I always thought TK Maxx exaggerated the RRP

[EachandEveryone]

Now I’ve learnt my lesson. I bought my teenage nieces passport sets for their school trip to NYC, from John Lewis. They went to TK Max yesterday and saw them less than half the price. You see I thought TK Maxx got old stock not stuff that’s still in the shops. I could weep!!

They seem a bit thick. Don't they know that stuff reduces in the Jan sales?

My parents bought me a Christmas gift last year which was later reduced by 70%, so I let them know and they returned the original and bought it at sale price. Maybe in their own rather rude and ignorant way your nieces are asking if you want to do the same and save yourself £20?

Hopefully they're not expecting you to give them the saving though, because that really would be rude.

@lostinjapan that's a good point, and with OP's update, it doesn't sound as if the nieces are spoilt, so this is possible. I know my nieces would want me to find a bargain too.

@lostinjapan trye, I didn't have a receipt and that makes a difference. But JL are not obliged by law to give any refund if the goods are not faulty, receipt or not. Given that JL have a good reputation, they probably have a store policy that they will refund, but that's down to their discretion.

bores herself

Sure, but I mean if I buy something from John Lewis, then I do it with a promise that I can return the item if I change my mind (so long as it's in resaleable condition, I have a receipt and it's within 35 days). So surely they'd be in trouble if they decided they didn't want to honour their returns policy anymore (unless it's like HMV and they've gone into administration)? I appreciate that legally there's no requirement for a retailer to offer a goodwill returns policy though.

Back on topic though, OP - John Lewis have an extended returns policy over Christmas, just so you know, if you wanted to return the items you bought.

That's 100% a Debenhams sticker. I think they're just rude tbh OP, it seems like they're trying to make out that's what you've spent on them and they've sprung you, or show you you've got them a gift that's really worth 7 quid or whatever the label said, like they're hoping to get something out of it or prompt you to want to return the original now and they can get the money/a bonus gift. Its not something you'd surely do unless you didn't like the gift, if you're pleased with it cost is irrelevant, if they saw it and were going 'wow what a bargain,we love these but I hope you didn't overpay- would it make sense to buy these and you get a refund if you can' sort of message.

Being generous, theyre still plain rude and are old enough to be told so. I'd reply something like "wow what a bargain, I paid full price- what's your point though?"

Sod spending hours in Sephora for them OP, if they've got jobs and are off on holiday they're hardly beggars , they can order it online or go in themselves. Sadly people always seem to take advantage of generosity if you give it reliably. I'd be mortified if kids of mine sent a relative this.

@EachandEveryone
I’m going off topic hear but tell your nieces to remove the passport covers before approaching the US Immigration officers as they get really annoyed if the passport even has any kind of cover including the clear removable one

If you have the receipt, you get that amount back.

Think people on here are being a bit bitchy. I dont think they were rude sending the picture, surly that’s just general stuff. Would be rude if the op bought them half price and the nieces sent a picture of it with the full price tag, that I would have took as even more rude.

I disagree. I think they ARE rude. Very. Why would it occur to anyone to do that? I know for a fact that a very large gift set of bath and body products which I bought for my mum for Christmas in Boots went down to half price last week. She will have been into Boots and probably seen it. Would it even occur to her to look at the price/take a photo/send it to me? Er no. Similarly, my DP bought me a perfume and body lotion set. I know he could have got it for half that price in another shop. Did I take a picture of it in the cheaper shop? No. As a pp said, I wouldn't be buying gifts for such rude and ungrateful people again tbh.

Would be rude if the op bought them half price and the nieces sent a picture of it with the full price tag, that I would have took as even more rude

Why?

That’s so rude
I have seen two gifts in the sales that I was bought, both heavily reduced.
But I had the joy of opening on Xmas day and know how much thought went into choosing my gift for me and wouldn’t dream of informing the buyer that they have been effectively ripped off!

I would reply to your nieces that it is inevitable things get reduced in the sales and if they would prefer you will give them cash next year and they can go sales shopping instead.

Re giving them cash next year, I'd be pointing out that they don't sell manners anywhere so it's pointless.

I don’t think they are rude. I always give gift receipts so people can do what they like. My nephew& nieces I ask if they would like cash to put towards a bigger gift or a surprise. If a surprise then the gift receipt!

I don't think they're being rude; probably more a "Oh nooooooo, look! They've got them here so much cheaper when poor aunty Each paid loads more 😢😢😢" . Everyone's rushing to slate them when they don't know the first thing about them.

I bought some rather nice purses and make up bags (I forget the make but it always a fancy one with a store in New Bind Street) from the manufacturer in a mad sale - so beautiful purse was about £10 but marked as £40 on their website and a make up bag for £5 madder as £36. I saw it in Toms Deals (which can be really good).

I saw the same items in TK’s a few months later for £20.

I suppose the RRP can be a bit of a red herring sometimes as I see items on Amazon for a lot cheaper.

Oh and they were really rude to send the photo (not a TKs label as people have pointed out)!

Send them a text back saying it's very normal for items to be reduced in the January sales. 🙄

It’s not a surprise to them that stuff is reduced in January, surely.

I really don’t get the point of sending a photo.

Initially it sounds like a rude thing to do but maybe they were just astounded by the price difference and sharing their 'Oh my god. Look' moment with you. Teens aren't known for their tact. So long as they thanked you for them when they received them, I'd forget about it. Or jokingly text back about how you'd rather not know about the post Christmas sale price so they learn something about gift receiving etiquette.

Channel 4 ( I think - it was a terrestrial British tv station) did a programme on TK Maxx a couple of years back and a lot of merchandise is made specifically for TKMaxx by the brands.
Just like the shops in the outlets, much of the merchandise is made specifically for outlets.
You might hit lucky the odd time but I take the RRP on them with a pinch of salt.

I thought that documentary was a real eye opener.

The documentary was a real eye opener.
Much of the clothing HAD NEVER BEEN SOLD AT THE RRP. It was just made up