Rogelio Villarreal, a medical resident from Mexico, stumbled upon an unexpected windfall while browsing Cartier’s website. In a surprising pricing error, gold-and-diamond earrings were listed for 237 pesos (around $14), rather than their correct value of 237,000 pesos ($14,000). Seizing the opportunity, Villarreal promptly ordered two sets. "I broke out in a cold sweat when I saw the price," he shared on X, formerly Twitter.

What followed was a months-long struggle with Cartier, as the luxury jeweler tried to offer alternative compensation like champagne, instead of fulfilling the mistakenly priced order. Villarreal stood his ground and lodged a complaint with Mexico's consumer protection agency, Profeco, which supported his claim. After several months of negotiations, he finally received the earrings at the discounted price. He posted a video online of himself unboxing the earrings, but the public attention quickly became overwhelming. "Alright already, talk about something else. I’m tired of the earrings being the only thing anyone knows about my personality," he wrote on social media.

The case became a polarizing topic in Mexico, especially in the politically charged atmosphere before the presidential elections. Critics viewed Villarreal as opportunistic, suggesting he return the earrings or pay taxes on them. However, Villarreal, who describes himself as frequently unlucky, defended his actions. "I have the worst luck in the world, and I’ve never made any money," he said on social media. He ultimately gifted one set of earrings to his mother, pleased to have not been the underdog for once.

Jesús Montaño, a spokesman for Profeco, confirmed Villarreal's complaint was filed in December. He emphasized that companies must honor the prices they advertise, and if a mistake is made, "it’s not the consumer’s fault." The incident highlights the importance of consumer rights, even for global luxury brands like Cartier.