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Old 8 Jan 2003, 05:47 PM   #1
Edwin
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Best $1 you've ever spent?

Here's an interesting question, especially given the wide variety of countries and backgrounds forum members are from.

What's the best value you've managed to get for $1 (or local-currency equivalent)?

To make it "realistic" especially in light of the fact that members are aged from 14-80+, let's assume that we're talking about a purchase made in the last 10 years, since in most countries inflation will blur the picture too much if we go back further

Here's my top picks:-

1) A plastic turntable I picked up recently for 100 yen (about $0.85) which now supports my LCD monitor and 1) keeps it off the desk - minimizing dust and 2) allows me to swivel it at any angle I like depending on my mood. It's a very simple product, but seems incredibly robust and allegedly will support up to 65KG i.e. a very large TV set!

2) Four brand new books (I forget which ones now...) that I picked up in around 1995 for 50p (about $0.90 at the time) via a mail-order book club offer that amazingly genuinely came with NO STRINGS ATTACHED (I cancelled my membership immediately, was never bothered again and kept the books)
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Old 8 Jan 2003, 09:00 PM   #2
Gankaku
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Location: Virginia, USA
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I haven't gotten much larger value items for a buck, but our local dollar stores have tons of great stuff for a dollar!

I recently bought:

*a bag of about a 100 pieces of blue-hued hairbands of different styles and sizes, for my daughter (probably $5 value in the store)

*an around-the-neck style key holder (the sporty ones with the clip on the end). I've seen them go as high as $10.

*some Debbie Mum (she paints cute country-style images for handcrafts/notes/calendars, etc.) kitchen towels. They are the softest and most absorbant kitchen towels I've ever seen. I bought them all out (about 10 pieces) and are using as gifts in giftboxes.

In the past I've gotten:

*Medium sized, hand-stained shelving. $14.99 retail for $1.

I regularly pick up phone equipment (2 way jacks), telephone extension cords for my phones and internet connection, envelopes, gift wrap, laundry baskets (yep - got two strong baskets for $1 each)...etc. All this stuff is much more than a dollar in any other store.

Outside of that I can't remember picking up a real great one-dollar deal anywhere else.
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Old 8 Jan 2003, 10:23 PM   #3
munchkin
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Four vintage style Fender volume and tone pots - white, to match my guitar.
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Old 8 Jan 2003, 11:35 PM   #4
kchess79
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I picked up one of my FAVORITE books (The Kitchen God's Wife, by Amy Tan) at a used bookstore for $.75 once...perfect condition (I'd read my old one to pieces).

GREATEST DEAL EVER (for me)...I picked up a copy of the Death of Superman at a Wal-Mart for $.75 as well...it was just sitting there! If anyone collects comics, they know that even at the time, it was worth a lot more than $.75! I had someone offer $150 for it about 3 years ago (didn't take it, I'm sentimental about my comics).
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Old 9 Jan 2003, 02:40 AM   #5
Dave P in StLouis
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Like kcehss79, I've bought many used books from (among other places) the public library for $1 or so, although none stands out at the moment. BTW, I bought "The Death of Superman" and "World Without a Superman" at Sam's Club. Neither was $1 but both were incredibly cheap.
Other than that, any number of simple things for our daughter, like a sand dollar during our Florida vacation. A child's smile for $1? No better bargain anywhere!

Best wishes,
David P.

Last edited by Dave P in StLouis : 9 Jan 2003 at 02:43 AM.
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Old 9 Jan 2003, 02:43 AM   #6
kchess79
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dave P in StLouis
A child's smile for $1? No better bargain anywhere!
Awwww...that just brightened my day
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Old 9 Jan 2003, 06:10 AM   #7
lux
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Talking

I joined a trial club for two months for $1. I used the coupon to save about 20 dollars. Then they mailed me a rebate offer saying that I could eat at any local restaurant I want and get reimbursed for up to 20 dollars. I took that offer, too... Then I cancelled the trial membership before it expires...
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Old 10 Jan 2003, 01:07 AM   #8
Dave P in StLouis
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Smile How could I forget?

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave P in StLouis
Like kcehss79, I've bought many used books from (among other places) the public library for $1 or so, although none stands out at the moment. . . .
A couple of years ago, I bought some bundles of used paperback books at a charity auction, for a price that worked out to about $1 per book. One of the books was Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker. It's a sort of biography of a dinosaur (specifically, a Utahraptor). It became one of our daughter's favorite books; she's read it at least three or four times.
The money I put in the parking meter when I give blood. Less than a buck to save a life? You bet!
The phone call I made when I asked my wife out on our first date, which will be 22 years ago in August. Less than a buck for a lifetime of true love. (Well, the down payment anyway. )

Best wishes,
David P.
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Old 10 Jan 2003, 01:38 AM   #9
kchess79
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Re: How could I forget?

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave P in StLouis


The phone call I made when I asked my wife out on our first date, which will be 22 years ago in August. Less than a buck for a lifetime of true love. (Well, the down payment anyway. )
Oh, you're just all about the sweetness, aren't you? That's adorable
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Old 6 Sep 2021, 06:43 AM   #10
Bamb0
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin
1) A plastic turntable I picked up for 100 yen!
Wow thats really good Edwin!!! (Those cost alot more than that)

The BEST dollar I ever spent was probably at a record store.. There was a Van Morrison album in the $1 bin and I have no idea why!! -- It is in perfect condition (The jacket is a little messy maybe thats why) I got it a couple years ago....

I would say it is his BEST album: Veedon Fleece (1974)

http://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFi...on_Fleece.html

I find alot of good stuff in the dollar bin actually but that is one that really stands out to me.....

Last edited by Bamb0 : 2 Mar 2023 at 06:59 AM.
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