The Penny Exploit

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, July 4, 2011

Pendant - Dragonfly

Price is 1 cent for all 5 pieces. Seller's descriptions:
Jewelry Findings Alloy Dragonfly Pendants
Condition: 100% new
Size: approx. 24 mm x25mm
Hole size: 4mm
Quantity: 5 pc

Earrings - Assorted

I got these earirings for 1 cent each.

The above pair was described as "Korean style vintage bohemia feminine s round earrings".

Seller's descriptions for the above pair:
Fashion Heart Shape Rhinestone Ear Stud Earrings.
Condition: 100% new
Material: silver plated+rhinestone
Size: approx. 25mm
Weight: approx. 15g (net weight)
Quantity: 1 pair
Beautiful and attractive stud earrings. Good for going party or banquet. Premium quality, delicated arts and crafts

Seller's description: Elegant and fashionable green earrings.

Seller's description:
HANDMADE SILK THREAD DANGLE EARRING
Size: 4.3*2.5 Inch (approximately)
Shape: Irregular
Quantity: 1 Pair
Weight: 0.007kg(approximately)
Item Condition: Brand New

"Silver Plated Rhinestone Angel Wing Ear Stud Earrings" and "Round Silver Plated Rhinestone Ear Stud Earrings".

Necklace - Assorted

I got these pendants for one cent each. All of them came with chains.

Cable Winder - Green Frog

One cent each. Seller's descriptions are:
Gender: Unisex
Color: Green
Material: Soft Silicone Texture. High Quality Assurance.
Benefit: Easy to use and is designed for cords of all iPod or other mp3 mp4 player. Adjust the cord length as you like. Mp3 Earphone Wrap is made of rubber so as not to damage your cords and also for comfort when you have it in your pocket.

Tibetan Style Bracelet

I got two more of these for 1 cent each.

European Style Bead - Fimo Polymer Clay

I am back from vacation. It was nice to be off and away and it wasn't long enough. But it is time to return. Some items I purchased before my departure have been waiting for me in the post office. Some of the newly accquired stuff also start to arrive.

I have not gooten beads made of this material before. They have a rubbery feel. They were gotten at the price of 1 cent for 5 pieces. The seller's descriptions are:
Quantity: 5 FIMO Beads (no thread), not including bracelet,
Diameter: 14mm (approximately)
Hole diameter: 4.5mm (approximately)
Adorner: Compatible with Troll or Pandora or Chamilia bracelet

The above 2 sets came with a pink gift bag.

The above 3 sets came with a white gift bag.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Bracelet - "Tibet Style", 3 More

Reminder: these will be my last posts before I leave for vacation. Hope you all have a great summer.

One cent each.

Smart Light for Nintendo Gameboy Advance

Reminder: these will be my last posts before I leave for vacation. Hope you all have a great summer.

This is a used item. I bought it because I thought I had a use for it.

Silicone Wristband with Watch - Black

Reminder: these will be my last posts before I leave for vacation. Hope you all have a great summer.

One more color to my collection.

Nose Hair Trimmer - 4 More

Reminder: these will be my last posts before I leave for vacation. Hope you all have a great summer.

One cent eacj. The seller had to resend me these so they came much later then the first one.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Pendant - Turning Buddha

The Buddha spins inside the pendant. I wonder if that will make him happy enough to bring good fortune.

Pocket Knife - Multi-function, Another one

The seller's description says:
7 in 1 Stainless Steel Pocket Multifunction Multi-function Tools Knife Phillips Screwdrive Bottle Opener Scissors Corkscrew Nail File (K46 )
Condition: New
Multi-function tool include: Knife, Phillips Screw drive, Bottle Opener, Scissors, Corkscrew, Nail File
Material: Stainless steel
Size: 9*1.8*0.6cm
Weight: 64g

Despite its one cent cost. This is a piece of solid hardware. It has even more tools than the last one. Excellent buy.

Vehicle Air Freshener

One cent each.

This one is called (Green) Butterfly Floral Mist.

This one is called Spring Blossom.

Shaped Rubber Bands - Christmas, Numbers, and Music Themes

One cent for each pack. These are seller's descriptions:
* Contains 12 theme shaped rubber bands
*It glows in the dark
These "rubber bands" are fun to wear and are very popular among ages 4-18. Some uses for these silly bandz include: trading, tying, wearable as necklaces and necklaces, decorations, etc

Some samples from a Christmas themed pack.

Some samples from another Christmas themed pack.

Contents of the number themed pack.

Some samples from the music themed pask. Unlike others, these do not glow in the dark.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Bracelet - "Leather", Adjustable

One cent each. Here are the descriptions by the seller:
Do not miss such a elegant item!!!
*100% Brand new!!!
*High quantity!
*Send it as an ideal gift or keep it as an lovely collection.
Color: Brown
Size :Adjustable
Material: leather

Stickers - 3D

Price is one cent for 2 sheets so you are looking at a 3 cent total purchase here. Seller's descriptions:

★a set 2 sheets.
★Size：7*18cm/sheet
★Meterial：PVC

1 of 2 "Lovely Cloths"

2 of 2 "Lovely Cloths"

1 of 2 "Lovely Hearts"

2 of 2 "Lovely Hearts"

1 of 2 "Lovely Bows"

2 of 2 "Lovely Bows"

Bracelet - "Tibet Style", Adjustable

I don't think I had this style before.

Reusable Shopping Bag - Foldable into a Strawberry

My vacation is approaching and I had been busy with preparation. Finally most of the booking is behind me. So here is the last bust of activities before the blog become idle.

One cent each. They sell for $4.99 each on Amazon. These are what the seller has to say:
creative items, change your dull life,
change your life, enjoy our item,
enjoy your life, enjoy your work
Material: 100% polyester, water resisted, easy to carry
Size of bag (not include band): 15" * 15" (39cm*39cm)
Size of strawberry: 3 inch * 4 inch
Function: Shopping, Diaper, tote, handbag
Description: can be use as a keychain in strawberry shaped, and you may transfer it into a tote handbag, very cute.