it to the back of a shelf behind things.  I go to this store often, so I know those were not there a day or so before.  So, like any respectable person, I pulled the items that were supposed to penny to the front of the shelf.  It irks me to no end when people hide items that they think will penny.  It’s one thing to find penny items that the employees missed and a whole different thing when someone hides stuff.

Okay, I’ll get off that soapbox.

I would like to ask a favor from those of you who have been shopping lately and maybe even hit a good remodel store.  Would you please do a review (a favorable review, if you can).  Most managers are not your enemy.  They don’t like their  stores destroyed and they are just trying to do their jobs.

I hope you all had a great weekend!  Thanks for reading this and I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Happy shopping!