The 33 1/3 second mystery #29
 

Wink E. Dink went to the local Lowepot store to buy something for his house. He found a clerk in the correct department and asked, "How much does one cost?"
The clerk replied, "A dollar and fifty cents."
"How much does twelve cost?"
"Three dollars."
"How much does two hundred cost?"
"Four dollars and fifty cents."

What was Wink purchasing?

Racking my brain, but haven't got a clue. Been thinking along the lines of nails or something else that comes in bulk or something like pressurized air or some other gas or liquid (since it sounds like a Home Depot/Lowes style store), but nothing fits.

Weak shot at a guess:

number of colors to be mixed for a gallon paint can?

naw, you never mix 200 colors - it's always a 3-color (sometimes 4 color) system.

i'd say house numbers.

#1 is one piece, costs $1.50
#12 is 2 pieces, costs $3
#200 is 3 pieces, costs $4.50

yeah, that's what I figured. Just a shot in the dark.

Looks like your answer would have to be right. Good job!

Dog my cats! I thought this would keep you folks occupied for a while, but shakran has won a second fuzzy bunny. Congratulations

numbers for a mailbox or something... one only has 1 number, thus 1.50, 12 has 2 numbers, so 3.00, and 200 has 3 numbers, so 4.50.

1.50 per number...