I used to work at Home Depot and often heard rumors about “penny items”, but unfortunately I haven’t actually worked long enough to see it. It may sound too good, but they are absolutely there and actually sell products for a cent. These “hidden gems” are not always advertised and not widely known, making finding even more thrilling, especially for savvy Home Depot shoppers who know what to look for.
What are Home Depopenny Items?
Penny items are products that are frequently marked down. This is usually to clear discontinued, damaged, seasonal or outdated items.
When there is an item Reduced to $0.01 Home Depot’s system essentially signals employees that items need to be removed from the shelf and discarded or returned to the vendor.
However, these items Sometimes I stay on the floor– And that’s when shoppers have the opportunity to hook them.
Important notes about penny items
That’s what Home Depot employees are do not have They are supposed to sell penny items to customers. If an associates see a penny item on the shelf, they are instructed to pull it immediately.
This means that if you find it and it rings for a penny, the cashier might not let you buy it. However, below we have documented several ways to increase your chances of getting these transactions. As long as you know how you’ll go about it.
See: Employees can tell you 15 clever ways to save at Home Depot
Why do these items exist?
Retailers like Home Depot carry large inventory in thousands of stores.
If items become unsold due to damage, recall, or discontinued status, you must clear them.
Prices at $0.01 The inventory system is a way to identify products that are no longer on sale.
Home Depot uses penny prices to warn employees to pull items off the shelf and dispose of them. However, in many cases, these products are either forgotten or overlooked.
Pro Tip: Shop during store reset time
From the days they work at Home Depot, they know they restock their shelves early in the morning or late at night.
Therefore, I highly recommend going at off-peak hours (think it) Weekdays from 7am to 9am Or just after it opened on Sunday).
You often catch items just before they are pulled – or you notice that employees are moving their carts Clearance or “Go Back” It may include penny items.
How to find penny items at Home Depot
Finding penny items is not a guarantee, but with the right approach and persistence you will get good fortune.
Here’s how to increase your odds:
1. Learn to read price tags
Home Depot Use a yellow clearance sticker It can tell you a lot – if you know what to look for.
Most clearance items are marked with a yellow (sometimes orange) sticker that indicates a low price.
key: Note the date printed on the tag.
If it’s an old date (usually a few weeks or months) and the item is still sitting on the shelf, the price may have dropped even further –Probably to penny.
Also, look for clearance tags Ends on .06 or .03.
These often indicate markdown:
price It’ll end with .06 Usually, it means that the item will be marked down again 6 weeks From the date of the tag.
price It’ll end with .03 Indicates the final clearance and the item is pulled; fell on penny If it’s not sold out 3 weeks From the date of the tag.
Pro Tip: Press “Broken” and “Open Box” section
Many penny items end at the back corner of the store. “Damaged Package”, “Open Box” or “Clearance Pallet” area.
These are often overlooked by regular shoppers and ignored by employees.
Scan all barcodes even if the item appears unattractive. That beat-up toolbox or dusty lighting fixture may scan penny or provide great ammunition Negotiate the transaction.
2. Scan items with the Home Depot app
Home Depot Mobile App It’s one of the best tools to find penny items.
You can use it Scan barcodes in the store Check the current prices for clearance items.
Scanning the item and appearing as $0.01, the penny deal was absolutely found. Head to the self-check-out aisle I’ll buy it soon.
Please note that prices may vary by store and apps sometimes delay in updating inventory.
Pro Tips: Reverse Shop from Home
Use it before you leave the house Home Depot App Search for clearance items in your local store by typing in general terms like this: “clearance”, “Discontinued” or “Special Buy”.
Smaller store location Sort by price. If you see items listed at $0.01 or a suspicious low price, SKU or UPC.
This saves time and helps you hunt for your purpose when you arrive at the store.
3. I know where to look
Penny items are available throughout the store, There are several important sections If you are likely to trip over them:
Seasonal category: On holidays and seasonal occasions, the store is rushing to clear the themed items. Look at gardening, Christmas lights, Halloween decorations and the patio section.
Lighting and equipment: Obsolete or aborted lighting often ends as penny items.
Tools and Accessories: Older tool models, open box items, or phased out product lines may be marked down.
Paint and Hardware: Disparate paints and custom colored gallons that customers have not picked up are sometimes priced at pennies.
Don’t overlook the end caps, clearance sections, or top and bottom shelves. These are hot spots for items that are often overlooked.
Pro Tip: Use your bay number to find hidden places
If you find a marked down item using the Home Depot app or website, check it out Bay number This is essentially the location of that shelf.
Sometimes, items with penny price still appear “Limited Stocks” However, it is not on the main floor. It may return overhead storage or nearby carts.
Finding your bay number will narrow your search and find out which transactions are off.
4. Join the Penny Shopping Community
There is an entire online community dedicated to penny shopping.
Facebook Group And more Tiktok creator Share Intel about your recent penny discoveries, item numbers (SKUs), or specific brands you want to look for.
Please note that success can vary from region to region. However, just because something is a penny in one store doesn’t mean it’s in another store.
Still, having a list of items to keep an eye on you will get a headstart.
Pro Tip: The “dead end” passage is a gold mine
Please check Dead end passage– Random and quiet corners of oddball shelves and stores with excess stock.
Employees sometimes I’ll temporarily hide my penny items here While waiting for the manager to approve the pull.
These spots are rarely patrol and can be full of surprises. Look especially behind big items like toilets, bathtubs, and tile pallets.
Tips for successful penny items
Be modest – If you find a penny item, gently add it to your cart. Heading to self-checkout If possible. If you draw attention to a penny item, you are more likely to pull it before your employees buy it.
Don’t argue – If an employee refuses to sell a penny item, it is best to move on. Store policy grants you the right to remove items from the sale.
Please check carefully – Penny items change frequently and it’s all about timing. The more you check out the local store, the more likely you are to find something.
Keep the list – If you are following a group or page that shares a barcode or SKU for a penny item, save those numbers. Enter them into the app or bring them to confirm your next visit.
Build relationships with employees – Sometimes, a friendly associate may give you heads up on future markdowns or help you find the item you are looking for. Be respectful and polite. I don’t know who will drive you out for the next deal.
Pro Tip: Shop during store events
During major clearance events (such as post-holiday resets and stock weeks), stores are becoming more confusing and employees are becoming thinner.
That’s The best time to blend in and Scan freely Without attracting attention.
Bonus Tips: If you are buying anything else during sales, use your Home Depot credit card or loyalty account to accumulate savings.
These items were found in penny
Shoppers have won all sorts of deals with penny, including:
– Outdoor patio umbrella
– Toolbox
– Smart light bulb
– Christmas wreath
– Firepit
– Faucet
– Power tools
– Lawn and garden decoration
– Tile and flooring samples
– Smoke detector
These are just examples. HomeDepot’s inventory is constantly changing, with new penny items regularly showing up.
Pro Tip: See Phantom Inventory
You may see the Home Depot app “Limited Stocks” Or even “Out of stock” In fact, there are items that are still in the store but have not yet been pulled.
If you think something is a penny item, ask (kindly) if you can check the overhead or return the area.
Remark a “Customer Return” or “Lost Products” If necessary, you could jog memory to lead to a score.
Ask your readers: Were you lucky enough to get a penny item at Home Depot? What was the product and how did you pull it out?
By Kyle James
I started Shopping com in 2000, but became a consumer expert and advocated writing about out-of-box ways to save money at stores such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Costco. I’ve been talking about my savings tips on Fox News, Good Morning America and the NY Times. (learn more)
Source: Rather-Be-Shopping Blog | Shopping Hacks, Return Policies and Coupons – www.rather-be-shopping.com
