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.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Bead - "Stone"

One cent for each strand of loose beads. I tend to stay away from small size beads. But the seller claims these to be made of real stone so I gave them a try. But I am still not sure.

Seller said:
4mm natural Unakite stone Round Small Gemstone Beads sring about 96pcs each string
100pcs 4mm RED AVENTURINE ROUND Gemstone Beads sring
AAA 4mm Natural Green Aventurine round gemstone Beads about 98pcs each string
100pcs Gemstone Round Beads 4mm MOTTLED STONE
AAA 4mm SPECTROLITE LABRADORITE Stone CHARM BEADs about 98pcs each string
4mm pink jade Round Gemstone Loose Beads string about 92pcs each string
Rose Pink Quartz Gemstone Round 8mm round loose Beads string about 48pcs each string
4mm BLUE WHITE SODALITE round Beads string about 92pcs each string
4mm goldstone Gemstone round Loose beads strand sring about 98pcs each string
AAA 6mm Red Picture Jasper Round Gemstone Beads about 64pcs each string
AAA 8mm round Chinese Picture stone gemstone beads strip about 48pcs each string

Keyring - "Yak Bone"

Seller said:
Fashion Mens Key chain Tribal Jewerly Yak Bone Key-Ring
Cool, New Design, Stunning, Gorgeous, Fabulous
Condition: Brand New Without Tags
Material: Yak Bone
Length: 1.8inch(4.8cm)*0.75inch(2cm)
Weight:0.021 Kg

Kids Headband - Crochet

One cent for 2 pieces. So those below cost a total of 2 cents.

Seller said:
1.5 inch Kids Crochet Headbands
Great Elasticity !!!
Very cute for the kids or baby.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Bracelet - Sports

Seller said:
2011 New New personalized fashion beautiful Sports Bracelet

Cell Phone Pendant - Resin

One cent each.

Seller said:
Charming handiwork resin Lucky FU pendant
Charming handiwork resin LOVE HEART pendant
Charming handiwork resin Lucky LOVE pendant
Charming handiwork resin Lucky Gold ingot pendant

Ornament - The Star of David

It is a Star of David painted on a sand dollar shell.

Seller said:
The Magen David - The Star Of David - Decoupage Sand Dollar Shell Ornament
4.5 in x 6 in
Hanger Included on Ornament

Used Book - Novel in Hard Cover

This is the first time I got novels for one cent each. And they are all hardcovers. I bought they even though they are used because of the "novelty" factor.

Seller said:
The Horse Latitudes by Robert Ferrigno (1990, Hardcover) ISBN 0688090605
A Cloud on Sand by Gabriella De Ferrari (1990, Hardcover) ISBN 0394551451
The Nameless Day by Sara Douglass (2004, Hardcover) ISBN 0765303620
The Burden of Proof by Scott Turow (1990, Hardcover) ISBN 0374117349
Trial by Fire by Harold Coyle (1992, Hardcover) ISBN 0671732552
Outer Banks by Anne Rivers Siddons (1991, Hardcover) ISBN 006016249X

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Hair Band - From Korea

Another set of these. One cent for 4 this time.

Eraser - Toy Gun

Seller said:
Yellow New Cute Eraser Rubber wiper for kid child children student
100% brand new
Color :Yellow
Size: about 6 cm x 3.7 cm x 1.7cm
Interestingly, the shape of a pistol

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

Two more of these at one cent each.

Foam Toe Separator - for Pedicure

One cent for 2 pieces.

Seller said:
Finger Soft Toe Seperator separator Manicure Pedicure Fashion Nail Art
When brush nail polish to separate the fingers or toes , to prevent hitting the nail polish before dried, this section applies to the hands and feet.
1. 100% Brand new , high quality!
2. Make by Hight quality EVA materials.
3. They also provide easy access to all areas of the toe nails.
4. These pink coloured toe separators make pedicures easier by helping to protect fresh nail polish as it dries.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Pendant for Cell Phone - Sea Shell

Seller said:
new beautiful fashion style pure handmade shell for key holder wallet bag phone
This product is the real shell that attach sling rope, you can put it on your wallet, bag, keychain, key holder or phone for decoration. Also it's a simple gifts for your friends. That's the pure hand-made crafts by myself.

Pendant for Cell Phone - Plushie

Seller said:
purple cute fluffy Little doll phone accessories girl favorite
This is a little doll, very cute.

Women's Socks

One cent per pair (2 white pairs and one pink pair shown in the pictures.)

Seller said:
Women No Show Fishnet Socks With Ribbon Tied One Pair Size 4-6
Material: Mesh
Sock size: 20cm(length) (there may be 1-2mm size measurement error)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Bracelet - "Leather", "Handmade", Adjustable

More of these, again at one cent each.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Slider Charm - Rhinestone, Letter

One cent each.

Seller said:
1pcs 8mm "C" DIY Gold Rhinestone Slide letter Fit pet wrsiband
Material : zinc alloy+Rhinestone
Color:Gold color
Size :Internal Dia:8mm(Can through 8mm band)
Condition: Brand New

Earrings - Handmade

This has the distinction of being sent from USA. They are probably made here too.

Seller said:
Cute Earrings - Handmade
Handmade earrings with gun metal plating and glass crystals. The wires are also gunmetal finish. These are brand new and never worn.