I have been in the Tiffany store at least 4 times in the last 2 weeks. While the SAs have been extremely nice and knowledgeable, I prefer the Cartier experience. Perhaps because it is smaller and a lot less people have Cartier, it is more special to me. JMO.
Tiffany vs. Cartier- why do you favor one over the other?
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I agree that Tiffany's customer service is way lacking and it varies completely store to store and customer to customer. I don't think the fact that they sell silver jewelry (which makes sense because Tiffany will always be known for their silver gifts and housewares) makes them downmarket per se, since Cartier is a different store with a different history. Design to designs, Cartier tends to be more ornate, traditional and European. Tiffany has the Jean S. lime which is pretty legit and VERY far from their $300 dog tag necklaces. I love Elsa Peretti (plan on registering for some of her home items), Frank Ghery, their Moderne collection for men and their new Garden collection with old mine cuts.
whoops! poor piggy communication strikes again! mea culpa! (>(oo)<)`
I wasn't trying to offer the sterling silver as standalone evidence of a masstige / aspirational luxury strategy. There's ample evidence of T&Co's shift downmarket in the last couple of decades, including, inter alia, sterling silver, as well as the range and distribution of T&Co's price points in general.
T&Co has many, many more items priced at the low end of the range than Cartier. For example, both websites allow users to search by price point, but T&Co's first 3 price categories are: $200 & Under, $500 & Under and $1,000 & Under; Cartier's are < $1,500, $1,500 - $3,000 and $3,000-$5,000
piggy concurs 100% - the proffering of liquid refreshments is also appreciated by thirsty piggies! b(^(oo)^)d
I prefer T & Co. because it's nostalgic for me.... comfortable, like my favorite foods and places. 
I also prefer the variety of designers at T & Co.
I also prefer the variety of designers at T & Co.My brand preference depends on the specific piece. I prefer Cartier for their watches and the love collection, and prefer Tiffany for their e-rings and everyday jewelry (somerset ring, elsa peretti necklaces). Cartier is certainly a more prestigous brand than Tiffany all around, but I actually prefer the simplicity of Tiffany designs. I have to say that I find the staff at Cartier to be a bit snooty. Although Tiffany stores are full of tourists (at least the 5th Ave one), which can be annoying, the salespeople are much friendlier. One thing that I can't stand about Cartier is that they don't have a good return policy (can only return for store credit or exchange), which is a huge turnoff for me. Even if I don't plan on returning something, I like to have the option for piece of mind.
Tiffanys brand has been watered down with all of their silver pieces so the masses can afford it.
But they've always carried silver? That was the whole deal with Tiffany's... Besides their engagement rings and diamond quality, Tiffany's is known for their silver flatware (my grandmother has a full set from the 1920s, that hopefully I will inherit), china patterns/home wares and other gifts. Tiffany's has always been a gift shop... which is why they carry gifts at different price points from luggage tags to multi-million dollar diamond jewelry. That's what I meant previously when I said that they are really two different businesses with different histories.
Cartier has never marketed itself as the kind of store one does their wedding registry at or one where someone would buy multiple gifts. Cartier's business is way more personal. Usually anything purchased at Cartier is for oneself or for a very, very close individual. A Cartier watch has always been a Cartier watch. If you browse through higher-end retail shops, you'll notice lots of "for Tiffany & Co." pieces like "Rolex for Tiffany & Co." Cartier is a jewelry store. Tiffany is more of a general store, but you know that anything you buy there is the best quality. Apples and oranges!
which is why i prefer to purchase my jewelry at Cartier, and for my DBF to do so as well (^(oo)^)v