Not sure what stores you had in mind hitting, but many of the stores in the surounding DC area have undergone a clean-up/inventory so much of the pickings are slim. Whereas there are still a few deals out there, there are few opportunities to find some of the more sought after tools in the DC area - just don' see reductions on these items, nor sure if it is due in part to the economy of this area. I have been looking for a coil nailer - any brand - and most if not all of the ones posted here on GJ are at full price here.
I find a lot of penny items - also found two of the All Black 5 Dwr tool boxes on Friday ($25.03), an Empire 72" Box Level (.01) - but again, things like the Empire 48" and Husky 24" Laser Levels are all at full price. Very hit or miss. I enjoy looking and finding these items and as noted have been successful on a few occassions (2 weeks ago found 2 72" levels and 7 Black Diamond Plate Shop lights in one store, all for a penny each) as well as 33 penny items on Friday (D Wing cable holders, fan light switches, cable mounting kits, big screen wiring kits, etc.). Walked out of one store with 17 garden whirlygigs (normally $29.99) for free, as well as 8 nice copper whirlygigs (were $79.99) for free as well (although that bargain required help from Corporate as the MDO refused to give them to me for a penny. To make sure I got them, I paid the last clearance price $13.02 each, and then worked with Corporate to get a refund - not a whole lot of fun, but worth it. Same store that gave me the $29.99 whirlygigs also gave me 7 Linksys extenders for free - there policy if you find a penny item, they will give it to you to avoid corporate finding out.
Believe that some of these finds are a result of the clean-up/inventory as some of them were in the clearance areas, but mostly through determination and keeping a list of items posted here to use in the search of the various store areas (electrical, lighting, hardware, tools, etc.).
Let me know if you have any questions, concerns, etc. and be safe - some of the areas these stores area located in are not the safest after dark.