Is TK Maxx really that good of a deal?/best finds

[optimisticpessimist01]

I was planning on taking a trip out to my nearest TK Maxx, I need some new clothes and skincare items. Are the deals actually that good? What are your best TK Maxx finds ?

YourOpinionIsNoted is overstating the case rather. There certainly are own mark brands (they often say made for TJ Maxx Europe on the care label) and designer brands do apparently make lesser quality runs for them too (a bit like high street brands will sometimes have "sale only" items) but they also do have lesser known brands and good quality stock. It's a bit of a hunt and some knowledge helps, but I've had some fantastic bargains on European brands that just aren't really known in the UK. It's a question of really looking at what you're buying to judge its quality and not just believing what they've printed on the label. If you are the kind of shopper who likes hunting through sale rails, you'll probably like it. If you don't enjoy that, you almost certainly won't!

I love having a root at Tk but have to be in the mood. Best bargain I got was a Vivienne Westwood T-shirt for £30. It really is luck of the draw what they have in stock wise. Some stores are better than others. I'd love to know how they decide what to send where!

Aquis hair turbans are brilliant. Normally around £30. Usually under a tenner in tk maxx.
I have had some lovely shoes from there too, including Dune and Guess.
Full length dresses for posh dos for under £20.
And lovely candles.

Where I live isn't very erm looks conscious? So some fab make up bargains can be grabbed Mac/Benefit/Estee Lauder/Illamasque I've noticed these bargains aren't to be found in the bigger cities. The make up is really easy to rifle through as well!

I mostly go for kids stuff. They sometimes have Little Green Radicals, Smafolk, Molo, Frugi. Good for baby sleeping bags, own brand or Grobag. Brands like Close Parent, Faye and Lou Muslins, brushed cotton Muslins, lots of decent brand dribble bibs. Then toys they have Green Toys recycled plastic toys, Playmobil, Tegu and other great brands.

Brands like Dr Martens and Vans you can get genuinely good bargains on. Great for wallets belts and rucksacks.

I'm not sure on actual adult fashion. I can't be bothered to trawl through the rails anymore.

I mostly just get home stuff from there, you need to go to the poshest area near you and make sure you’ve got plenty of time to trawl through everything.

Most of my stuff is from there these days, I don't always find anything I want but have some good stuff, cotton bedding that is not the cheap chemical infused stuff from China, towels, shoes and boots, winter coats and jackets, sports leggings, tops... men's socks and sometimes a shirt or jacket, pet stuff.

Homesense too, kitchen stuff especially, and bamboo coffee mugs, coasters, armchairs, gardening things.

I like a good root around all the assorted things.

I bought 7 for all Mankind jeans for £30.00; currently for sale elsewhere at £170.00.

It's a bit of pot luck. I like Lee high waisted skinny jeans and they often have those in for £35. I've had luck with some nice jumpers too. There are some decent shoes too.

Children's wear can be good too- DS loves his Calvin Klein coat I got for £24! We've also bought Adidas and Nike for him before.

The home wears can be pretty good too- Pyrex, le creuset, denby etc can usually be found there. I got some lovely Scion placemats at a quarter of RRP and I've found good bedding there before.

But, like outlet shopping centres, there's a lot of tat to shift through, lots of the stuff is made especially for the shop, and something isn't a bargain if you don't want/need it. Designer things at 30% off are often still overpriced IMO.

Bedding - hotel quality with very high TC, kitchen stuff, coats, bags

Fashion is very hit and miss but you can get some nice things if you are prepared to rummage!

It’s like panning for gold. Most of the time you’re sifting through tat but there are occasional glories to be found, like my Versace Jeans handbag, DvF trenchcoat, any many lovely toiletries. Plus I now have pretty much a lifetime supply of Lipstick Queen lippy and L’Artisan Parfumeur scent.

I get stuff online but the good stuff goes fast. I have bought Bally shoes, Pringle cashmere and Estée Lauder make up this year. Also good for perfume and soap.

Hotel pillows from Home sense (which is now owned by tk maxx I think?) are fabulous.

I order a lot online. I like certain brands like Wrap, Poetry, Jigsaw and Vionic and I can quite often pick them up and order cheaply in-store. Yes, certain brands make lesser quality items for TJ's. Like Jaeger - the coats are wool/polyester mixes instead of pure wool and Paul Costelloe bags and others. You just have to be wary. But in my very small town there are very few shops that are worth shopping in and Tk's is one.

It depends. I would say shop alone after a coffee and leave adequate time to browse. Recent bargains were some 'rhino' style start-rites for £16 instead of £50 plus that the shoe shops are currently selling them for.

I’ve had more luck shopping on their website as good stuff is easier to find. Kids toys (Jellycat and Green Toys), homewares (Alessi) and occasionally shoes.

Le Creuset
Orla Kiely mugs storage jars towels
Sunglasses
Towels
Sulphate free shampoo and conditioners
Great cards and wrap
Tights
Sheepskin slippers
Got some great socks in there last week and a load of Dune evening/clutch bags
Rarely bought any actual clothes but for other bits and bobs I love TK.

To get good stuff you need to pop in regularly.

I used to get a lot of my business suits there when I wore them. I had a mix of Paul Costello and Nicole Farhi at the time.

I'm still wearing a Paul Costello jacket that I bought there 5 years ago

I went into next for bedding, then went into TK Maxx and the same bedding set was ££s cheaper.

I often find a good bargain. Their notebooks and diaries are good value too.

I often pick up nice things on their website and usually very little in the shop. I think it's hit and miss quite honestly, almost better if you go in or look on the website with an opportunistic approach rather than specifically going for a dress or coat etc

I can rarely be arsed to look through the adult clothes, but I’ve had some fab Boden clothes for DD recently

I always get my Birkenstocks in there. And I got a fantastic Reiss leather biker for £34 on the clearance rail once. And some Moschino aviators for £6.99. I love a mooch round!

I like it for DS clothes, they have an own brand 'ministry of rascals' that do smart jumpers with cute pictures and aren't itchy. Its also good for DC shoes if you can find the size - lots of Italian brands like geox for around £15. Oh and toys.

I usually buy converse for me there too, I'm a 4 so there's always lots.

It's a horrible shop. Like a giant jumble sale. I have yet to buy anything there.

I often find the kids clothes are quite good and the candles and photo frames, kitchen ware and plant pots are pretty good too. Adult clothing is pretty useless for me though