What Makes It Better?

Sometimes I just don't understand designer prices.  In business school, I learned about supply and demand and how prices are adjusted accordingly...but for the life of me, I just can't think of any situation that would constitute a demand large enough, or a supply small enough for some of the designer prices I have seen lately!

Check out some of these comparisons:

This designer garden stool, shown here with the lovely Drew Barrymore, comes in at a whopping $195.00.

...but this regular ol' garden stool, found in a window shopping adventure at Ross is only $49.99.  I love you Ms. Barrymore, but you're going to have to stop posing by my home accessories if it's going to have that much of an impact on the price!

Here's another:

These designer make-up boxes carry a price tag of $275.00 for the full set of three...

...but these, found at TJ Maxx, are only $20.00.  That means you can get a set of three for sixty bucks (which I think is still a bit high, but definitely better than $275.00).

Or what about this $595.00 wall mirror...

...compared to this $139.00 wall mirror from ZGallerie?

Now, I will admit that I personally like the designer mirror better...but hundreds of dollars better?  Not hardly!  As far as design elements are concerned, each would provide texture, dimension, and light to the space--but only one will leave enough money in the bank to buy two!

Perhaps I'm missing something here.  Maybe there's something my little eyes don't see.  However, until they do see, I'm sticking to the cheaper finds.  Anyone with me?  Have any of you found some great products that are practically identical to the designer brand, but cost much less?  Please share!