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Yes, shopping is on the list - as one of the most popular things to do while vacationing on many of the Caribbean islands...
St. Thomas is a popular destination in which to shop, as they claim it's Duty Free! Not really, as jewelry that arrives into St. Thomas (for sale in the endless stream of jewelry stores) has been taxed upon arrival into St. Thomas. So, while everyone advertises Duty Free "this" and Duty free "that" - the simple fact is that the tax has been passed through to you!
St. Maarten is an interesting place for shopping as well. However, the price of finished diamond jewelry in St. Maarten can vary from one store to another (even if that store is one of three stores - all owned by the same company). Go to store number one - get one price and then go to store number two and the price may be 50% higher for the same item as store number one. Go to store number three and the price may be 100% more than at store number one and two!
This practice is known as "hit and miss" sales tactics...
What makes it even more confusing is that many of the jewelry stores in St. Maarten have different names and unless you have the time to dig deep into the identity of the parent corporation (the owner), you would never even know that store number three - owns store number one and two.
If you arrive to St. Maarten on a cruise ship, you're there to see the sights, go to the beach, have a nice lunch and shop. However, shopping for jewelry might be the one activity you may consider leaving off of your list of things to do.
First, if you arrived on a cruise ship, you're there for a limited number of hours. There's very little time for comparison shopping. Second, if you buy an item, get home and find out you overpaid for the item - what is your recourse?
There is very little protection for the buyer of gems and jewelry in the Caribbean. Once you've bought an item, you bought it. The range of excuses of the seller to NOT take the item back may be varied. Here are just a few of the reasons you may be told by the seller, as to why the item may not be returned.
- How do I know that what you'll send me back is what I sold to you?
- We offer a store credit however, we do not offer refunds.
- We gave you an appraisal with the item and the item is appraised for more than what you paid!
These are just three of the reasons why you might not be able to get a refund. Let's look at the reasoning behind the answers:
How do I know that what you'll send me back is what I sold to you?
This is one of the best excuses for not taking the item back! If you purchased a 10 carat diamond tennis necklace then the seller may make this statement to you.
You purchased the item (outside of the United States) got back on a ship, cruised back to U.S., went through Customs, paid Duty, got home, went to your local jeweler and he told you that the diamonds were I-1's as opposed to SI-1's.
You contact the jeweler in the Caribbean and he states "How do I know that what you'll send me back is what I sold to you?".
Essentially, the seller in Caribbean can claim that the diamonds you received were SI-1's and now you're claiming that the diamonds were graded as I-1's. The seller may possibly claim that diamonds were switched out.
We offer a store credit however, we do not offer refunds...
This is probably the most utilized excuse to not offer a refund. The seller (in this case) has compromised. He has offered a 100% store credit! However, you have to go back to the store to complete the transaction (and the likelihood of you getting on a plane in California and connecting through three flights - to get a Caribbean island - is highly unlikely).
The seller knows that there's more than a chance that you will opt to keep the item, as you won't travel back anytime soon. However, he might also state "next time you're here, bring the piece back to us and you can upgrade the item through a store credit." Another compromise and the potential of another sale!
We gave you an appraisal with the item and the sale was final...
Yes, you received an appraisal however, according to your state side jeweler - you overpaid for the 10 carat diamond necklace by $4,000.00. The seller may then state "appraisals are subjective and are just opinions. Read the terms and conditions of your appraisal and you'll find that we state as much on the appraisal."
Appraisals are a funny thing. They are simply opinions (as to value) and may be based upon estimated retail value and not actual replacement value. However, what's worse is if the appraisal was provided by the jewelry store that sold you the item!
Never, ever, accept appraisals from jewelry stores which offer "in-house" appraisals as the appraiser works for the seller - NOT for you!
The cruise ship lines want YOU to feel comfortable when purchasing jewelry. They offer "port of call" lectures and direct YOU to jewelry stores they endorse as "trusted" merchants.
You've seen the signs in front of these jewelry stores - touting the name of the ship you're on and welcoming you with open arms...
In addition, you may have been provided with a map, which lists all of the cruise ship "trusted" and/or "recommended" jewelry merchants.
Now, do you think the cruise lines are just being "Good Samaritans" recommending merchants who they simply "trust" and passing on this vital information to you?
No. The cruise line is NOT the one making the recommendation, it's the on board "port shopping guide/lecturer" making these recommendations. Remember, the cruise lines protect their "brand" at all times. Shops on board a cruise ship are leased to a Duty Free provider and the sales people in these shops are NOT employed by the cruise lines.
The cruise lines are always "one-removed" away from the actual sale...
While they (port shopping guides) appear to work for the cruise line (as they have a name badge with the name of cruise ship and a title) they more than likely do NOT work directly for the cruise line. They work for a company (as a contractor), which attempts to control and/or steer you to specific stores on land (in the various ports of call).
In exchange for your trust, you'll receive a "guarantee" which states that you can return the item for various reasons except for "Buyer's Remorse". In exchange for the port shopping guide sending you into a recommended store, the port shopping guide company receives a percentage of every sale generated by the recommended merchant.
Here's the rub...
The only way for the port shopping referral company to ensure compliance (on behalf of the seller/merchant - to collect their percentage of the sale) is to get the passenger to complete a form, which activates the "guarantee". This in turn, acts as an inventory control system for off-ship sales. This process ensures that the cruise ship port of call shopping guide company gets paid.
The system (while not complex) ensures compliance of both the seller and buyer. In addition, the jewelry store not only pays a percentage to the port shopping guide company but, also pays (in many cases) a fee for inclusion in the port shopping guide.
However, if you purchased an item from a jewelry store, which was NOT recommended by the port shopping guide - you're on your own! Does this mean that the mom and pop jewelry stores (which are NOT a recommended merchant) should not be trusted? No. In fact, the deals at the mom and pop stores are more reasonable, as they're NOT paying to be included in the port shopping guide and/or paying a commission on every sale.
This is how this business operates - plain and simple! No one knows just how many items are ever returned (under the guarantee) offered by cruise ship port shopping guide organizations. The number is unkown.
Is it wrong? You be the judge! If you don't buy it on the ship, you'll be referred to a store on land. Remember, you are in a venue which is known as a "captured audience".
The best bit of advice is to NOT to buy jewelry on Caribbean islands. In fact, if you just have to buy something "anything" to remember your trip (and you really want to buy that 10 carat diamond tennis necklace in the window) go to an internet cafe on the island, spend a few dollars for net time and do a search on eBay to compare prices!
Other guides relating to jewelry and gemstone buying which you may find helpful are as follows:
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