Dollar General Colored Dots and Symbols Explained: 2026 Penny Shopping Guide
If you shop at Dollar General long enough, you will start noticing colored dots, stars, squares, clovers, diamonds, triangles, and other symbols on the product tags.
At first, they may appear random, but these Dollar General color codes usually help identify groups of merchandise.
The colored dots and symbols may be found on clothing, shoes, home décor, toys, seasonal merchandise, holiday items, accessories, and other products.
As older merchandise moves through its markdown cycle, the price may drop from 25% off to 50%, 70%, 90%, and sometimes eventually one cent.
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However, a colored dot does not automatically mean that an item is on clearance or priced at one penny. The same color may be reused for a newer season, and certain products may be excluded from a markdown.
That is why I always tell people:
Scan, scan, scan!
The Dollar General app is one of the most important tools for penny shopping because prices can vary by store. Remodel stores may also have prices that are different from what you see at other locations.
In this guide, I will explain what the Dollar General colored dots and symbols usually mean, how the markdown process works, how to check prices with the DG app, and what I have learned from my own penny-shopping experiences.
2026 Update: Dollar General penny lists and markdowns change regularly. Some weeks may have a new penny list, while other weeks may only have markdowns or no new penny items at all. Older tag examples in this article can still help you learn what to look for, but always check current information and scan each item before purchasing.
What Do the Colored Dots Mean at Dollar General?
Dollar General colored dots and symbols usually identify a group, season, or type of merchandise. For example, a particular colored dot may be connected to Fall and Winter clothing, while another may appear on home décor, towels, toys, or Spring and Summer merchandise.
These symbols help Dollar General keep track of merchandise as it moves through its sales cycle.
The symbols themselves do not always tell you the exact current price. They mainly help you recognize which group an item belongs to. You must still scan the UPC with the Dollar General app to check the price at your selected store.
Quick Answer for New Penny Shoppers
- A colored dot does not automatically mean an item is a penny.
- The season or year printed on the tag can be just as important as the symbol.
- Prices may differ from one Dollar General location to another.
- Older and newer merchandise may use similar symbols.
- Some items may be excluded from a markdown.
- The register price may be different from the app price.
- Tuesday is usually the day new penny items begin, but not every Tuesday has a new list.
- Always scan before going to the register.
Dollar General Label Codes and What They Mean
In addition to colored dots and shapes, you may notice letters printed near the UPC or elsewhere on the tag.
Some common Dollar General label codes include:
- F: Fall
- FW: Fall/Winter
- SS: Spring/Summer
- SP: Spring
- BTS: Back to School
You may also see a year printed beside the letters, such as F21, FW21, SS22, or F23.
Below are examples of some of the old tags when they sold clothing.
Dollar General blue tag label
This is a blue dot tag. Some blue dots are on clothes, shoes, accessories, and hats. This shows that it is Fall 2021.
If you have the DG app, scan the bar code and it will show half off. (430001517908)
This $12.50 item will be half off in stores that sell hanging clothes and 1.87 in stores that sell clothes that is about to remodel. The scanner shows reg. $6.25 but the original price was $12.50. This product is 50% off in stores that are not going to remodel yet. FW21 clothes have been 50% for awhile.
DG Yellow Circle code for clothing
This is a yellow dot which is SS22 or Spring Summer.
DG Grey Dot tag code
This is a grey dot from Fall 2020. This is now a penny item. Fall 2021 (F21) grey dot items will also be a penny. If you scan your DG app, you will see 0.00 or 0.01. Scan or enter the UPC which is 430001296940 located on the tag. Grey dot can be found on hanging clothes, winter clothes, and accessories. There is new grey dot out so make sure it says F21 or an earlier year.
UPC # is 430001519797. In a store I visited that is about to remodel this top is .75 cents. This is a V neck ladies Tee. Other stores are showing $2.50.
DG color codes
- Clover red- mainly in NCI stores. These are stores that have remodeled to become more of their non-seasonal along with more home type items without hanging clothes. This can be found in the home section.
- Clover green- mainly in NCI stores and home decor.
- Green dot- Home items like pillows, blankets, home decor, plates, and kitchen accessories.
- Red Square- summer shoes, some red square shoes have pennied but not all of them.
- Pink Square- summer toys, swim-type items. These are 50% off
- Lawn and Garden items
- F21 – are blue, accessories like purses and wallets, and shoes.
- Yellow dot- Includes shoes, hats, caps, and accessories.
- Green star- folded shirts like for Mother’s Day.
| Color or Symbol | Common Merchandise | Helpful Details |
|---|---|---|
| Red Clover | Home décor and household items | Usually found in NCI stores. These remodeled locations often carry more home merchandise and fewer racks of hanging clothes. |
| Green Clover | Home décor and household items | Commonly found in the home section of NCI Dollar General stores. |
| Green Dot | Pillows, blankets, plates, home décor and kitchen accessories | Green-dot merchandise is frequently connected with seasonal home and kitchen products. |
| Red Square | Summer shoes and seasonal merchandise | Some red-square shoes have reached one penny during previous markdown cycles, but not every item is included. |
| Pink Square | Summer toys, swimming products and outdoor play items | These products may enter seasonal clearance, but the current discount must be verified in the Dollar General app. |
| Lawn & Garden | Gardening, outdoor and lawn products | These products generally follow a seasonal markdown schedule as Summer ends. |
| F21 / Blue | Purses, wallets, accessories and shoes | F21 means Fall 2021. Older labels can help identify the product cycle, but the item should still be scanned. |
| Yellow Dot | Shoes, hats, caps, clothing and accessories | Check the season and year on the label because newer yellow-dot items may be priced differently from older ones. |
| Green Star | Folded shirts and special-occasion clothing | This may include packaged shirts made for occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or gifts for grandparents. |
Dollar General is constantly changing and bringing in new symbols and colors. Following social media sites that promotes penny shopping will help you to keep up.
Purple dot
Purple dot at dollar general is now a penny(2022). If your store has not pulled them and you see one, it’s the best deal you can get! Scan the code below. It should show 01 or 0.00. Both indicate it’s a penny.
This is a visual of the green square. Some of the red square shoes were a penny last year. As you can see it says FW21 (Fall 2021).
The green square shoes. Last year the green square was discounted but I don’t see any in my stores.
Red Clover
Exceptions: Some Items May not be a Penny
It’s important to be aware that certain items may be excluded from the penny pricing. Therefore, it’s advisable to check your app before making a purchase. YMMV (Your mileage may vary), as the store may have different prices than what you see on the app. This is why scanning items is crucial.
I’ve encountered old penny items that appeared as one cent in my app, but at the register, they either rang up as unavailable or full price. Unfortunately, cashiers have to adhere to what the register shows, so there’s not much you can do in such situations. However, some cashiers might kindly honor the intended price and provide you with the item at the discounted rate.
Items at Dollar General don’t instantaneously decrease to a penny. As we transition into Spring, the prices of Fall and Winter items begin a gradual decline. Dollar General may initiate a series of discounts starting at 25% off, followed by 50% off, and sometimes even offering deals such as buy one, get one free. Eventually, these reductions reach 70%, then escalate to 90%, and finally, the items might drop to just a penny.
Dollar General Color Code Cheat Sheet
Dollar General changes its merchandise and symbols over time, but these are some of the items commonly connected with different dots and shapes.
🔵 Blue Dot
Common Blue Dot Merchandise
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Hats
- Accessories
- Journals
- Books
- Some pillows
🟡 Yellow Dot
Common Yellow Dot Merchandise
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Hats and caps
- Bags
- Accessories
- Decorative backpacks
- Some toys
⚪ Gray Dot
Common Gray Dot Merchandise
- Fall and Winter clothing
- Hats and gloves
- Accessories
- Journals
- Notebooks
- Packaged winter wear
- Some Fruit of the Loom items
🟢 Green Dot
Common Green Dot Merchandise
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Towels
- Cups and plates
- Kitchen towels
- Pot holders
- Storage containers
- Home decorations
- Boxes and baskets
🟣 Purple Dot
Common Purple Dot Merchandise
- Washcloths
- Towels
- Plates and cups
- Pillows
- Baskets
- Storage containers
- Shower liners
- Summer decorations
🟤 Brown Dot
Common Brown Dot Merchandise
- Towels
- Cups
- Blankets
- Fleece throws
- Rugs
- Hooded towels
- Storage containers
- Baskets
- Some small appliances
🔴 Red Dot
Common Red Dot Merchandise
- Pillows
- Candles
- Picture frames
- Pot holders
- Glassware
- Shower liners
- Ottomans
- Brooms
- Stationery
☘️ Red and Green Clovers
Common Clover Merchandise
- Candles
- Candle holders
- Home decorations
- Kitchen products
- Seasonal housewares
- Other home décor
🟥 Red and Pink Squares
Common Square Merchandise
- Summer shoes
- Seasonal clothing
- Summer toys
- Swimming products
- Outdoor play items
- Water toys
⭐ Green Star
Common Green Star Merchandise
- Folded shirts
- Packaged T-shirts
- Mother’s Day shirts
- Father’s Day shirts
- Grandma shirts
- Grandpa shirts
- Special-occasion clothing
Penny shopping is not the same as an advertised one-cent sale. Employees do not set up a penny section for customers to shop. It is more like a treasure hunt for discontinued merchandise that was missed during the pull.
For that reason, do not ask employees where the penny items are. Use the current list, look at the pictures, check the symbols, and scan the products yourself.
How to Use the Dollar General App to Check Prices
Before shopping, make sure the Dollar General app is set to the location you are visiting. Prices can differ by store, so selecting the correct store is very important.
To check a product:
- Open the Dollar General app.
- Confirm that the correct store is selected.
- Open the barcode scanner.
- Scan the UPC on the product.
- Check the price and description.
- Make sure the item in the app matches the item in your hand.
When the barcode will not scan, you may be able to enter the UPC manually.
What Do 0.00, 0.01, and “See Store for Price” Mean?
A result of 0.01 may indicate that the item is priced at one penny.
A result of 0.00 has sometimes appeared on items that ring up for one penny. However, 0.00 can also occur because of an app problem or unavailable pricing.
See store for price” does not automatically mean the item is one cent either. But from my experience is has been a penny.
The register price is the final test. Scan carefully, verify the UPC, and remember that the app can occasionally be wrong.
What If the App and Register Show Different Prices?
I have encountered older penny items that showed one cent in the app but rang up as unavailable or at full price at the register.
This can happen because:
- The price reset
- The app has not updated
- The item is excluded
- The wrong store is selected
- The UPC belongs to a slightly different version
- The store has its own special markdown
- The system is experiencing a glitch
Cashiers usually have to follow what appears in the register system. Some may help when there is an obvious pricing problem, but you should be prepared for the register price to be different.
Are Some Items Excluded From Penny Pricing?
Yes. Items that appear similar may not always follow the same markdown.
For example, most products in a particular colored-dot group may be discounted while certain shoes, toys, appliances, or accessories remain at regular price.
You may also find an item that previously reached a penny but has since reset to a higher price.
This is why experienced shoppers say YMMV, meaning “your mileage may vary.” A deal available at one store may not be available at another.
Dollar General Toy Symbols and Color Codes
Toys can be more complicated because their markdown schedules do not always follow the same timing as clothing, home décor, or holiday items.
Toy tags may include:
- Blue stars
- Yellow stars
- Yellow dots
- Blue dots
- Red squares
- Other seasonal symbols
Why the Year on a Toy Tag Matters
An older toy and a newer toy may have the same symbol. Look for a season or year code printed on the label.
For example, an older blue-star toy marked F19 belongs to a different merchandise cycle than a newer blue-star toy.
My older examples are useful for recognizing the tags, but you must check a current 2026 toy list before assuming an older symbol has reached its final markdown.
| Toy Symbol | Usually Found On | Always Check | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
Blue Star | Older toy merchandise | ✔Year printed on the tag ✔Product description in the DG app ✔UPC number ✔Current store price | Blue Star toys have often followed a longer markdown cycle than many other toy groups. 📷 Place your Blue Star toy and F19 tag photos here. |
Yellow Dot & Yellow Star | Seasonal toys and children’s merchandise | ✔Compare the tag year ✔Scan the UPC ✔Verify the current price | Older Yellow Dot and Yellow Star toys may be heavily discounted while newer toys with the exact same symbol remain full price. |
Red Square | Summer toys, water toys and outdoor play items | ✔Scan every item ✔Check the season ✔Verify the markdown | Red Square toys are usually connected with Summer merchandise, but every item should still be scanned before purchasing. |
Holiday and Seasonal Dollar General Symbols
Holiday products are often easier to identify because the tag may show the holiday name, colors, or recognizable seasonal artwork.
After a holiday, merchandise may begin at 25% or 50% off and continue dropping as the store prepares for the next season.
Christmas
Christmas labels frequently use red, green, holiday patterns, or the word “Christmas.”
Products may include:
- Candles
- Decorations
- Gift items
- Stockings
- Pillows
- Candy
- Holiday housewares
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day merchandise may include candy, decorations, pillows, gift items, and products with red, pink, or heart-shaped designs.
Candy connected with the holiday may follow the Valentine’s Day markdown, but verify the product because regular candy can be mixed into the same section.
Easter
Easter merchandise is often easy to recognize by its pastel colors, bunnies, eggs, and Spring designs.
I found several Easter pillows during one of my shopping trips. I have also found home décor that followed the Easter markdown even when the holiday name was not obvious on the front of the product.
Check the label and look for pastel seasonal packaging.
Halloween
Halloween merchandise may feature orange, black, purple, pumpkins, ghosts, or a Halloween label.
Halloween candy and decorations may be mixed with regular products, so inspect the packaging carefully.
Fall and Harvest
Fall and Harvest merchandise often uses orange, brown, red, leaves, pumpkins, and other autumn designs.
These products may include decorations, candles, kitchen towels, pillows, and home décor.
Other Items That May Follow a Seasonal Markdown
Not every seasonal product has an obvious colored dot.
During previous penny-shopping trips, I have found or watched markdowns on:
- Calendars
- Planners
- Novelty gifts
- Back-to-School products
- Pens and markers
- Some backpacks
- Flashlights
- Car gadgets
- Cords
- Books
Calendars and planners may be located near greeting cards, on an end cap, or in a display box.
This is why I look throughout the store instead of checking only the clearance section. Seasonal items can be placed almost anywhere.
I also like looking at pictures in penny-shopping groups before I head out. The pictures help me recognize merchandise more quickly and decide which items I am actually interested in finding.
Should You Wait Until it Turns a Penny?
Not always.
When an item reaches 90% off, there is a chance it will be sold or pulled before it reaches one cent.
If it is something I truly want or need, I may buy it at 90% off instead of gambling on finding it later.
For example, when Fruit of the Loom sweatpants and jackets were marked down by 90%, I purchased several for about $1.25 each. I did not want to risk losing them just to save another dollar or so.
I was still fortunate enough to find more of them later for one penny.
A penny is exciting, but 70% or 90% off can still be an excellent deal—especially when the product is useful to you.
When Is the Best Time to Shop for Penny Items?
New Dollar General penny items commonly begin on Tuesdays.
Shopping when the store opens may improve your chances because popular items can disappear quickly. However, penny items can still be found later in the week, especially when they are hidden behind newer products or overlooked in an unexpected aisle.
Not every Tuesday has a new penny list.
Before making a special trip, check current Dollar General penny-shopping sources to find out whether there is a list that week. You can easily look up penny shopping of different media resources.
Penny items may also reset to a higher price after a period of time, so old penny lists should not be treated as current lists.
How to Prepare Before Penny Shopping
Here is the simple routine I follow:
- Look at the current penny list.
- Study pictures of the products.
- Save useful UPC numbers or screenshots.
- Make sure my Dollar General app is working.
- Select the correct store in the app.
- Check the areas where seasonal products are normally sold.
- Look behind newer merchandise and on high or low shelves.
- Scan every item before placing it in my cart.
- Stay polite and do not interfere with employees doing their jobs.
- Buy only what I can use, give away, or reasonably store.
I do not usually visit a store the night before just to hide or move merchandise. During my normal trips, I pay attention to products that are dropping in price and remember where they are located.
Penny shopping should be fun. It should not create extra work for employees or other customers.
My Honest Thoughts About Penny Shopping
Penny shopping can be exciting, but every trip is not successful.
Sometimes I find a cart full of useful merchandise. Other times I visit several stores and leave with nothing.
Stores are getting better at pulling discontinued items, and many other shoppers are looking for the same products. You may also spend money on gas and use a lot of time driving from one location to another.
That is why I try to be practical. I do not buy something simply because it costs one penny. My goal is to find products that my family can use, that I can give to someone else, or that are worth purchasing.
The real fun is in the treasure hunt—and occasionally finding something wonderful for almost nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dollar General Colored Dots
| Question | Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| What do the colored dots mean? | Colored dots usually identify seasonal or grouped merchandise such as clothing, shoes, home décor, toys, accessories, and holiday items. |
| How do I know if an item is a penny? | Check the current penny list, verify the UPC, scan the item in the Dollar General app, and remember the register price is final. |
| What does 0.00 mean? | Sometimes an item that shows 0.00 may ring up for one penny, but it can also be an app or pricing issue. Always verify before buying. |
| What does 0.01 mean? | 0.01 usually means the item costs one penny, but always verify the UPC and product description. |
| What day do penny items begin? | Most new penny items start on Tuesday, although not every Tuesday has a new penny list. |
| Are prices the same at every store? | No. Inventory, remodel markdowns, exclusions, and local pricing can all affect the final price. |
| Should I ask employees where penny items are? | No. Penny shoppers locate and scan items themselves rather than asking employees to find them. |
| Why is the app price different from the register? | The wrong store may be selected, prices may have changed, or the item may be excluded. The register price is generally the final price. |
| What is a remodel store? | A remodel store is being reorganized or converted to a different layout. Clearance prices may be lower during the remodel. |
| Do Dollar General toys penny every year? | No. Toy markdown schedules vary. Always check the symbol, year, UPC, and current price. |
| Do I need to memorize every symbol? | No. Current penny lists, product photos, UPC numbers, and the Dollar General app are much more helpful. |
Learning the Dollar General color codes and symbols can make penny shopping much easier, but no symbol guarantees a particular price.
Use the dots, stars, squares, clovers, triangles, and season codes as clues. Then verify the item with the Dollar General app.
Most importantly, pay attention to the year, select the correct store, and check current penny-shopping information before making a special trip.
Dollar General prices and markdowns can change quickly. What scans for a penny at one store may scan at full price at another.
When everything lines up, though, finding a useful item for only one cent is still one of the most exciting parts of shopping at Dollar General.
Red Triangle
This color code falls under the winter season. These are the winter socks.
Gray Dot
Gray dot is also part of winter which consist of journal books, accessories, winter wear (hats, gloves), clothing.
Blue Dot
Blue is also Fall/Winter and consists of Journal books, clothes, shoes, accessories, and some pillows.
Other Fall & Winter Dollar General Codes and Labels
Many products follow Dollar General’s Fall/Winter markdown cycle, including calendars, planners, novelty gifts, backpacks, pens, markers, and other Back-to-School supplies.
I found all of the items pictured below for just one penny each!
Items like this are often seen during Christmas time. Now they are a penny. This is an exception to the rule because they have a brown dot.
These items are gray dot Fruit of the Loom. They follow winter wear. This is why it’s important to follow groups to see exactly what has reduced in price or pennied.
Calendars and planners are found in display boxes. These could be in the aisle of the cards or near an end cap. Just look everywhere!
The back-to-school season encompasses a wide range of items, including books, pens, and even car gadgets, flash lights etc. Alongside these, there are other winter items like cords, although I don’t have any pictures available at the moment. However, you can find these items and more by exploring Facebook groups dedicated to such deals. Personally, I find it enjoyable to review pictures of the items before embarking on my penny shopping adventures. It helps me plan and identify the items I’m interested in getting.
Brown Dot Items
Brown dot items encompass a variety of products such as towels, cups, homeware, rolled-up blankets, fleece, rugs, blankets, and hooded towels, cloth storage containers. On the other hand, certain appliances like air fryers, waffle makers, slow cookers, and more sometimes follow brown dot. To know if it does this year watch the price. Once brown dot prices go down, scan the appliances. If it drops too then it will possibly be a penny when the brown dot pennies.
Other Colored Dots
Red Dot
It can be stationary that normally will go down in price and penny along with the back-to-school items. Other red dots that penny together are: pillows, candles, housewares like decorations, pot holders, glassware, shower liners, Ottoman, brooms, etc. You will find more houseware items in NCI stores. These stores do not sell hanging clothes (most are converting to this type).
Purple Dot
Purple dot items: face clothes, towels, houseware, plates, summer-type items, shower liners, decorations, boxes, pillows, cups, baskets, and storage containers.
Green Dot
The green dot is similar to purple in that you find a lot of the same items except green. Things like towels, cups, houseware, boxes, storage, kitchen towels, and pot holders. If your store still has clothes some of them will be tagged green dot.
Yellow Dot
Yellow dot can be accessories, clothes,bags, shoes, hats, and decorative backpacks. If you see yellow dot sandals (flip-flops) these are mostly excluded. Some stores will do their own clearance to get rid of them I rarely see this penny.
Other Symbols/Color Codes
This is a picture of a candle holder. Dollar General also has different symbols including red and green clovers as well as red and green squares. Occasionally, the shapes of these symbols may change, adding an element of surprise and complexity. Deciphering the meaning behind these symbol variations can be a task in itself.
The candle holder above scanned for a penny. 0.00 indicates 1 cent at the register. This followed Easter items that were recently penned. If the item is a penny it may also say, .01 or see store for price.
Yellow tags can be found on books. I got books that surprised pennied this year.
Red Green Clover/Red Green Square
In Dollar General, you can often find red and green clovers specifically in the houseware decorations section of the store. If you’re looking for these items, NCI stores are a great place to search. On the other hand, the presence of red and green squares has become less common in recent times. They used to be primarily associated with seasonal clothes and shoes when Dollar General carried such merchandise. However, their usage seems to have diminished over time.
Green Star
You can spot the green star symbol on clothing items, particularly on special tees like those featuring phrases such as “Grandma” or “Grandpa.” These specific garments are typically folded neatly and packaged with label packaging, making them easily identifiable by the green star symbol.
Toys Symbols and Color Codes at Dollar General
Some of the color codes and shapes are similar to the other merchandise at Dollar General but they are on their own time schedule for reducing in price and eventually becoming a penny.
Toys penny in cycles. It’s about every 3 years. For instance, blue star 2019 pennied this year. There are new blue star toys (2023) that won’t penny until 2026.
Yellow Dot
As of May 23, 2023, yellow dot toys are 70% off. This does not include the newer yellow dot but older toys. These toys will have a 2020 date on it. Not the new 2023 toys.
F19 Blue Star
Blue Star
The old blue stars recently pennied. These would be 2019. Toys are reduced in price and penny about every three years. So, since Blue Star pennied this year. Blue Star won’t penny again until 2026. Sadly these toys have already reset.
Red Square Toy
Most red square toys are summer toys. Unlike the other toys red square will reduce in price and penny every year.
Blue and Yellow Dot Toys
Toys labeled with blue and yellow dots can be easily identified as such. When these toys go on sale and begin to be marked down, their discounted status becomes readily apparent. This makes it convenient for shoppers to spot and recognize the reduced prices on these specific blue and yellow-labeled toys.
Yellow Star
Once toys enter their cycle of being marked down and eventually penny, you will hear some buzz on social media.
Yellow Star
Holiday Symbols
Holiday symbols are easy to spot, and holiday items quickly drop in price. Most will have the holiday name or the color on the label. For instance, red for Christmas, orange for Harvest. Right after a holiday, they may be reduced to 25% off, and the prices keep decreasing until they reach one cent.
Easter
Easter Pillow. I was able to find several of these. Note the light pastel colors.
Valentine's Day candy 2022
Candy that follows Valentine’s Day will also be a penny. So anything you notice in the candy section for this holiday will be included.
Halloween Label
Christmas
Holiday labels can also be recognize by its color.
Fall Harvest
Vase that followed Easter
So if you don’t see the holiday name on the item follow the color. This is Easter.
It’s worth noting that the duration for which items remain at a penny has decreased in recent times compared to previous years. Previously, you could find penny items still available months or even a year later. However, now they tend to reset back to their regular prices much quicker. Therefore, it’s advisable to seize the opportunity promptly when items transition to a penny.
What is the Dollar General Policy for buying an item for a penny?
According to store policy, if penny items are found on the sales floor at Dollar General, the employees are obligated to sell them to customers. This underscores the importance of scanning the items to verify their one-cent price and promptly placing them in your cart. By ensuring you have scanned and collected the penny items you want, you can confidently proceed to the checkout, knowing that the store is obliged to honor the penny price for these items.
While some individuals may choose to visit the store a day before to see what remains of the upcoming penny items, it’s important to remember that the store still has the discretion to remove these items. Despite the anticipation, there is always the possibility that the store might pull the items before they reach the penny price.
What are surprise penny items?
Surprise pennies are items that turn a penny that the managers do not know about. Sometimes people discover this by scanning an item in the store or having a list of old UPCs that they regularly scan. Then they share on social media with the caption: SURPRISE PENNIES. For more information click here.
What to do with all the penny items?
People have various options when it comes to penny items at Dollar General—they can sell, donate, give as gifts, or simply keep them for themselves.
Personally, I engage in all of these activities. Dollar General offers a wide range of interesting and useful products, and being able to acquire them for just a penny is unbeatable.
In an economy where prices are generally high, it’s truly fantastic to find items at such low costs. These affordable finds can serve multiple purposes, whether it’s for personal use, to start a side hustle and earn extra cash, or to contribute to charitable causes through donations. It’s a win-win situation that allows us to make the most of the opportunity and enjoy the benefits of affordable items in various ways.
Make sure you know how to use the DG App
I have seen people in stores that didn’t know how to use the DG app. I like to help people to learn how, but it’s not easy if we are all in the store trying to find items to stop. Penny shopping can be very competitive. Click here to see how to download the app.
Tips if you have issues with the app
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| App Problem | What I Do | Backup Option |
|---|---|---|
| The app will not scan | Make sure your phone is connected to the Dollar General Wi-Fi. Open the connection or Wi-Fi settings on your phone, select Dollar General, and accept the connection. Then return to the DG app and tap the scanner inside the search bar. | Close and reopen the DG app after connecting to the store Wi-Fi. |
| Every item shows 0.00 and the app returns to the home page | This sometimes happens to me after I have scanned a lot of items. The app may briefly show 0.00 and then jump back to the home page. Restarting my phone usually fixes the problem. | You can also close the app completely and reopen it before restarting your phone. |
| The scanner still will not show a price | From the app's home page, tap the cart icon near the bottom of the screen. Another scanner may appear inside the shopping-cart section. Scan the item there, and the price may appear as the product is added to your cart. | You do not have to place an online order. I sometimes use the cart scanner only to check the store price. |
| The app or internet will not work anywhere inside the store | Some stores simply have a weak connection. I visit one location where I cannot use the DG app, my mobile internet, or even make a phone call while I am inside. Everything starts working again when I go outside. | Take a picture of the item and its UPC, step outside to check the price, and then return to the store if you still want to purchase it. |
| I cannot get a connection, but I need the price | Call or text a friend or family member who has the Dollar General app. Read the UPC number to them so they can scan or search for the item. | Make sure they select the same Dollar General store you are shopping in because prices can vary by location. |
The Reality of Penny Shopping
Penny shopping is fun, but it does take time and patience. Every Dollar General store is different. Some stores are full of penny items, while others may have very few because they were sold during earlier clearance sales or removed by employees.
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find anything right away. Search carefully, check every aisle, and be patient. I usually visit four or five stores during a penny shopping trip. It’s tiring, but finding those hidden penny treasures makes it all worthwhile!
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12 thoughts on “Dollar General Colored Dots and Symbols Explained: 2026 Penny Shopping Guide”
Great post! It’s always helpful to understand the meaning behind the different colored dots at Dollar General. Your explanation of each color’s significance is clear and informative. Thanks for sharing this useful guide! 💚💙💛🧡❤️
Welcome!
What a great resource for shoppers. I love Dollar General but had no clue about this great info! Thank you for sharing!
Welcome!
What a great resource for shoppers. I love Dollar General but had no clue about this great info! Thank you for sharing!
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