Choosing the Best Day to Shop
One of the most common questions new bin store shoppers ask is: what is the best day to go? The honest answer is that it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. The weekly pricing cycle at bin stores creates distinct shopping experiences on different days, and the best day for you depends on whether you prioritize selection, price, or a strategic balance of both.
Restock Day: Best for Selection
If your top priority is getting the widest selection of merchandise, restock day is unquestionably the best day to shop. This is when all bins are emptied and refilled with a completely new shipment of products. You are seeing inventory that no other customer has touched.
What to expect on restock day:
- Full bins: Every table, bin, and display is loaded with fresh merchandise.
- Higher prices: You will pay the week's highest per-item price, typically $7 to $10.
- Big crowds: Restock day draws the most shoppers. Expect lines before the store opens, especially at popular locations.
- Best finds: High-value electronics, trending products, and premium brands are most likely to be available.
- Fast-moving inventory: The most desirable items can disappear within the first hour of the store opening.
Best for: Resellers looking for specific high-margin items. Shoppers who want first pick. Anyone who values selection over price savings.
Mid-Week: Best Balance of Price and Selection
For most casual shoppers, mid-week offers the sweet spot between price and selection. By Tuesday or Wednesday, the per-item price has dropped to $3 to $5, and while the most obviously valuable items may be gone, there is still plenty of good merchandise to discover.
Why mid-week shopping works well:
- Lower prices: You are saving 40% to 60% compared to restock day prices.
- Smaller crowds: Weekday shoppers tend to be more relaxed, and you can take your time browsing.
- Overlooked treasures: Many great items get passed over on restock day because they are buried under other products or because shoppers were focused on more obvious finds. These surface mid-week.
- Less pressure: Without the competitive energy of restock day, you can browse thoughtfully instead of grabbing everything in sight.
Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers. People who want a relaxed experience. Shoppers who enjoy the treasure hunt without the frenzy.
Dollar Day: Best for Maximum Savings
The final day before restock is known as dollar day at most bin stores, and it is exactly what it sounds like — every remaining item in the store drops to just $1. This is the day that attracts pure bargain hunters and bulk buyers.
What dollar day looks like:
- Thinnest selection: Five or six days of shopping have removed the most popular items. What remains is a mix of overlooked products, niche items, and things other shoppers did not recognize as valuable.
- Surprise finds: Experienced bin store shoppers swear by dollar day because items that were buried all week finally become visible as bins empty out.
- Bulk-friendly: At $1 per item, you can stock up on consumables, school supplies, craft materials, cleaning products, and other everyday essentials for almost nothing.
- Higher risk: You are more likely to encounter items with cosmetic damage, missing parts, or opened packaging on dollar day.
Best for: Extreme bargain hunters. Bulk buyers stocking up on basics. Crafters and DIY enthusiasts who can repurpose imperfect items. Check our Dollar Day page for stores with confirmed dollar day schedules.
Day-by-Day Strategy Breakdown
Here is a practical framework for deciding when to shop based on your goals:
- Restock Day ($7-$10): Go if you are a reseller, looking for electronics, or want first dibs on fresh inventory. Arrive early and have a plan.
- Day 2 ($6): Nearly as good as restock day for selection with a slight price break. A smart alternative if you cannot make restock day opening.
- Day 3-4 ($4-$5): The value sweet spot. Selection is solid, prices are moderate, and crowds are manageable. This is the recommended starting point for new shoppers.
- Day 5 ($2-$3): Bins are getting sparse, but dedicated diggers still find worthwhile items. Low financial risk makes it great for experimenting.
- Dollar Day ($1): Everything goes for a dollar. High fun factor, unpredictable results. Come with low expectations and an open mind.
Timing Within the Day
The day of the week matters, but so does the time of day you arrive:
- Store opening: Best for restock day. Arriving at opening gives you access to untouched bins. Many stores see a rush in the first hour that dies down by mid-morning.
- Late morning (10 AM - 12 PM): A good compromise on any day. The initial rush has passed, but bins still have plenty of inventory.
- Afternoon (1 PM - 3 PM): Bins have been picked through, but stores sometimes bring out additional inventory or reorganize bins, surfacing items that were buried.
- Before closing: Generally the worst time to shop. Selection is at its lowest, and staff may be cleaning up rather than restocking bins.
Seasonal Considerations
The time of year can also affect what you find at bin stores:
- January-February: Post-holiday returns flood the market. This is one of the best times to find electronics, toys, and gift items at bin stores.
- Spring: Outdoor and garden products start appearing as retailers clear seasonal overstock.
- Back-to-school (July-August): School supplies, backpacks, and dorm essentials show up frequently.
- October-November: Pre-holiday overstock starts flowing in, and you may find early holiday gift options.
The Bottom Line
There is no single "best" day that works for everyone. If you are new to bin stores, start with a mid-week visit to get comfortable with the format, then experiment with restock day and dollar day to see which experience suits you. The beauty of the weekly cycle is that you can try a different strategy every week until you find your rhythm.