Expensive Things At T.J. Maxx

Gucci - Diamond 18K Gold Flora Ring 

Savvy Shoppers love T.J. Maxx where you get great value for the money. Up to now, I've shown you some of the bargains and steals I've acquired from my favored budget-friendly retailer. But as it turns out there is plenty of high-end merchandise for customers with deep pockets too. Some top luxury brands sold at TJM are "shy"  and aren't searchable or linkable on its website. You must scroll to find them. Here are several expensive examples you may be surprised to find at TJM available right now:

1) Fine Jewelry - Gucci Diamond 18k Gold Flora Ring made in Italy or Gemolie 14k Gold Ruby and Diamond Earrings.

2) Silk Ties - Brioni Men's Disinger Tie Made-in-Italy.

3) Designer Makeup and Skin Care - Jimmy Choo Satin Lipstick and La Prairie Skin Caviar Nighttime Oil.

4) Designer Sunglasses - Balenciaga (left) and Gucci (right).

5) Fine leather goods - BICS luggage and Chloe handbag.

6. Off the Runway Designer Clothes and shoes, with names too numerous to mention - One example is a Dress the Population Long Sleeve Sequin Dress.

7. Home Goods and cookery - Also too numerous to mention like this All-Clad aluminum skillet.

Frankly, I've passed on buying luxury labels (such as Valentino and Chloe bags and shoes, or designer skincare) just because I don't especially long to own them ... not that I'm against the brands per se. At TJM luxury brands are discounted yet can still cost 100s or 1000s of dollars when the brand's price points are high at full retail. Only buy them because you want them, not because of their tempting reductions. Personally, I'm happy with my leather Coach bags, Mundi wallets, and Neutrogena skincare, which TJM also carries for less. Also, I've purchased top-notch goods manufactured in Korea, Australia, and Europe. Today's blog illustrates how vast TJM's inventory is. Not knowing what you'll find is part of the fun of shopping there!

Christian Louboutin Suede Iriza Pumps

Chances are excellent you'll discover "new" brands in your price range, or get a pricey item at a steal!

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5 Reasons Not To Buy Cartier Love Bracelets

All photos: Courtesy of Cartier unless noted. I like this design because the diamonds hide scratches that show on the smooth bangles. It's also less common than the plain ones, although I approve of common when cheap. :)

The Cartier Love Bracelet was designed in 1969 by Aldo Cipullo and recently popularized by television personality and makeup entrepreneur, Kylie Jenner, who is known to stack her multiple love bracelets up and down both arms while filming her family's scripted Kardashian reality show. 

Back in 1969, the original Cartier Love Bracelet was gold-plated sterling silver selling for $250. It was a plain bangle with the familiar bolt design that came with a vermeil screwdriver to unlock the bracelet to put it on or take it off. The inspiration for the bracelet was a medieval chastity belt, and ideally, customers like Kylie Jenner are supposed to wear it (or them:), 24/7. 

Soon after promoting the bracelets, Cartier dropped sterling silver and made the bracelets out of 18-carat gold. In 1979 the retailer added diamonds to the design. Today the Cartier Love Bracelet Collection has grown to about 50 variations selling from $4,450 to $62,000 depending on the width, gold, and gemstones you buy. For unknown reasons, white gold costs more than yellow or rose gold at Cartier. The bracelets weigh between 30 grams and 38 grams. On the resale market, yellow gold retains more of its value due to its greater demand.

I won't lie ... I like the chic solid bracelet ... rose gold and sparkly 3 rows of diamonds would be my choice, yet I will never in a million years buy one. 

Here are 5 reasons why I don't think you should buy it either:

1) It's not good value for the money. You spend a huge markup to own a status bracelet. You're not paying for the value of the gold or diamonds, you pay for the Cartier name, and the concession isn't good value for the money.

2) There's nothing unique or special about the bracelet, which is often the natural criteria along with demand for driving up the price of an item. It's as if the bracelet is mass-produced! Every luxury influencer, wannabe, and Kardashian wears a Cartier Love Bracelet. You are spending a ton of money to join the flock of over consumptionairs.

3) The bangles don't stay pristine, but scratch and break easily, so you will make several trips to Cartier for repairs. After charging double-digit-thousands, why can't Cartier design bracelets that don't scratch up and locks that don't loosen or break?

4) It's a hassle to take the bracelet off and on. You'll always need the help of another person to unscrew it, not to mention, do you want to leave on an expensive piece of fine jewelry 24/7? One that scratches easily?? Really, do 'ya???

5) A slew of Cartier Love Bracelets always end up on the resale market. What does it tell you? 

Photo: Pinterest

1. Too many customers have regrets after parting with a heap of moola: The allure of owning the bracelet sometimes exceeds the love of wearing it. 

2. You need not buy a new bracelet at full price: If you must own a Cartier Love Bracelet save a few thousand bucks by perusing the reputable resale markets. 

 

Frankly, I wouldn't pay the still-inflated prices for a pre-loved Cartier Love Bracelet. But I'm a value shopper, and it's a hard habit to break. 

If a buyer were to choose a non-staus, fine jewelry bracelet, she could get an equivalent bangle (sometimes with more gold and diamonds) for less money that fewer people own, for example, the Roberto Coin Love in Verona bracelets - plain or with flower diamonds or pave diamonds. Moreover, you don't need a key to take it on and off! That said, whatever brings you happiness is not to be judged. Logic doesn't always win. Personally, I like the Cartier Love Bracelets, but think consumers can find beautiful similar pieces for significantly less. Same joy + a car ... or some retirement money.

Roberto Coin Love In Verona

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