A Home Depot shopper finds a pricey vanity ringing up for just one penny. However, when he tries to bring four through self-checkout, the workers inform him that the product is actually recalled.
In a video with over 595,000 views, TikToker ProfitDrivenMindset (@profitdrivenminds5) scans four bathroom vanities in the self-checkout lane. He shows the checkout screen, which shows that all four of the vanities ring up for just one cent.
However, one Home Depot worker spots the extreme deal on the screen and calls others over.
Why did Home Depot refuse to sell one-cent items?
Three Home Depot workers gather around the self-checkout, shaking their heads. They inform the TikToker that the items are recalled and can’t be sold.
“You can literally purchase the same online,” the TikToker tells them. “I don’t see anything about a recall.”
After some back and forth, the workers eventually give in and let the TikToker purchase the one-cent vanities. He says that the vanity retails for up to $700 at full price.
At the end of the clip, he shows himself reselling the vanities for $250 each. He profits just four cents short of $1,000.
In the caption, he says that he uses a software to locate items that sell for one cent, so he can purchase and resell them for a profit.
What did viewers think of the one-cent items?
In the comments, viewers question why the Home Depot workers were hesitant to sell the TikToker the one-cent vanities.
“The workers acting like this affects their wages or something,” one says.
“So they can buy them themselves….,” another suggests.
“Yeah, no information from higher up makes the workers suspicious. If they were told and encouraged to move the penny items. They would fly out the door,” a third adds.
According to the r/HomeDepot subreddit, the penny items aren’t actually marked at an extreme discount. Instead, the one-cent price indicates to workers that the item has been “credited” by the vendor and is no longer for sale. Some suggest that if the penny items are sold to a customer or purchased by a worker, the store could count them as lost inventory.
Workers from other retailers say other stores have a similar policy.
“As a former employee of a toy store with a Giraffe mascot, the amount of toys and books we threw away cause we couldn’t sell penny merch would make your head explode,” a commenter shares.
“This doesn’t work at Costco, either. if we notice the price difference it doesn’t matter if that’s what it ring as you’re not going to get the item,” another writes.
@profitdrivenminds5 Home Depot sells penny clearance everyday AND they are required to sell it to you 1) First you need to locate which items are 1 penny (comment penny for the software) 2) Go into your store and find the item 3) Take it to self checkout 4) Secure it for $0.01 #resell #reselling #clearance #homedepot #pennyclearance ♬ original sound – ProfitDrivenMindset
The Mary Sue reached out to ProfitDrivenMindset via TikTok direct message and to Home Depot via email.
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