I've just bought my first item from TK Maxx and now I want to know more about it...

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I didn't have time to browse as my two DDs were with me, but I went in for the first time yesterday and found something I'd been looking EVERYWHERE for and am very pleased. Never occurs to me to go in as it always strikes me as being full of junk.

If you think it should become a staple shop in my limited list of go-to retailers, tell me why you like it.

Or why you don't...

What annoys me though is how the security labels always leave holes. Left many children clothes at checkout because of rips and holes from them once removed.

I love TK Maxx for all the above reasons, and agree you have to be in the right frame of mind to get the best bargains (including being able to buy something you like there and then, as it probably won't be there in a week, say)

It helps if you are an unusual size (DH) or like unusual or different clothes / shoes (me)!

PeanutMD that bears out what my DW thinks - she once bought a summer wrap dress from there and when she wore it once and saw herself in the mirror she was mortified to see that the hem dipped in several places. She often says she thinks some of the things are samples too....

Can't believe the knicker scenario - totallly gross...

We love it in our household - it's a bit of a cornucopia but with quite a bit of tat thrown in for good measure. But at least you might find something a bit different to most high street stuff!

Useless for shoes in a ladies 8!
Great for baby clothes and sports gear.

Gotta visit regularly to see what's new.
Like the idea of a 15 min rule that someone mentioned upthread.
Good for bags, umbrellas, suitcases, mugs, kitchen equipment, shoes, sheets.
Better for men's clothes than women's IME. Women's clothes can be a bit of a jumble sale.

I've bought a few items - generally online, and never found any quality issues - allsaints handbag, liberty notebook, toast cardigan. Prices were very good. Some things in the physical shops look tired and a bit manky - but I'd avoid those - obviously!

The cookware is utter crap. As a pretty good baker and cook but the brands are well dodgy. You can buy better brands for a few pounds more elsewhere. Some brands are labelled to look like a professional range but they are far it! I would deffinately do a price match before purchase and dont even take any notice of the RRP.

I never see any bargins for things I like. The baby range under the 'famous labels' I've never seen these bands????

Not for me I'm afraid

Got yesterday :

Joseph Joseph kitchenware

Wooden Thomas toys for DSs sodor table

Sports clothing (female)

Books

Chopard sunglasses

Great for baby stuff, but girl's clothes can be a bit too glitzy for me.

Great for sports clothes, walking and skiing stuff.

Also bags and sunglasses. Recently picked up an osprey bag for £29, with the exact style still on the osprey website for £95.

Women's clothes - often too jumblesale-y for me to take a proper look. I think you need to have an idea what you need / want before you rummage!

Some of the cookware is crap but how can Le Creuset and Joseph Joseph be rubbish? It might be seconds or last year's stock but if you hold it in your hands you can tell it's still decent stuff.

Oh dear, slipped in to return some items today and came out with a lot more! Silver cotton knit boxy jumper, Nine West chevron knit dress, red tote bag, tights, and various housey bits. Plus some purple suede Merrell boots for DD (from women's section, shes now the same size as me and she's 10)! They were only £20!

I don't care about brand/label but I do care about the quality of the item and check seams, etc. I don't go in often as I keep a small wardrobe but wanted some dresses for winter. I got three dresses for 29.99 each that did happen to have a nice label/brand. HOWEVER, while you can check a dress you cannot check packaged stuff and two pairs of tights - some popular brand I can't now remember - are awful and won't stay up. You have to be choosy.

I got some perfume I saw in Selfridges ages ago and couldn't afford, and some chocolate short UGGs
Last year I was shopping for my Mums Christmas present when I saw a bottle of perfume on the floor in a plastic case. 100ml Shalimar, £25 she thought I was the most generous daughter ever

I bought a lovely soft, pink velour tracksuit pants and sweatshirt outfit for DD1 in the US TJMaxx when she was about 2. It was made in Czechoslovakia, and it outlasted Czechoslovakia itself by at least ten years, worn by all four of the DDs pretty much constantly when they were between 2 and 3 yos.

The trick is to flick through the rails looking at the fabric. If it looks decent, pull out the garment and see if you like it.
This week I bought a Steve Madden snakeskin belt with two interchangeable buckles for £4. And an unusual embroidered scarf that said 'take me home', so did, googled it and it retails in Nordstrom for $60.
DD has a pair of Kenzo espadrilles that were £3!

ugg boots foe £40 (in blue)
Fly long boots for £30
Molten Brown stuff for cheap
San Tropez for cheap
Ski wear for cheap
the list goes on....

Couple of weeks ago I went to their sale bit and got a pair of DKNY jeans for £7 and a pair of lovely Billabong Jeans for £5!

i asked member of staff last week where they got their stuff and he said it was over ordering from other shops like well known department stores. i am a recent convert and think it has got much better in last couple of years - in early 00s it was very jumble sale-y.

I do shop there a lot and have had some great bargains but have had very odd experience with their leather biker jackets this year, ordered 3 and am utterly convinced not one of them was leather, despite the inner label stating it was. Compared to other leather jackets they didn,t feel or smell like leather. On returning to them I mentioned to sales asst who agreed but promptly retagged them and no doubt put them back on sale. Otherwise apart from the website annoying me have been able to buy lots of good stuff.

framey Ugg Boots? Proper Uggs?

The only clothing I've ever bought was the bargain of my life, 7 For All Mankind jeans for £4!! They were the best fitting jeans I've ever had.
I love their home wear and handbags/beauty items, good prices if you're prepared to dig.
Like others have said, I really have to be in the mood for TK Maxx

It's much better than it used to be. I find it great for children, toys, stationery, picture frames, handbags, sunglasses and scarves. I rarely have the motivation to go through the clothes but did get an inky blue leather jacket for £50 last month which is stunning.

*clothes and shoes for children not children to be purchased!