Verify & In-Store Strategy

Finding a penny item is only half the game. The other half is verifying the price, following store process, and staying respectful if a store refuses the sale. This chapter covers the safest ways to check and the most common pitfalls.

How to verify penny status in-store

The only way to know the real price is to scan the UPC. The app can help, but the scan is what counts.

Verify the in-store price at self-checkout or with an employee store phone. Employee verification can lead to policy checks, and some stores may remove penny-flagged items. Associates can scan a barcode photo from your phone or look up the SKU number without physically taking the item, but process varies and extra questions are common. Use the method available in your store and follow staff guidance.

Practical verification tips

Note: These tips are based on consistent community reports. Specifics vary by store.

• Bring a clear UPC photo and SKU number to reduce identification mistakes.
• Associates use handheld tools (commonly Zebra or FIRST) during verification.
• If a store flags the item for removal, staff may decline the sale and pull the item.
• Some associates can verify from a barcode photo or SKU lookup; process varies by store.
• Use normal checkout flow and follow any staff instructions if assistance is required.
• Note: self-checkout terminals can notify employees through the FIRST phone (store phone, also called Zebra) when a penny item is scanned. Some stores are more proactive than others.

The right way vs. the wrong way

What to bring

• Your phone with the Home Depot app set to the correct store.
• A photo of the UPC or the SKU number.
• A payment method ready so checkout is quick.
• Patience. Not every trip will be a win.

Where to look in-store

• Home bay shelves where the item normally lives — this is now the primary location as endcaps are phased out
• Seasonal sections right after a holiday or department reset
• Top and bottom shelves where leftovers sit undisturbed
• Overhead areas with visible yellow tags (high reward, higher risk)
• Return areas or endcaps that look unorganized

MET reset timing

MET teams handle bay resets on a scheduled calendar. Penny-outs are often synchronized with these resets. The 48 hours before a scheduled reset is when items are most likely to be pulled. If you notice a reset in progress in a specific department, check nearby bays for late-stage clearance items before they get swept.

What to look for (penny-prone categories)

These categories show up often in community reports. They are not guarantees, but they are reliable starting points.

• Hardware
• Lighting
• Electrical parts
• Paint accessories
• Seasonal leftovers
• Discontinued items
• Brand or packaging transitions

Why checkout can be complicated

Every penny sale generates an internal report called a Zero-Comm. It is a failure log — it means the store did not pull the item before someone found it. This is why some associates push back: the sale creates paperwork for them. Understanding this helps you stay patient when checkout does not go smoothly.

Some items — especially power tools from brands like Milwaukee and Ryobi — have automated buy-back locks. Even a willing associate cannot sell them. The system blocks the sale because the vendor has already arranged to reclaim the inventory. If a register blocks the sale entirely, the item is likely in this category.

The $.02 signal in practice

If you find an item at $.02, move quickly. This price is a 48-hour signal to the MET team to pull the item (explained in detail in Chapter 2). The window between $.02 and removal is short.

Checkout: keep it simple

There is no perfect method. Some stores honor penny prices. Some do not. The goal is to use clear verification steps and respect store discretion.

• Keep transactions simple and honest. Avoid unnecessary complexity.
• If you have many unverified SKUs, expect extra review and possible refusals.
• If an associate stops the sale, stay calm. Many stores simply do not allow penny sales.
• If you are asked to return the item after purchase, show your receipt and ask politely for guidance.

Self-checkout flow (low drama)

1. Have your payment ready before you scan anything.
2. Scan the UPC barcode on the product, not the yellow clearance tag.
3. If it scans for a penny, pay immediately and print the receipt.
4. If the transaction completes, keep your receipt and follow normal exit procedures.

If you are stopped

• Stay calm and polite. Do not argue.
• If you have already paid, show the receipt and ask for guidance.
• If the sale is refused, accept it and move on.

The long game matters. Leaving a penny behind is better than burning a store or creating a bad interaction.

Locked cases and cages

Items in locked cases or cages require an employee. If the item is a penny, the employee may refuse to hand it over. Ask politely for verification and accept the final answer you receive.