CINCINNATI -- In today's economy, bargain shoppers love their local dollar store. Where else can you buy so much for so little?

NewsChannel5 consumer reporter John Matarese said that while you will find great bargains, a new report says there are some items you may want to avoid.

The Web site Walletpop.com -- normally a big fan of dollar stores -- has just listed five "Dollar Store Duds."

It says some items are so cheaply made that consumers might be better off paying a few bucks more elsewhere.

Its dollar store duds include:

• Portable radios for $1: It said they did not hold stations when the user walked around.
• Garden hose nozzles for $1: It claimed they leaked from the beginning.
• Vegetable garden picket fence for $1: It was hard to stick in the ground, and even once it was in place it did not stay up.
• Sticky picture and poster hangers for $1: Unfortunately, Walletpop says they did not stick to the wall very long.
• Two pillow case covers for $1: They "pilled" after a few weeks according to the Web site.

This doesn't mean that all are junk. Some stores may have better quality versions of these products. But an FM radio for $1 is not going to be an iPod, or anything even remotely close, Matarese said.

Consumer Reports Magazine says dollars stores are best for basics, such as:

• Cleaning supplies
• Detergent
• Paper towels, napkins, toilet tissue and other paper products
• Wrapping paper

Dollar Store Dangers

Matarese said there are dangers that still lurk in some dollar stores, according to Consumer Reports magazine.

Consumer Reports says some dollar stores are still selling:

• Non-UL approved extension cords
• Lamps, often not UL approved and cheaply made
• Silver plated Jewelry, which often contains lead
• "Skateboard" cigarette lighters that appeal to children, and other unsafe items
• Aspirin, other medicine that is often past its due date
• Vitamins, which Consumer Reports says are often outdated or from questionable sources

Matarese said shop dollar stores. They can be huge money savers. But be on the lookout for safety issues, and remember that in many cases you get what you pay for.