Luxury Jewelry Maker Cartier Makes Mistake, Man Benefits from $14,000 Set for Just $14
A Lucky Break for a Mexican Doctor
Rogelio Villarreal was browsing through Cartier’s website in his free time when he stumbled upon an offer that seemed too good to be true. The luxury jewelry maker was selling a pair of gold-and-diamond earrings for 237 pesos, which is approximately $14. However, the correct price of the earrings was 237,000 pesos, or $14,000.
A Misstep Followed by Months of Negotiation
Villarreal ordered two sets of the earrings, and what followed was a months-long negotiation with Cartier. The company initially offered him a consolation prize instead of the jewelry, and the Mexican government supported Villarreal’s claim that the company should honor the advertised price. After months of back-and-forth, Villarreal finally received the earrings at the reduced price.
A Priceless Gift for His Mother
Villarreal, a doctor doing his medical residency, has made the most of his good fortune. He gave one of the sets of earrings to his mother and posted a video of himself unboxing the merchandise online. However, he soon grew tired of the public attention and asked to move on, saying, "Alright already, talk about something else, I’m tired of the earrings being the only thing anyone knows about my personality."
Online Sensation in a Polarized Time in Mexico
Villarreal’s case became a lightning rod in Mexico ahead of its June 2 presidential elections. Some online users criticized him for taking advantage of Cartier’s mistake, while others claimed he should give the earrings back or pay taxes on them. Villarreal maintained that he was simply fighting for his rights as a consumer and that he never expected to make a profit from the mistake.
A Victory for Consumer Rights
Jesús Montaño, the spokesman for Mexico’s consumer protection agency, Profeco, confirmed Villarreal’s account and emphasized that companies must respect the prices they publish. Montaño stated, "If there’s a mistake, it’s not the consumer’s fault. Companies have to honor the published price." Villarreal’s case has set a precedent for consumer rights in Mexico, and his story has left many wondering if he is simply a lucky individual or a champion of consumer protection.
FAQs
- Q: Did Cartier agree to honor the advertised price?
A: Yes, Cartier eventually agreed to honor the advertised price of 237 pesos ($14) for the gold-and-diamond earrings. - Q: Did Villarreal profit from the mistake?
A: Yes, Villarreal profited from the mistake by paying just $28 for two $14,000 sets of earrings. - Q: Did Villarreal give the earrings away?
A: Yes, Villarreal gave one of the sets of earrings to his mother.
