Impulse Bargain
I don't buy too much on impulse, save a few small things on e-bay, but back about 10 years, before such methods of money-squandering were open to me, one impulse buy was perhaps my best bargain ever.

Mrs Ugi & I had just bought our first house, which was in quite a state. We needed no end of stuff and didn't have too much cash or much idea of where to get it all, so we ended up at Homebase on about their first ever 10%-off-everything night. Budget was spent and then some, but in wondering round we spotted a power-shower in it's box.

Now this house we had not yet moved into had a half-renovated bathroom with a bath but no shower, and with both of us working a decent shower would be time saved in the mornings. Better still, this £250 shower was end-of-line (I guess - don't think showers have use-by dates) and carried a little orange sticker reading "£199". OK, says we. It's not what we came for, but we'll need a decent shower and £50 off is handy, plus we get this extra £20 off tonight only. Sold.

When we came to pay, the bill was rather less than I had expected, but was a number of hundreds so I didn't think too much of it. In fact, I guess they don't get too many showers marked down because the £199 ticket had been rung through as £1.99 (or rather £1.97 allowing for 10% off), giving a discount of 99.2%. The shower was great and running fine 6 years later when we moved out. At perhaps a twentieth of a penny per shower that must be my best bargain yet.
( Ugi , it's a game of give and cake, Thu 21 May 2009, 13:56, 4 replies)

ah
but the 20th of a penny does not factor in running costs, such as electricity and water if you are on a meter!
(little lord muthafuckin fauntleroy, Thu 21 May 2009, 16:29, closed)

Good point ...
.. but then they would have amounted to the same if we had paid full price for the shower itself and much more if we'd stuck to taking baths.
( Ugi , it's a game of give and cake, Thu 21 May 2009, 18:10, closed)

.
I'd never even heard of a "power shower" until I read the DIY QOTW, so the big surprise for me in your story was that you actually installed it and got it running :)
(xanthine, Sun 24 May 2009, 21:04, closed)

Yes, well
Plumbing is the DIY job which requires the single greatest amount of swearing, in our house at least, and the little attic above this bathroom was perhaps the most dirty and uncomfortable place I have ever attempted self-immolation (yes, I briefly set the attic on fire with myself wedged into it). Nonetheless, the shower was eventually installed and did us absolutely proud. Best 2-quid I have spent so far.
( Ugi , it's a game of give and cake, Tue 26 May 2009, 12:00, closed)