Cartier learned a costly lesson when a mistake on their website resulted in a pair of gold-and-diamond earrings being priced incorrectly due to a typo.
While casually scrolling through Instagram, a consumer in Mexico stumbled upon a post that showcased a pair of earrings at an unbelievably low price.
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According to the New York Times, a piece of jewelry that is typically priced at 237,000 pesos, or over $13,000, was mistakenly listed for sale for only 237 pesos, or approximately $13. It seems that Cartier made an error by omitting three zeros in the listing.
Rogelio Villarreal, a doctor from Mexico, admitted to breaking out in a cold sweat when he saw the incredibly low price, according to his post.
Clicking to purchase the earrings inadvertently initiated a months-long dispute between Villarreal and the luxury retailer, which even garnered attention from public figures.
Cartier initially attempted to cancel the order and offered Villarreal a bottle of champagne and a leather accessory as an apology for the inconvenience caused. However, Villarreal found this offer to be unsatisfactory and decided to escalate the matter by contacting Mexico’s federal consumer protection agency.
In an April 22 post, Villareal joyfully shared with the New York Times that Cartier had informed him of the fulfillment of his order. He exclaimed, “The war is over. Cartier is complying.”
CBS MoneyWatch’s request for comment went unanswered by Cartier. Similarly, Mexico’s federal consumer protection agency did not respond to the request for comment either.
Villarreal shared a photo of two neatly wrapped boxes adorned with Cartier’s iconic wax seal, signifying the safe delivery of the earrings. However, not everyone shared the same level of satisfaction as the buyer.
Mexican Senator Lilly Tรฉllez expressed her opinion on the matter, stating that she believed Villarreal should not have been allowed to keep the earrings just because of a mistake made by the retailer. In a post on X, the senator emphasized the importance of not being opportunistic and taking advantage of someone else’s error. She emphasized that it is crucial to prioritize integrity over material possessions, even if it means forgoing a pair of Cartier earrings.
