Wal-Mart Vs. Dollar Tree

We're all for saving money on this site, and when I saw a article about Wal-Mart vs. Dollar Stores on MSN today it got me thinking. Which one is better for deals?

In my area, we have an abundance of both stores. I have 2 Wal-Mart stores within 20 minutes drive and way more Dollar Trees within the same distance. To determine which one is better all comes down to what you are looking to buy.

Price
On items that were sold at both stores, Dollar Store usually wins. Some items such as paper plates, plastic utensils, small snacks, sodas, and greeting cards are on average cheaper. Take sodas for example. A name brand cola in Wal-Mart's refrigerated cooler is $1.49 plus tax, but only $1.00 plus tax at Dollar Tree for the same size. Another example is greeting cards - Dollar Tree with their $.50- $1 cards beats Wal-Mart's  $.99 and up any day.

Quality
Wal-Mart usually wins in the quality category. While you can get laundry detergent from both stores - Wal-Mart's products are higher quality.  The same is true for toys. The old saying is true "You get what you pay for."

Convenience
Both stores are convenient in their own way. Walmart is convenient if you are trying to get all your shopping done in one trip. You can get your groceries, clothes for the kids and a new set of tires all in one trip.  Dollar Tree, however, is better when you only need a few items. You can be in or out much quicker because the store is physically smaller.

So which one is better for deals?  The answer is both. I love shopping in both stores for different reasons and I manage to find great deals in each one.

Which store do you think has better deals? Which one do you prefer to shop?