Rogelio Villarreal was surfing the internet when he saw a pair of Cartier diamond-encrusted earrings priced at 237 Mexican pesos, or about $13.
“I swear, I sweat cold,” Villarreal, a resident of Mexico, wrote on X.
He had seen other Cartier jewelry online, with more typical Cartier prices. “I was amazed at what the necklaces cost, and I said ‘someday,’ until I saw the earrings,” his X post said.
According to The New York Times, the earrings were supposed to be priced at 237,000 pesos (about $13,000). Villarreal knew a deal when he saw one, and bought two pairs.
The luxury jeweler quickly realized its error, and changed the price online. It also tried to cancel Villarreal’s order, telling him it would send a complimentary bottle of Cartier Cuvée champagne and a leather item as “compensation,” the Times reported.
But Villarreal didn’t back down, and he filed a complaint with Mexico’s consumer protection agency, citing a law that said retailers must abide by stated terms and conditions.
Eventually, after the incident received a great deal of press coverage, Cartier decided to honor the posted price.
“War is over,” Villarreal declared on X, “Cartier is delivering.” Later, he proudly displayed his bargain jewelry on social media.
He also noted that at least one other buyer also snagged the deal, but that person has chosen to remain anonymous. He said he hoped no one got fired for the mistake.
“I’m excited,” he told the Times, “especially for my mom. Those earrings are for her.”
Still, while most were happy with the outcome—and cluttered his feed with cheering GIFs—others didn’t think what he did was right.
“Owning a piece of Cartier jewelry should be a symbol of virtue and an affirmation of self-esteem, not a symbol of theft or a reminder of shame,” wrote a user on X.
Cartier did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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