[Mithaldu]

> for $0.10 on the dollar

As a sidenote, i really wonder why people keep phrasing it like this. Why don't you just say:

> for 10%

or

> with a 90% discount

[JonFish85]

I think it's an idiomatic phrase. At least for me, living in Boston, MA, USA, I wouldn't think twice about hearing it. To me, it's a more colorful way of expressing a loss of investment outside of percentages.

[talmand]

One person says six, the other says half-a-dozen.

[pfortuny]

You mean 50% say half-a-dozen and the other half say six?

[satellitecat]

I think that in the context, it conveys the fact that it's 10% of the original price better than saying 10%.