Sharing shopping stories is always fun.

I got an e-mail from my friend (and former colleague) Gayle Williams that got me smiling – and remembering a story I once shared about one of my own great scores… “the $1.97 pants.”

But this time, I may have been beaten, as you’ll soon see.

Gayle had actually called to tell me about her score when it happened. I agreed it was pretty impressive.

She was all bubbly with details — and since it was her story, not mine — I told her to “write it up,” and I’d be happy to share it.

Well, she has sent it to me, and I think you’ll agree it’s a fun (inspiring) story:
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On Saturday, April 19, I decided to drop in at Bloomingdale’s, a store I like, but only think of as a place to buy my husband’s favorite cologne, or a possible Father’s Day gift for my Dad. Or, maybe something for me from the M.A.C. counter. I usually don’t fare well with their clothes.
But this day, I headed up to the women’s section on the second floor and looked for the discount racks. I’m a fan of the I.N.C. line and headed there first. I picked up a number of fall-ish and spring-ish garments, including some lightweight sweaters and pants.

Took about six items into the dressing room and decided on one: pair of black knit and lycra pants – high waist, full leg and quite nice. They were marked $79.99 and were on the 50 percent rack, and I thought they were worth $40, even though I wasn’t in the market for black pants. These were nice quality and fit well, so I decided to buy them — but only if they were 50 percent off.
I asked the cashier to check to make sure they were 50 percent off. But they were not. They rang up as 1 cent.

That’s right: ONE PENNY!

The cashier explained that from time to time, things that ring up as one penny are mistakenly left on the floor, when they’re supposed to be removed.

In the past, when something rang up as one cent, they weren’t allowed to sell it to the customer. But so many people gave them guff about that, they started selling the items as they rang up.

So, off I went with my penny pants. Of course the penny pants meant I could buy more: So I found a 50 percent off shirt and a pair of 30 percent off pants.

I’ve worn the pants twice already and I love them more than anything!
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Now that’s going to be hard to beat…

Do you have a story about a truly great score?