I used to work at The Residence Depot and infrequently heard rumors of “penny gadgets”, however sadly I didn’t work their lengthy sufficient to ever truly see one. Whereas it might sound too good to be true, they completely DO EXIST and they’re going to certainly promote merchandise for only one cent. These “hidden gems” are all the time unadvertised and never extensively recognized, which makes them much more thrilling to search out—particularly for savvy Residence Depot buyers who know what to search for.

What Are Residence Depot Penny Gadgets?

Penny gadgets are merchandise which were closely marked down—normally to filter out discontinued, broken, seasonal, or outdated merchandise.

When an merchandise is decreased to $0.01 in Residence Depot’s system, it’s primarily a sign to staff that the merchandise ought to be faraway from the cabinets and both thrown out or returned to the seller.

Nevertheless, this stuff generally stay on the ground—and that’s when buyers have the possibility to snag them.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON PENNY ITEMS

Residence Depot staff are NOT purported to promote penny gadgets to clients. If an affiliate sees a penny merchandise on the shelf, they’re instructed to tug it instantly.

Meaning for those who discover one and it rings up for a penny, there’s an opportunity the cashier may not allow you to purchase it. However beneath I’ve documented a number of methods to extend your odds of getting these offers; so long as you know the way to go about it.

See Additionally: Workers Give Me 15 Intelligent methods to Save at The Residence Depot

Why Do These Gadgets Even Exist?

Residence Depot strikes a ton of stock throughout its shops—so when one thing will get broken, recalled, or simply discontinued, it’s bought to go.

As an alternative of slapping on a clearance sticker, they’ll usually mark it all the way down to simply $0.01. That penny worth? It’s principally code for “pull this off the shelf and toss it.”

However right here’s the factor: staff don’t all the time catch it immediately. So every so often, fortunate buyers stumble throughout these penny-priced hidden gems earlier than they’re eliminated.

It’s uncommon—however when it occurs, it seems like profitable the clearance lottery.

PRO TIP: SHOP DURING STORE RESET HOURS

From my days working at Residence Depot, I do know that they restock cabinets early within the morning or late at evening.

So I extremely advocate going throughout off-peak hours (suppose 7 – 9 a.m. on a weekday or simply after opening on a Sunday).

You’ll usually catch gadgets simply earlier than they’re pulled—or discover staff wheeling out carts of clearance or “go-backs” that will embody penny gadgets.

How you can Discover Penny Gadgets at Residence Depot

Discovering penny gadgets isn’t a assure, however with the appropriate method and persistence, you may get fortunate.

Right here’s the best way to improve your odds:

1. Be taught to Learn Worth Tags

Residence Depot makes use of yellow clearance stickers that may inform you a large number—if you realize what to search for.

Most clearance gadgets will probably be marked with a yellow (generally orange) sticker displaying the decreased worth.

KEY: Take note of the date printed on the tag.

If it’s an older date (normally a number of weeks or months previous), and the merchandise remains to be sitting on the shelf, there’s an opportunity it might have dropped additional in worth—presumably to a penny.

Additionally, search for clearance tags ending in both .06 or .03.

These usually point out markdowns:

Costs ending in .06 normally imply the merchandise will probably be marked down once more in 6 weeks from the date on the tag.

Costs ending in .03 signifies a last clearance, and the merchandise will probably be pulled or dropped to a penny if it doesn’t sellout in 3 weeks from the date on the tag.

PRO TIP: HIT THE “DAMAGED” & “OPEN BOX” SECTIONS

Many penny gadgets find yourself within the again corners of the shop, like within the “Broken Packaging”, “Open Field” or “Clearance Pallet” areas.

These are sometimes ignored by common buyers and generally ignored by staff too.

Scan each barcode—even when the merchandise seems to be unappealing. That beat-up toolbox or dusty gentle fixture would possibly scan for a penny OR present nice ammunition to negotiate a deal.

2. Scan Gadgets with the Residence Depot App

The Residence Depot cellular app is without doubt one of the finest instruments for locating penny gadgets.

You need to use it to scan barcodes in-store of clearance gadgets and examine the present worth.

Should you scan an merchandise and it comes up as $0.01, you’ve completely discovered a penny deal, now head to the self-checkout aisle and purchase it shortly.

Simply bear in mind that costs might differ by retailer, and the app often lags in updating stock.

PRO TIP: REVERSE SHOP FROM HOME

Earlier than you even depart the home, use the Residence Depot app to seek for clearance gadgets at your native retailer by typing usually phrases like “clearance”, “discontinued” or “particular purchase”.

Slender your retailer location and kind by worth. Should you see gadgets listed for $0.01 or suspiciously low costs, pay attention to the SKU or UPC.

This protects a ton of time and helps you hunt with goal when you get to the shop.

3. Know The place to Look

Should you’re trying to find penny offers, there’s a number of spots you positively wanna examine first.

Seasonal stuff is a goldmine — suppose backyard stuff after summer season, Christmas lights in January, Halloween junk in November — they wanna clear it out quick.

Lighting and fixtures too — if it seems to be previous, discontinued, or simply kinda unhappy, there’s a superb likelihood it’s marked method down.

Identical factor with instruments — older fashions, open packing containers, random equipment no person purchased.

Paint’s one other sneaky one — like customized mixes folks by no means picked up? Generally they’ll principally give it away for a penny.

And don’t overlook to dig across the finish caps, the clearance racks, and method up high or method down low on the cabinets — that’s the place the hidden gems are.

PRO TIP: USE BAY NUMBERS TO FIND HIDING SPOTS

Utilizing the Residence Depot app or web site, for those who discover an merchandise marked down, examine its Bay Quantity which is basically its shelf location.

Generally a penny-priced merchandise nonetheless reveals “restricted inventory” however isn’t on the principle flooring—it could be in overhead storage or a returns cart close by.

Understanding the bay quantity helps you slender your search and spot out-of-place offers.

4. Be a part of Penny Purchasing Communities

There are total on-line communities constructed round penny buying.

Folks in Fb teams and even TikTok creators share tips about what to search for—every little thing from SKUs to manufacturers that just lately dropped to a penny.

It’s not all the time a positive factor. Simply because an merchandise is a penny at one retailer doesn’t imply it’ll be the identical in all places.

However for those who’ve bought an inventory of attainable penny gadgets, you’ll know what to examine—and that may give you a giant head begin.

PRO TIP: “DEAD END” AISLES ARE GOLD MINES

Verify the dead-end aisles—the quiet corners of the shop with random cabinets or leftover inventory.

Workers generally tuck penny gadgets there whereas ready for a supervisor to log out on pulling them.

These spots don’t get a lot foot visitors, so issues can sit unnoticed for days.

Look behind cumbersome stuff like bathrooms, bathtubs, or pallets of tile. You by no means know what’s hiding again there.

Suggestions for Scoring Penny Gadgets Efficiently

Be discreet – Should you discover a penny merchandise, play it cool. Simply toss it in your cart and head to self-checkout for those who can — the louder you might be about it, the extra probably an worker’s gonna yank it earlier than you possibly can pay.

Don’t argue – And in the event that they do catch it and say they’ll’t promote it to you? Don’t argue. Severely. Simply transfer on. Retailer coverage’s on their facet, not yours.

Verify usually – Neatest thing you are able to do is examine usually — penny offers change on a regular basis, and it’s principally a timing recreation.

Maintain an inventory – Should you comply with any penny teams on-line, preserve an inventory of the barcodes or SKUs — it’ll prevent a ton of guessing once you’re wandering round.

Construct rapport with staff – Oh, and be good to the workers. You’d be stunned what number of will provide you with a heads-up for those who’re cool — just a little respect goes a good distance once you’re looking hidden offers.

PRO TIP: SHOP DURING STORE EVENTS

Clearance occasions—like post-holiday resets or stock weeks—can flip the shop into organized chaos. Workers are busy, cabinets are shifting, and that’s your likelihood to quietly scan with out anybody noticing.

It’s the finest time to mix in and hunt for penny offers.

Bonus tip: If you find yourself grabbing different sale gadgets, use your Residence Depot bank card or loyalty account to stack just a little additional financial savings. Each bit helps.

These Gadgets Have Been Discovered for a Penny

Customers have scored every kind of offers for a penny, together with:

– Out of doors patio umbrellas

– Toolboxes

– Sensible lightbulbs

– Christmas wreaths

– Fireplace pits

– Taps

– Energy instruments

– Garden and backyard décor

– Tile and flooring samples

– Smoke detectors

These are simply examples—Residence Depot’s stock is continually shifting, and new penny gadgets seem commonly.

PRO TIP: WATCH FOR “PHANTOM INVENTORY”

The Residence Depot app isn’t all the time correct. Generally it’ll say an merchandise is “Out of Inventory” or “Restricted Inventory” regardless that it’s nonetheless sitting on a shelf—or stashed up excessive ready to be pulled.

Should you suppose one thing could be a penny merchandise, ask (properly!) if they’ll examine the overhead storage or the returns space.

Dropping a line like “I feel it’d’ve been a buyer return” or “May it have gotten misplaced?” may help jog their reminiscence—and perhaps lead you straight to the deal.

Ask the Reader: Have you ever ever been fortunate sufficient to snag a penny merchandise at The Residence Depot? What was the product and the way did you pull it off?

By Kyle James

I began Relatively-Be-Purchasing.com in 2000 and have develop into a client knowledgeable and advocate writing about out-of-the-box methods to avoid wasting at shops like Amazon, Walmart, Goal and Costco to call a number of. I’ve been featured on FOX Information, Good Morning America, and the NY Instances speaking about my financial savings ideas. (Be taught extra)