Brand Name Bonanza at Dollarama

When Dollarama decided to start selling stuff priced up to $2 last year, people complained that it wasn't a true dollar store anymore. But, let's face facts; inflation happens and I think the folks at Dollarama were smart not to stubbornly resist that reality.

Things that had disappeared from shelves, like dish drainers, began to reappear priced at $1.25. Dishpans that were getting a little floppy from the use of thinner plastics, are a bit more pricey now, but sturdier. That's a good thing. And yeah, some things, like tea lights that used to come in a package of 20 for a buck, now cost the same for a package of 16. That's the way of the economic world, wherever you shop.

The two buck price point means that Dollarama can now offer a greater variety of merchandise and it's quality stuff, too. I, for one, love the decorative items like the glass vases. And just look at the variety of full-sized brand name health and beauty items turning up on store shelves.

Dove Deep Moisture Beauty Body Wash, 354 ml costs $4.72 at Wal-Mart. I got mine for $2.

You can go online and order 50g Oxy Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 for $14.69 but it's out of stock at this writing. I got the exact same thing for two bucks at Dollarama.

The anti-perspirants only cost 66 cents more at Wal-Mart but all those cents add up to dollars saved in the long run. Here's just four of the brand name deodorants for both men and women, I've found for $2 each in the last few months.

Women's Degree anti-perspirant solid, 48g.

Arm & Hammer Advance anti-perspirant, value size, 113 g

Right Guard, Professional Strength men's deodorant, 51g

Soft & Dri conditioning silk anti-perspirant for women, 60 g

Other products I have in my bathroom cabinet that I found at Dollarama include got2b Power Grip Spray Gel, 250 ml, Dove Energy Glow body lotion, 248 ml and Noxema Continuous Clean Mask, which only cost $1.50.

The down side of all these savings? What you see on the shelf one week probably won't reappear any time soon, if at all. Dollar store buyers snap up over-stock or, in the case of deodorants, it seems to be the discontinued types that end up in dollar stores. But it's all good stuff and I, for one, don't care what brand of deodorant I use as long as I know it's got a good name behind it. Also, what you find in one Dollarama may not be stocked in another one.

When it comes to brand name health and beauty items at dollar stores, it's best to pick up a couple when you see them. I wish I'd done that with the Dove body wash.

Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes tips and ideas for home decor using only items from the dollar store.