The Penny Exploit: 2012

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.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Unused Stamp - Chinese

One cent each.

Wash Towel

Leather Bracelet - with Scarab Beetle

Seller said:
cool Insect amber leather bracelet

Used Stamp - Polish

One cent each.

Silk Scarf - Square

One cent each.

Seller said:
Fashion Floral Prints Square Scarf Stain Silk

Necklace Cord - Rubberized

Necklace cords to be cut to the length of your desire. One cent each.

Earrings - Diamonte (Rhinestone)

One cent for each pair. The seller's descriptions are gone by now.

Handbag - Embroidered

Since Christmas was coming, I ordered some more of these for one cent each. Perfect for use as small gift bags.

Seller said:
Embroidery Handbag wedding bridal dress Accessories Bag Wallet Purse Burgundy
Size:20cmx20cmx6cm

Cotton Socks - Small Size

One cent for each pair.

Seller said:
White Sport Socks Cotton (SIZE SMALL)

Santa Hat

One cent for the hat. The bracelet is a free gift that came with the hat.
I have lost seller's descriptions by the time I got to post this, although I did get it before the holidays.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Ring - Engraved

Happy New Year! A lot has been changed for me. The pace of purchasing has dropped a lot. Days may go by without a single thing bought. I had to switch Internet provided and cut the telephone core to go from POTS land line to VOIP. When these as almost done my holiday vacation is just abou over.

Here is something from the bust of activities just before I got occupied by other priorities.

A ring with an engraved cross and some latin (I think) words.