T.J. Maxx + designer bags = a wallet-winning combo
I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. There, on the end of a rack of purses at T. J. Maxx, hung a treasure trove of really expensive bags for way-below-retail prices.
Could this be true?
T.J. Maxx and its corporate sister, Marshalls, can always be counted on for perfectly respectable brands like Nine West and Tommy Hilfiger. And at the discount store prices, you can pick up a couple of bags each season without resigning yourself to a week of PB & J sandwiches. 
But brands like Michael Kors (see right), BCBG and Adrienne Vittadini? I hadn't noticed those before.
First, I spotted a Cole Haan zip hobo in rust that would go with pretty much anything. Suggested retail: $295. T.J. Maxx price: $149.99.
A safari-inspired Cole Haan triangle tote (see left) in a geometic chocolate and ivory print was selling for $189.99 instead of the $350 retail price. (Turns out, it is marked down to $179.95 on the Cole Haan Web site.)
A roomy vintage leather Claudio Ferrici bag big enough to fit a laptop was going for $299.99...down from the $520 suggested retail price. Now, my skimpy budget won't allow for spending $520 on a computer case, but I'm jealous of anyone this bit of info benefits.
I wondered if my neighborhood T.J. Maxx was the only one with these extra-good goodies. Sonya Cosentini, a spokesman for the company, gave me the skinny.
She said every T.J. Maxx offers brand name and designer handbags at 20 to 60 percent off regular prices. She wouldn't reveal the extent of those designer options, citing the company's policy of not advertising specific brands in order to keep prices low. This Deal Diva couldn't quibble with that.
Finding them, however, seems like a bit of a crapshoot.
"We get 10,000 new pieces of merchandise every week in every store," she said. "It really depends on when you go."
Is that code for, "You must go often?" 'Cuz for these pretties, plenty of fashionistas will be down with that.
~ Deal Diva Colleen
(Photos: Michael Kors and Cole Haan Web sites)
Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or 
Since she was a little girl Nicole Hutcheson dreamed of dressing like a Vogue cover girl. But her reality was more JCPenney catalog. The fact only honed her better ability to find luxury for less. Always on the hunt for markdowns on designer labels, this Deal Diva’s weaknesses are good jeans and killer heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8828 or 
Colleen Jenkins learned two invaluable shopping tenets from her mom: 1. Buy quality. 2. Get it on sale. Then she added one of her own: Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! This Deal Diva’s idea of a blissful Saturday includes a trip to the Ellenton outlet mall. She loves mixing classic with trendy and cheap Target accessories with her markdown Banana Republic duds. She can be reached at (813) 226-3337 or 
A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or 
I just scored a 140 dollar leather maxx new york bag for only 39 dollars!!!
Posted by: erica | August 13, 2008 at 10:17 PM
I just scored a 140 dollar leather maxx new york bag for only 39 dollars!!!
Posted by: erica | August 13, 2008 at 10:17 PM
I've seen Coach and Betsey Johnson bags at T.J. Maxx. They don't last long.
Posted by: Desiree | June 18, 2008 at 04:46 PM
I have long been a fan of this T.J. Maxx. It's also one of the few that still has a jewelry department.
Posted by: Deal Diva Nicole | June 18, 2008 at 12:31 PM