Can someone explain Pandora to me?

[KaycePollard]

Every Christmas time, I see people in a long queue outside the Pandora shop. It's started again this year. What is the deal with Pandora? It looks like fairly bland mass-produced stuff to me, but it seems pricey for what it is. I'm fascinated to know what the attraction is?

It’s an easy gift. Don’t make the mistake of asking someone about theirs, you’ll get a long explanation of each charm

Every man and his dog have one. Mass produced tack. I don't see the appeal at all personally but others obviously do. It's subjective. Whatever toots your horn.

I can’t see the appeal of Pandora but I love Trollbeads. I’d be hard pressed to explain the difference, except that the latter were cool when I was a teenager and now I can afford them.

For me it’s not the fact that people like them, to each their own and all that, but it’s the price of them.

I mean they’re an easy gift I suppose but also an extortionately expensive one. How do people afford them?

@RubyTuesday70

Our DD's loved it when they were teenagers, and we spent hundreds on bracelets and charms etc. They've not worn them for years.... waste of money.

According to them, it's all a bit chavvy.....................

Why is it a waste of money? Tastes change. They still loved it then.

I too think this is a goady post. Don't try and shame people for their likes and dislikes.

I used to love Links of London charms

@thickthighs73

I used to love Links of London charms

I was gutted when they went into administration

I love Trollbeads. I’d be hard pressed to explain the difference, except that the latter were cool when I was a teenager and now I can afford them.

I love Trollbeads, mainly just the silver ones and the leather bracelets, I love the silver bracelet locks.

I have always wondered too op and I don't think you are being goady. I had a silver charm bracelet as a child and the charms came from jewellers. Maybe jewellers don't sell charms anymore or maybe Pandora have an amazing PR company or maybe they sprinkle pringles dust on you in the shop so you have to keep going back for more.

They limit the amount of people in the shop so a queue forms outside. Makes it look extra popular. Hollister also used to do this. I find it baffling too.

It reminds me of Nando's. Every other (superior, imo) restaurant in the centre half empty - huge queue at Nando's. Don't get it. But it takes all sorts.

Whether it’s to your taste or not, it’s not complicated to figure out why it’s a successful gift idea and business model. Hardly requires “explaining.” Nothing quite like starting a MN thread to prove you’re above it all though. Good on ya

Whenever anyone mentions Pandora to me, I always point them to Cookson Gold
These are sterling silver

www.cooksongold.com/Beads/-Range=Charm_Beads/-Type=0/-Colour=0/-Shape=0/-Size=0/-Brand=0/-Seed_Bead_Size=0/&prdsearch=y

For as long as I’ve been on MN (a very long time but constant NC) there have been posts about Pandora being chavvy or basic. Some posters think they are terribly clever to be dismissive of things with mainstream appeal. I don’t have any but I wouldn’t turn my nose up at it if I were gifted some. I do think there’s something in the ‘safe’ theory for men doing last minute shopping though.

It's really popular and lots of people love collecting charms etc.

I don't personally want any. I'm very fussy with jewellery. But this post seems rather goady for no reason. If you don't like it don't buy it?

@A580Hojas

A lot of people obviously like Pandora jewellery.

What else is there to say honestly?

You are being goady.

It's jewellery that people like. Nothing else and you know that OP.

It's a popular brand and makes a nice gift, that's why it gets busy.
I have some Pandora earrings and necklace and they are lovely quality, much better than my other silver earrings from high street jewellers.

The charm bracelets have never appealed but some of their other bits are quite pretty

Another one here who never jumped on the Pandora bandwagon. Too much dangling off it for me. I have got a nomination bracelet which I like because it's flat and doesn't catch. The kids are happy because they always know what to get for birthdays and Christmas, I suppose the Pandora one is the same because you can keep adding to it.

… because not everyone is able to curate or source artisan jewellery?

I've got earring and a necklace and they are lovely. I love Georg Jenson but can't afford it, people buy what they afford.

It's co-operative jewellery

I'm not mad on the bracelets, but I'm not really into jewellery.

Aside from their products, their stores are very well thought out. Really bright, well laid out and they have a bead or charm for pretty much any occasion. Really accessible jewellery- someone who might feel intimidated going into a very quiet standard jewellers with engagement rings etc costing £££ in the window might feel less out of place going into Pandora where it's more like a high street shop.

Snob

@HundredMilesAnHour

I'm with you OP. It's baffling. And no, I don't think you're being goady. It's not an unreasonable question.

Totally agree.