‘I’ve never understood why employees get so upset’: Shopper finds Shark cordless vacuum for 1 penny at Home Depot. Then a worker shows up
A TikToker known for uncovering hidden clearance deals has stunned viewers with a find that sounds almost unbelievable: a $300 vacuum from Home Depot for just one cent.
User @pennypinchin97 documented the entire trip. She shows herself walking through the aisles before, she says, being stopped by what she jokingly calls the “penny police.” Despite the tense moment, she claimed she still managed to make the purchase and walk away victorious. A $300 vacuum that cost her literally a penny.
Her video showing off the deal had racked up more than 10 million views. It sparked equal parts disbelief and envy from bargain hunters across TikTok.
What Happened At Home Depot?
Inside the video, @pennypinchin97 explains how the deal came together. While browsing the store, she spotted a vacuum high up on an upper shelf and said it was “pennyed out.” This means it had been marked for clearance and should technically ring up for a cent.
“We’re going to see if someone can get it down for us,” she tells viewers before an employee helps her retrieve the box. Once the vacuum was in her cart, she used an “HD app” to scan the barcode—and sure enough, the price read $0.01.
“This should ring up for a penny,” she said confidently. And it did.
She flashed the receipt on camera as proof, though not everyone in the store seemed thrilled about the deal. On her way out, @pennypinchin97 filmed a brief exchange with a worker who asked her to show the receipt to another employee before she could leave. Once cleared, she was out the door—vacuum in hand.
“Mission accomplished,” she declared. “Just like that, a $300 vacuum for one penny.”
What’s a ‘Pennyed Out’ Item—And How Do I Find Them?
A “pennyed-out” item at Home Depot is a product that’s been officially discontinued and marked down to one cent. Once an item hits that stage, employees are supposed to pull it from the shelves. But sometimes, a few slip through—and that’s when bargain hunters like @pennypinchin97 get lucky.
Shoppers who hunt for penny deals say the trick starts with reading the yellow clearance tags. Groupon notes that the last two digits of a clearance price indicate where the product is in its markdown cycle. A price ending in 00 signals the first round of clearance, while 06 means it’s been discounted about 25% and will drop again soon. Tags ending in 03 are usually the final markdown—typically 75% off—before the item disappears altogether. And if you find something marked with 01, you’ve hit the jackpot. That means it’s been pennyed out and should technically no longer be for sale.
Deal hunters also say it helps to keep an eye out for items without price tags or with yellow clearance stickers that look dated. Using the Home Depot app to scan the barcode can reveal the real price. Clearance sections, end caps, and tucked-away corners of the store—especially in garden or seasonal departments—are where these forgotten items often hide.
Timing matters, too. Prices usually update on Mondays, giving employees until Friday to pull outdated stock. That means midweek mornings are the sweet spot for catching missed penny items. And if you find one, self-checkout can be your friend—especially since some employees are told to remove penny items when they see them. Just scan, pay, and quietly celebrate your one-cent win.
@pennypinchin97 THESE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE BEEN CRAZY WITH ALL THE PENNY VACUUMS. THOUGHT WE WERE COOKED ON THIS ONE CHAT #fyp #savingmoney #homedepot #shark #clearance ♬ original sound – pennypinchin97
Commenters Accuse Woman Of Being Rude To Worker
After watching @pennypinchin97’s viral clip, many commenters took issue with how she handled the Home Depot worker who stopped her before she left the store.
“That employee did not deserve the false image painting of her just for rage bait,” one viewer said. They added that the worker “is so kind and sweet” and hoping “she is okay if she’s seen this video.”
Another person pointed out that the worker appeared calm and professional, writing, “Penny police?? When did she show any signs of being upset? She politely told her to go to register 3 so they can remove the security tag????”
A third chimed in, “How is she the penny police?” While another added, “Penny police? She was helping you.”
Some users guessed that store employees have their own motivations for flagging penny items.
“Not Penny Police… People who want to buy it for themselves after work,” one commenter suggested.
Another admitted they’d take advantage of the system too, saying, “Boy, if I worked at Home Depot, I would buy all the penny items if I knew about it.”
Others speak out
A fellow retail worker added, “As someone in retail, we get excited when we find items that are getting closed out.”
Others took the opportunity to explain how pennyed-out items actually end up on the sales floor.
“It’s because they’re not supposed to be sold—they’re supposed to be sent back to the manufacturer, and the store could get into trouble for selling those items,” one former Lowe’s employee explained.
Another self-identified Home Depot worker said, “We are supposed to get the pennies taken care of before this happens… TO TAKE CARE OF THE PENNIES WE LITERALLY THROW THEM AWAY, PLEASE DO THIS IT ACTUALLY HURTS THROWING AWAY GOOD ITEMS.”
“It’s basically a race to find the item before they get pulled,” a different commenter added. “I worked a side job going around to stores pulling products and bringing them to the back. Happens all the time for recalls.”
We reached out to @pennypinchin97 via a TikTok direct message.
This story was produced by our friends at Gee Thanks.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
