Any friends left?

[Princess49]

OH BOY-- I guess I just posted my first ever controversial thread-
(see: I'm pretty angry.)
I feel beat up literally - normally everyone is so nice here & I can't believe how quick people were to pass judgement & make some truly obnoxious statements- am I to be black listed from the cruise boards simply for telling the people that I ALWAYS tell how I'm feeling?!?!? I guess I just consider the disboards my big group of friends that I can tell anything to. Well, I learned my lesson the hard way. I'm back to asking & answering questions- nothing personal anymore.

If there's ANYONE LEFT TALKING TO ME!!!! I have a question-

It's about customs. I just don't get it. I went to the site that passporter tells you to go to & I read everything but it doesn't make much sense to me. I understand that between the two of us(it says people living in the same household) we can bring back $1600 duty free. I get that part- what about after the $1600? My bf is planning on buying a suit in the bahamas & possibly a watch. I'm not sure how much suits are but I know the watch will be more than $1600- how much do we have to pay in duties? I bought the REAS package- do we have to claim what is in the gift basket? Even though it has already been paid for? I read on that site that I have to have proof that we bought our camera here & not in the bahamas or they will make us pay duties? I guess I just want to know how much I'm going to have to pay at customs- if the prices are great but you have to pay a lot in customs it might be easier to just buy it at home.... HELP!!! I am SO clueless!! Thanks for helping out... & please don't start yelling at me I don't think I can take much more.

 

[Grumbo]

Is that your Boyfriend or "mate"???

Not up on U.S. Custom's rules so can't help you but let any negative comments on here be like water of a duck's back. We all get a bit carried away at times but with a few exceptions everyone here is decent.
Those couple that aren't go onto an ignore list (However that is a pain as you always want to read what codswallop these folks have spouted this time so you read it anyway )

Keep posting and don't give it a second thought. Even a third!!

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[crisi]

That's because duty rates aren't flat. The suit will be charged a different duty than the watch. The watch will be charged a different duty if its Swiss than if its Japanese. According to the customs site, the book that determines what the duty is is the size of a phone book.

You do need cash to pay your duty.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

I can't answer your Customs question either, but just felt i had to respond to your post. I understand how you feel, I often keep my thoughts to myself because I don't want to be attacked. I love this site & realize that in general people are very friendly here, but others find it so easy to criticize, instead of keeping quiet. I try to always remember that golden rule! If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all! I'm sorry you got hurt, but please don't let that stop you from posting. Just my .02 cents! Kathy

 

[Princess49]

Thanks Grumbo- perhaps now I can peel myself up off the floor- my bf(mate LOL) couldn't believe how upset I was at all the negative comments becuase he always hears me rave about the boards! I appriciate the encouragement- I can live another day


crisi- thanks for the info- are duties expensive- do you know any ball parks, like the most you'll pay or the least depending on what it is- I expect our purchases to be by italian designers but I'm not sure if they manufacture in italy. Ok so say a gucci suit & a gucci or fendi purse- Any ideas?? Just trying to see if I'm about to get in over my head!! Thanks again!!!

 

[Princess49]

thanks to you too nuts4sn00py-- you must have posted at the same time I was- I just saw you when I looked at my own response- I appriciate your responding- I needed a little boost! Thanks again!

 

[kcashner]

Duties are dependent on what you buy. No, you do not have to list the REAS package or the gift that comes with it (technically, that was bought in the US thru DCL). WHat you do need to list is anything you bought outside of the US. The allowances depend on where you travel, as things bought in the US Virgin Islands are different than things bought in other countries, things bought in Key West are duty free (bought in US), etc.

Different items have different amounts of duty. Loose stones are much less than set jewelry, etc. The initial allowance is duty free. It doesn't matter what it is, only the $ amount. There is also a specific limit on some things like alcohol and tobacco. Duties on some items are as much as 30% of purchase price (save all your receipts). Other items are 10-12%. The key here is to include the highest items in your "duty free" allowance, then pay the lower rates on the other things.

You can consult the customs dept. on line or by phone for specifics.

 

[crisi]

Other things have duty by weight. Its all very odd and very very complex. So, no, I can't give you a ballpark.

Do keep in mind that other countries are even less inclined to chased counterfeiters than the U.S. There is a good chance that your Gucci purse won't be Gucci at all.

 

[Princess49]

While I understand that getting knock offs is a problem- on bay Street there is an actual Gucci store- it is listed as a store by Gucci - so it couldn't carry fake merchandise- that would be like the Gucci store in Manhattan carrying fake merchandise- though I do appriciate your concern! I know people say the prices are great there but I don't want to end up paying double that in duties!

 

[EmmasGrammy]

princess49,

I haven't been on line for a few days (working, yuck!!) and I can't answer your duty question, but I did want you to know I'm still your friend. I understand your previous question. I don't understand the bashing. Let's use this forum to help one another. I have learned alot from the questions you ask, and I enjoy your imput. Thanks for participation!

Can't we all just get along?

 

[mmouse37]

Princess...you should really not feel beat up.....of course you can vent.....people, myself included, just expressed their take on the situation. No harm was meant and of course you still have friends on the Dis.

I for one, am truly sorry you took it so hard.


MJ

 

[Princess49]

Emma's Grammy, I feel like you are always there for me!! Thanks so much! I just want to hug you! Thanks!

 

[staceymerrill]

 

[DreaminDisney]

Hi Princess..... I just want to say..... I'm still your friend!! -Debbie

 

[wenabre]

Hello Princess 49,
Don't think that you are going to lose friends on the Dis just because other people have their opinions as well.
My DD had to wait to swim in the adult pool and eat at Palo. I remember one cruise, while swimming late at night by myself in the adult pool, suggesting that she pop in with me and she said she just didn't feel right to do it when others could not. I also remember another cruise seeing and hearing a couple of adults screaming at the top of their lungs at staff at the guest services counter about their 'neat 16&17 year olds' who couldn't go to Palo. I know you think it may not be a fair rule, but I think what some people were trying to get accross was that if its a rule, its a rule. I don't think anyone meant to hurt your feelings at all. Also as a suggestion maybe next time you start a post don't say how angry you are and how peeved off, it sounds like no matter what people say, you wouldn't listen, try stating that you are disappointed and how let down you feel. Also if you feel strongly about this why not write DCL and suggest a game of similiar type for unmarried couples. I have written posts and people have disagreed with me and I just try to take with a grain of (sea) salt and let it go. Hope you have a great time when you sail.
Wenabre

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Keep posting Princess49!

You'll find that for the most part the 'regulars' on the board are very passionate and defensive when it comes to anything DCL -- we *love* it that much! Don't take offense or feel bad...you only asked a question and there's nothing wrong with that!

 

[twhipple]

Princess, I didn't reply to any of the threads you had but notices them and thought to myself "boy, she's setting herself up for some disappointment". I've never been to the match your mates, though I wanted to, so I couldn't answer that one, but I know I'd love to get picked for Who wants to be a Mouseketeer or other events, but my happiness on the cruise won't depend on that. Also, an upgrade would be nice, but I've never expected one. I stayed in a suite on Royal Caribbean that was the size of the inside of my catagory 7 (or 8, 9, or 10 for that matter). If I ever get an upgrade, I would be so happy, but the happiness I have on the cruise will not be measured by my cabin upgrade or lack thereof. My first Disney cruise was the best and worst vacation of my life. I had to get off in St. Thomas to try to get home to see my dad one last time before he died. I didn't make it, but we immediately booked again with Disney. There is so much on board to enjoy and be happy about so don't set yourself up for disappointments. Just look forward to the good. I freaked out a little bit on the last cruise when DH's tux wasn't there when we first went into our room because it had been the year before, but it showed up and we were told if it didn't, Disney would help us out. I got seasick the first night of our last cruise and was upset that I would miss my favorite dessert in Lumiere's, creme brulee, but Disney worked it out (they served it to us on Thursday by special request and sent one back to my cabin so I could have it for breakfast on Sunday).

You weren't going to lose me as a friend, you just got me more concerned about you having a good time on your cruise.

I can't help you with the custom allowances, but just see what happens, you may be surprised at the prices you pay and may not have to worry about the duty at all. As I recall, the duty wasn't that bad. Maybe talk to the shopping expert onboard before you go ashore to see what they recommend. If the duty will cost too much, the suit or watch may not be such a good deal afterall (cost of suit + duty = more than in the US).

Good luck and try to look forward to all the fun you will have and try not to set your expectations so high as to leave you open for a disappointment.

Tracy

 

[makaylee]

Princess, I just wanted to give you a hug and say I'll always be your friend and if you ever have any questions I can answer I'm here for you.

 

[Princess49]

OK, ok- I am NOT turing this into another debate- I appriciate the support & I certainly never would have posted not wanting to hear others opinions- however I never expected the opinions to be about my marital status- it was about the game- I don't feel that my original post was nasty or anything & I stated everything I was feeling- I mentioned it in THIS one because I felt I was attacked & I really don't think that anyone should have to feel that way. Unless they attack someone else in a nasty manner. I JUST WANT IT TO BE OVER, as I said I learned my lesson. & tracey, please don't feel that I will base my whole cruise on a game! I never would- I am sorry about your first cruise & glad that the other ones were better.

Thanks for the hugs makaylee- whenever we talk I wonder what you look like since the picture there is of your husband & daughter- both of whom are adorable!!!(just had to tell you that) but I needed the hug- I probably will for a while- I am debating whether when I get back I truly WANT to put a picture up from my cruise because then people will see me & say SHE is the one who started it!! No, I will post my picture with my chin held high! Thanks again for the positive feedback!

 

[makaylee]

Originally posted by Princess49

No, I will post my picture with my chin held high! Thanks again for the positive feedback!

You do that Princess! As for a pic of me, I had a really hard time posting the one I have. Verandah Man had to help me. Im totaly computer illiterate. LOL When my hubby comes home for his visit from Korea in a couple months I'll have him post one of all three of us. I was able to get one on the DIS photo gallery, so you can go look there if you want. Oh, thanks for the complement to my hubby and daughter, aren't they cute though.