Brain Teaser – Hardware Store

A man is passing by a hardware store when he's notices an item on display. He thinks that every house should have this item. So he goes in to the store and this is the conversation that takes place:
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CUSTOMER: How much is this item?
EMPLOYEE: One quarter each.
CUSTOMER: So it would be 75 cents for 100?
EMPLOYEE: Correct.
CUSTOMER: I'll take 57.
EMPLOYEE: That will be 50 cents.
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The conversation makes perfect sense. What is the item?