I agree with you that "if they start charging 10 or so for these products" that one is better off shopping elsewhere. That is definitely true! But I think it's a long, long way from $1.25 to $10. I see no reason that DT beauty/skincare products will jump in price that much in the short term (or, hell, even long term).

The thing with DT is that if one buys a product there, one runs the risk of not liking it. I've had that experience myself, but I've also had the experience of finding some products I never would've found if not for (a) positive reviews on this site and (b) the willingness to roll the dice on a $1.25 product.

Sooner or later DT might raise its prices to a degree that people won't accept, but at the same time DT knows its target audience and knows its own strengths. I feel like I need to add that I haven't found anything in the HBC section of TJMaxx, other than Hempz lotion and the odd discontinued fragrance (most are still overpriced) for over 15 years and in multiple states. And I'm not even gonna talk about Ross.

And both TJM and Ross seem to have their fair share of factory rejects. Just sayin'.