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.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Cufflinks - "I'M THE BOSS"

One cent for the pair to add to my cufflink collection. No box came with them.

Pendant - Green, Another

It is similar to this earlier one.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Stainless Steel Keyring - Still More

One cent for each pair. My collection is still swelling.

Plastic Screw Caps for Mounting License Plate - Chrome

One cent for each set of 4 caps. Unfortunately, they don't fit any of my cars.

Cubic Zirconia Rounds - Black

A new color to add to my Cubic Zirconia collection.

Bag Clip

One cent each. Seller's descriptions:
This clip is easy to use and long lasting. It has a wide clip-bit, which can keep bag/container tight and sealing beautiful.
Length: 5.3"(13.5cm)

Door Stop

One cent each. The seller said:
Material: polypropylene plastic
Width: 1.96"(5cm)
Length: 3.94"(10cm)
Height: 0.78"(2cm)

These proved to be too small on a carpeted floor for most of my doors.

Cufflinks - "Choi Pui"

One cent for the pair. Besides the price, nothing suggests these may be counterfeits. Good design and workmanship.

Glass Bead - Fit European Bracelet

One cent for all of 6. Seller has these to say:
Charming Loose Glass Beads Fit European Bracelet
These beads are designed to fit any popular charm bracelet.
Inner diameter 4.5 - 5mm
Outer diameter 14 - 15mm
Material: Millefiori Glass

Nail File - 4Way Buffing Block

One cent total for the 2 of them. Sender's descriptions are:
2pcs of 4 Way Nail Shiner Buffer Buffing Block Sanding Files
100% Brand New
It is a ALL-in-1 4 Steps Buffing Block for Nail Art Finishing.
Best Use for Shining and Sharping Nails Perfectly
---Side 1 flower- Coarse Sanding for Chipping Nail Edge
---Side 2 Black- Find Sanding for Smoothing Nail Surface
---Side 3 Grey- Final Preparation for Fine Polishing
---Side 4 White- Perfect Polishing
Size: 9.2cm x 3.5cm x 3.9cm
Package Contains: Buffing Block x 2

Pendant - Green

One cent including the chain. Unlike many similar items, the seller of this did not claim it to be jade.

Earrings - Green

One cent for the pair. The seller did not say anything about jade so that is honesty.

Acrylic Pendant - 3 More

More of the plastic pieces. One cent each.

Metal Bead - for Pandora Style Bracelet

One cent each. The one with the gold leaf is called "Lucky Clover Bead". Seller's descriptions are:
European Bead ror Charm bracelet
(Bracelet not included.)
100% Brand New
Perfect processing
Hole Size: 4.5mm
This bead fits all European style bracelets

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Tie Clip - "White Crystal"

There have not been new posts for a few days as I have been busy trying to make booking arrangements for my summer vacation. I will be gone for most of June so expect posting to slow or stop for some time in June. In the mean time, here are what I have been sitting on in the past couple of days.

This is one good looking clip. I like it but hopefully don't have to use it.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Stainless Steel Keyring - 4 More

At one cent each pair, these add to my recent collection.

Bracelet - Seeing Double

The two bracelets together cost me 1 cent total.

Stamps - Not from France

Two more stamps for a penny each. Thay are actually sent from within the US instead of
France.
Seller's descriptions for the Jefferson stamp:
1922-1925 definitives; flat press printing; perf 11
9 cents rose
catalog value $5.50
Seller's descriptions for the Niagara stamp:
1922-1925 definitives; flat press printing; perf 11
25 cents green
catalog value $4.50
The catalog values quoted appear to be exaggerated. They should worth around a dollar each, from what I can find on the web.

Pouch for Phone or MP3/4 Player - Embroider, Traditional Chinese Design

Very unique and pretty.

Dragonfly Pendant - "Green Jade Inlay"

One cent for the pendant with a box. Very nice, but it must not be jade.