A TK Maxx shopper was stunned to discover a genuine Louis Vuitton handbag with a red discount sticker in her local store, priced at £540.
Tanya O'Neil shared her surprise on Facebook, writing: "Well, I NEVER thought I'd see a genuine LV bag with a RED sticker." Although the price remained out of her budget, she was thrilled to spot the bargain.
Shoppers react to the find
Commenters noted that TK Maxx now stocks many designer bags, with one saying: "They have lots of designer bags in TKMaxx now it's great." Another added: "It's pre-loved, they have loads on the website. They're normally going for the £700-£800 mark."
On its website, TK Maxx advises: "Looking after your pre-loved bag ensures it stays looking fabulous for years to come. For leather bags, a gentle wipe with a soft, dry cloth is often all that's needed. When you're not using it, store it in a dust bag away from direct sunlight to protect the material and maintain its shape."
Mixed opinions on pre-loved designer items
One woman remarked: "State of those handles," suggesting she would not pay that much for a designer item showing wear and tear. However, other shoppers preferred a worn, lived-in look, worrying less about everyday use.
One bargain hunter shared: "I got a Louis briefcase for £210 a few years back on a yellow sticker, it had a broken lock, so I just took it to the [Louis Vuitton] store, and they fixed it for £50 lol."
Others argued the brand was so frequently counterfeited that buying genuine was pointless, with one writing: "You have to realise that everyone who sees you with it, will presume it's fake... so I can't see the point to be honest." Another shopper revealed they owned a "collection of fakes" that had "lasted years", questioning why anyone would pay for the real thing.
TK Maxx history
TK Maxx, a discount clothing and homewares retailer, opened in the UK in 1994. Based in Watford, it is owned by American retailer TJ Maxx, which could not trade under the initials "TJ" in the UK due to the British chain TJ Hughes.
The off-price retailer buys stock when opportunities arise rather than seasonally, allowing it to carry a wide range of brands at lower prices. TK Maxx has expanded across Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Poland and Australia, and also trades as Homesense.
