Woman finds $1,400 Fendi bag at T.J. Maxx. Then an expert clocks the ‘deal’: ‘Unless there’s a yellow sticker involved…’

For those who can’t afford designer fashion fresh off the runway but still want to own high-quality pieces, discount stores, resellers, and secondhand retailers can feel like the best place to look for a deal.

That’s what TikTok creator @shopperladydmv says she found while shopping at T.J. Maxx: a Fendi mini leather bag for $1,399.99.

However, according to another TikTok creator, Marc (@verifiedbluecheckmarc), the deal might not have been as good as it first looked.

Why Was This a Bad T.J. Maxx Deal?

Marc stitched @shopperladydmv’s video, where she shows the Fendi bag she says she grabbed from T.J. Maxx.

“Yesterday I grabbed the Fendi Mini Black crossbody bag from T.J. Maxx,” she says before the video cuts off.

Marc then appears in front of the video and offers shoppers a warning.

“Before swiping your card, get your phone out and take the 30 seconds it takes to check if you really are getting a deal,” he says.

He says the first thing shoppers should check is the “compare at” price on the tag, because that number can sometimes be wrong at discount stores. However, he says that with luxury runway items, the number is usually fairly accurate.

In this case, the T.J. Maxx tag listed the “compare at” price as $1,750. Marc then shows the Fendi listing, which appears to match that number. “$1,750. Extremely accurate,” he says.

The problem, according to Marc, is the actual discount.

“T.J. Maxx is asking $1,400, which is a 20% savings,” he says. “Which is not really a T.J. Maxx discount if you ask me.”

Marc points out that even though the bag is still being sold at full price by Fendi, shoppers should check other retailers before assuming T.J. Maxx has the best price.

“If it’s at T.J. Maxx, there’s a good chance it’s elsewhere,” he says.

He then shows another listing for the same bag priced at $1,191, which is even less than T.J. Maxx’s price.

Marc also says there may be another benefit to buying from an online retailer instead.

“There’s a greater chance that your bag wasn’t handled by as many potential customers and/or careless employees taking it out, putting it back,” he explains.

According to Marc, the Runway section at T.J. Maxx can be exciting to look through, but it does not always offer the same kind of deep discount that shoppers expect from the rest of the store.

“The runway sections typically have the worst value in terms of discount,” he says. “Their prices are comparable to regular sales at high-end department stores or the brands themselves.”

He says those items may eventually go on clearance, but by then, they may also have more wear from sitting in the store.

“As they sit in the store longer and longer, their condition gets iffier and iffier, with runs, holes, scratches, etc.,” he says.

“Unless there’s a yellow clearance sticker involved, there’s nothing ‘Maxxinista’ about buying luxury at a TJ Maxx,” he added in the caption.

Commenters Were Not Sold on the Bag

In the comments section, viewers agreed that $1,400 at T.J. Maxx did not exactly feel like a steal.

“If I’m spending $1400 at TJ Maxx, I better be decorating almost my whole damn house with curtains, towels, pots, pots, etc. AND replacing my whole wardrobe including shoes,” one user wrote.

Another commenter questioned how the store handles expensive merchandise.

“They’ll put a 25-dollar perfume in a case but not a 1400 dollar bag,” they wrote.

Others were focused on the bag itself.

“I just hope she REALLY loves that bag because that style/Fendi in general depreciates like crazy,” one person said.

“It wasn’t even cute,” another wrote.

Does T.J. Maxx Sell Luxury Goods?

Yes. While T.J. Maxx is known for discounts and cheaper everyday finds, the retailer does sell designer items through its Runway section. T.J. Maxx describes the Runway as its “most exclusive department,” with European, contemporary, and couture fashion from high-end designers.

There are also some concerns among shoppers about authentication and returns. In online discussions, some customers have claimed that people can buy authentic designer items, return counterfeit versions, and have those items end up back on shelves.

That is one reason shoppers may want to inspect luxury pieces closely and ask about any authentication paperwork before buying.

@verifiedbluecheckmarc Unless there’s a yellow clearance sticker involved, there’s nothing “Maxxinista” about buying luxury at a TJ Maxx #tjmaxxfinds #tipsandtricks ♬ original sound – Marc ($14.99/month)

The Mary Sue has reached out to T.J. Maxx via email and @shopperladydmv and Marc via Instagram for comment.

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