SummaryBlock

What exactly can a penny buy these days? This is a question often asked. Google the question and you will find a few answers. Not much, apparently, according to most. Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I actually set out to make purchases for one cent. This blog documents the various items I scored for a penny or less.

What qualifies a purchase as a penny loot? The cost of anything mentioned in this blog includes the purchase price, tax, shipping and handling fee, if any. If a rebate is involved, the postage to mail it is part of the cost. If a coupon is bought and used in the deal, that figures into the total as well. And the total cost must be equal to or less than US$0.01. The item must also be procured from a source available to the public - "My aunt gave me a sweater" doesn't count.

Some costs are not included in the one cent total. Chief among them is the time and effort to hunt for and complete the deals. Gas and mileage is not counted if a trip to the store is required. Computer and office equipment amortization, paper and ink expenditures are all excluded.

As expected, quite a few of the items I bought came from China. Depending on your tastes and needs, some of the stuff may be considered totally worthless. But that is not the point of this exercise.

This blog also does not dwell on where and how the items were bought. I frequent a few deal sites for information that lead to some of the purchases. The various auction sites are also a treasure trove to explore. But I would rather devote the blog to present the results - the items I obtained for a penny or less, in no particular order.

Friday, September 30, 2011

White Balance Lens Cap for Camera

Seller said:
49mm White Balance WB Lens Cap DC/DV with Filter Mount for all DC/DV/DSLR/SLR
100% brand new and high quality of the Camera Lens Cap.
Professional DC/DV camera accessory to Mount Lens.
White Balance Cap brings you a true and creditable picture by the white balance
Camera Lens Cap designed for setting custom white balance in your digital camera
No post-production needed to save more time for shooting
Ways of getting white balance:
Set the manual mode for white balance ----M-WB
Attach the lens cap on the top of lens
Set the focus length to telephoto mode
Aim at the scene of photo source
Keep the white balanced value
Compatibility:
Fit all Brand DC/DV/DSLR/SLR Digital Camera lens or filter

Mixed Stamp - From Bulgaria

On the heels of the mini bottles, came another shipment of penny goods from this country that I have never been to.  Lovingly preserved in great condition, the price I paid was one cent per set.  Each set has multiple, coordinated stamps.  Some appear to be unused.

This page has a stamp from each of USSR, Vietnam, and Hungary, depicting space grogram.

Mongolian stamps depicting space program.

Magyar (Hungarian) stamps.  It is interesting that one of these (the cosmonauts) got transposed to a Mongolian stamps shown earlier. 
Bulgarian stamps for flowers.
Magyar (Hungarian) stamps for folk tales.
These are Fujairah (part of United Arab Emirates) stamps.  They depict historical figures.
Bulgarian stamps for sports.  Most commemorate the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.
Bulgarian stamps commemorating the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada.
Shown above are 2 blocks of unused Bulgarian stamps commemorating 50th anniversary of the National Theater, issued in 1947.  They feature actress Elena Snezhina(Snejina) and actor Atanas(Athanas) Kirchev, who were married to each other.
These are from the Bulgarian collection "500 Years of Culture" issued in 1966.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Pendant - "Green Jade"

Seller said:
Beautiful Green Jade pendant
Material: Jade 12mmx10mmx4mm
Weight: Approx. 5 gram
Line Length: Approx.44 cm

Clear Glass Bottle/Vial with Cap

I haven't gotten these for some time.  They are from a different seller and came all the way from Bulgaria.  I have gotten many Bulgarian used stamps before.  But I don't remember ever getting something mailed from there.
Some are 1 cent for 2.  And others came each paired with an individually wrapped moist towelette for one cent.
Seller said:
EMPTY GLASS VIALS BOTTLE TESTER 2.1ML MADE IN GERMANY
BULGARIAN ROSE PAPER HANDKERCHIEF

Pendant - "Green Jade", Ax

Seller said:
Beautiful Green jade Ax Pendant

Pendant - "Red Opal"

Seller said:
Red Opal Drop pendant Necklaces

Stickers - from Japan

Very small stickers.  One cent for the lot.  This must be the first time I got one cent items sent from Japan.  The one Hello Kitty stickers is not visible in the picture - it is one of Melody's.
Seller said:
Marie(4) + Hello Kitty(1) Sparkle stickers 5 pcs. Cute!

Bracelet - Adjustable, "Jade", "Hand-knit"

Yet another one of this.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Citrus Peeler

Seller said:
Loop Shape Orange Lemon Fruit Citrus Peeler Remover
Curved design hugs the surface of the fruit for easy sliding of blade
Orange peelers easily takes the skin off of oranges, lemons or other citrus fruits
Insert your finger into the loop and draw around the fruit a couple of times
Clean and safe
Package Including:1*Loop shape peeler
Item Weight: 3g
Loop diameter: 20mm
Built Material: Plastic 
Size: 47*25*11mm 

Hair Clip - Red Bow

One cent for two clips.  I didn't know they make them like, a wig.
Seller said:
New Lovely Red Bowknot Hair Clip With Flower
1.Condition: 100% brand new and high quality
2.Gender: Female
3.This lovely style is very suitable for the little girl
4.Material: Silk, Cloth, Metal
5.Size: 16 cm x 6.5 cm (length x width)
6.Color: Red
Package included:
2 x  New Lovely Red Bowknot Hair Clip With Flower

Bracelet - with Little Bell

One cent for both.
Seller said:
100% Brand New Bracelet with beads bells for women use
This is a beautiful Bracelet with beads,bells for woman decoration or as a gift. also it can be used for fit for your bag, cloth,or homeinside

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Magnet - Dragonfly

One cent each.
Seller said:
Magnet Dragonfly fridge Decoration Party Favour Yellow
1. Manufacturing material: polypropylene soak, film
2. Functions: using Magnetism
3. Method : direct put dragonfly on them
4. Magnetic dragonfly can decorate all iron  goods
5. Size: about ( L ) 9.5 cm x (W) 13 cm
6. Weight : 10g
7.Color : Yellow
Package : 1 PC yellow dragonfly

Pendant - Wood

I got one more of these.
Seller said:
Wood Glass Pendant Charm With Brown Cord Necklace 68MM
Condition: 100% new
Material: Wood
Size: approx. 68*26*4mm (length/width/thickness)
Cord length: approx.40cm (adjustable)
Quantity: 1pcs

Mesh Bag/Pouch - Green

Seller said:
Mp3 Mp4 Cell Phone Camera Pouches Case Bag Green nice
100% Brand New
To protect your mp3, mp4 for scratch.
Color : Green
Size: 13cm x 8cm

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Watch - Quartz

I haven't gotten watches at this price for a while.  So, welcome back.

Seller said:
Cute Fashion Beautiful Novel White Strap WristWatch
Type: wristwatch
Watch Movement: Quartz Movement
Watch Face Meterial: Stainless Case
Watch Stap Material: Man-made Leather
Watch Face: 3cm diameter
Total length: 24cm 

Bracelet - "Handmade"

Seller said:
Lovely handmade bracelet glass beads
Condition: Brand new
Material: glass beads

Hair Clip - Heart

Seller said:
Lovely single clip for girls heart small red
Condition :Brand new
Material: metal & arcrylic diamond

Postcard - Unused, Olympicard

Seller said:
Olympicard Any Occasion Post Card NEW and UNUSED!

iPhone 4 Case - Sports Team Theme

One cent each.
Seller said:
New Football Hard Case Cover for iphone4 4G Red Devils/Liverpool
Compatibility: Apple iPhone 4 4G
Condition: 100% Guarantee Brand New, Without Box
Quality: New generic
Material: Made of high quality, super durable and strong plastic
Features:
Easy to install.
No tools needed.
Benefits:
Protects the handset from impact and dust damage.
Custom made to fit iPhone.
Give your iPhone a BRAND NEW LOOK!
These make AWESOME GIFTS!
Seller said:
New Football Hard Case Cover for iphone 4 4G A.C.Milan
Seller said:
New Football Hard Case Cover for iphone 4 4G Newcastle/Juventus/New Orleans Hornets/Orlando Magic

Pendant - Ping An

The Chinese words on it, Ping An, also means smoothness, safty, security, and peace of mind, as explained below.
Seller said:
Hanging Decorative China Fine Small Embroidered PIngAn
Meaning Peace, Can Bring You Peace And Happiness

Dudou - A Chinese Undergarment

For a penny.  The scarf is a free gift that came with it.

Seller said:
Sexy Chinese Women's Halter Top/Bra/Dudou
Material: Silk/Embroider flower
Size: One Size, With adjustable halter at Back. Common Size suit any dress Size.
Length: 21"*21", Each Halter: 13".

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Pendant - Wood

One cent each.
Rocking horse, actually.
Seller said:
Fashion White Wood Horse Pendant Charms Free Brown Cord
Seller said:
Fashion Wood Heart Pendant Charm Silver Plated Necklace

European Style Bead - Glass, Animal

One cent each.  These are not easy to get.  I have only had one(a pig) in the past.

Seller said:
Lamb glass beads Fit European Charm Bracelet
Seller said:
Dragonfly bead Fit European Charm Bracelet

Case for iPhone 4G - "Air Jacket"

One cent each.
Seller said:
New Air Jacket 0.7mm Clear Skin Case For iPhone 4
Premium quality Air Jacket Clear Case for iPhone 4G with Transparent high glossy surface.
Virtually as light as air, Thickness of only 0.7mm.
Durable and Flexible, Will not break.
Easy to attach and detach.
Protection from scratch, dust and impacts.
Providing easy access to all functions and buttons without having to remove the case.
Designed to fit Apple iPhone 4G.