Buying Apple Watch in St. Maarten?

[mylolo1117]

Does anyone know if we would be able to buy the Apple Watch in St Maarten? Or San Juan? We are going on the fantasy at the end of April-day after the watch comes out. Wondering if we could hope to buy it duty free? Thanks!

 

[perditax]

It's only being rolled out in nine countries on launch day. It's hard for me to picture them getting it to Carribean islands that fast. But maybe someone here has specific experience with shopping for launches of new Apple products in the Carribean at launch time.

 

[NYIceQueen]

I can only speak to Puerto Rico (San Juan).

Keep in mind that PR is part of the U.S. In the old days when I was little there was a delay while things got there, but now for the most part, whenever something is released in the "States", it's usually released in PR at the same time. As for duty free, I have no idea if they sell things like this as "Duty free". There is a 6% "state" sales tax and a variable but up to 1% municipal tax (think county taxes here in the US). This is since 2006 - before that there wasn't a sales tax.

As for where to get the product - PR has all the same major stores - Best Buy, Walmart, Sears, etc. The Best Buy is at Plaza de las Americas, which is about 5.5 miles from the Sheraton in Old San Juan, so it's certainly makeable for shopping. There's a Sears there, too, along with smaller electronics shops. I like to stick with bigger name stores, though, because they'll honor any warranty or exchange/returns you may have

 

[erionm]

At launch (4/24), the Apple Watch will only be available in the following countries:
Australia
Canada
China
France
Germany
Hong Kong
Japan
UK
US

 

[mylolo1117]

So, since half of St. Martin is "French", it may possibly be available there?

 

[hrhdhd]

I don't know about this product in particular, but be aware that some items purchased in another country will have the warranty (or not) based on the country in which is was purchased. I bought a Canon camera in Spain once because the one I was traveling with broke, and the warranty for the new camera was not valid for replacement/repairs in the U.S.

Even if the Apple watch is available in St. Maarten, I wouldn't buy it there.

 

[perditax]

While admitting I have some ignorance about shopping in the Carribean, I'm very familiar with Apple product launches and I'd be kind of shocked if they show up there the day after launch, especially since there doesn't seem to be a full-fledged Apple Store there. Unless we're talking about some gray market thing. I know knock-offs from Asia are definitely circulating.

The closest real corollary would be the iPad in 2010 (last compeletely "new" product line), maybe someone can tell us their experience shopping for one at launch. Another more recent comparison would be the iPhone 6+.

But by all means if you're able to score one please report back and let us know.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Even if the Apple watch is available in St. Maarten, I wouldn't buy it there.

That's how I feel. If I'm buying any high cost item, I purchase it from a location that I can deal with easily when I'm at home. I don't think the family finances could handle a "I need to return XXX item" as a reason for a cruise.

 

[MUN]

That's how I feel. If I'm buying any high cost item, I purchase it from a location that I can deal with easily when I'm at home. I don't think the family finances could handle a "I need to return XXX item" as a reason for a cruise.

Unless you're buying the $10K Apple Watch, I think their costs are very reasonable. I'm not sure I would call them a high cost item.

 

[over50visits]

Does anyone know if we would be able to buy the Apple Watch in St Maarten? Or San Juan? We are going on the fantasy at the end of April-day after the watch comes out. Wondering if we could hope to buy it duty free? Thanks!

Apple has announced a very few high-end sales locations for their Apple Edition Watch located in fancy stores in a few cities. Other than that, the only place they have advertised Apple Watches available are in company Apple Stores.

Neither San Juan nor Saint Martin have Apple Stores. They both have Apple resellers (check out the iStore on Front Street in Sint Maarten), but they aren't advertised as having the Apple Watch in stock on release date. So, looks like you're out of luck there!

Of course you could log onto the Apple Store using the ship internet and purchase one

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Unless you're buying the $10K Apple Watch, I think their costs are very reasonable. I'm not sure I would call them a high cost item.

Well, in my bank account anything over $30 is "high cost" for a watch.

 

[over50visits]

Unless you're buying the $10K Apple Watch, I think their costs are very reasonable. I'm not sure I would call them a high cost item.

I agree! Unfortunately, due to the name, some people think of it as a "watch" and judge the price based on that. Of course it is really a wrist-worn computer, and is filled with apps, sensors and electronics. Many folks, such as those who are into fitness, or into lots of texts and emails every day, will likely find it a reasonable price (at the entry level) in exchange for its capabilities. On the ships, for example, if you use the jogging deck or the exercise room you have a high capability wrist worn device to monitor, record, and advise exercise levels.

 

[perditax]

I'm a giant tech nerd, and probably one of the bigger Apple fangirls on the board. I will be ordering an Apple Watch as soon as pre-orders go live.

...but even at entry level ($349) that's a purchase I wouldn't take lightly. Nor I would I presume to comment on what others consider to be "high-cost".

And I don't think anyone was commenting on the value of the watch, just the price tag in relation to buying it overseas.

 

[tinkerone]

I looked into buying an ipad on one cruise and was told that I would not be able to register it in Canada. did they only mean the warranty? I took it to mean loading anything but I could have not paid as much attention as I should have to what the sales person was saying.
I want a apple watch as well but I want to make sure I can use it properly. i'll be paying close attention to this.

 

[perditax]

I looked into buying an ipad on one cruise and was told that I would not be able to register it in Canada. did they only mean the warranty? I took it to mean loading anything but I could have not paid as much attention as I should have to what the sales person was saying.
I want a apple watch as well but I want to make sure I can use it properly. i'll be paying close attention to this.

I honestly have no idea. And usually I don't reply to a post when that's all I have to say, but I'm intrigued. I would have thought Apple honored warranties internationally unless the item was stolen. Is it possible it was a unit with Internet (cellular) service built in and they didn't think you would be able to find a compatible cellular provider in Ca?

 

[tinkerone]

I honestly have no idea. And usually I don't reply to a post when that's all I have to say, but I'm intrigued. I would have thought Apple honored warranties internationally unless the item was stolen. Is it possible it was a unit with Internet (cellular) service built in and they didn't think you would be able to find a compatible cellular provider in Ca?

that could very well be. to be honest, all I heard was no it will not work for you and shut down right after that. i have not since then looked at anything that requires warranties, internet or cellular. better safe than sorry. i'm not tech savy enough.

 

[NYIceQueen]

I don't know about this product in particular, but be aware that some items purchased in another country will have the warranty (or not) based on the country in which is was purchased. I bought a Canon camera in Spain once because the one I was traveling with broke, and the warranty for the new camera was not valid for replacement/repairs in the U.S.

Even if the Apple watch is available in St. Maarten, I wouldn't buy it there.

Which is why I'd suggest (no bias here) that if the OP is going to purchase this during the cruise, that they get it in PR. As a US Commonwealth, you're absolutely covered under the US warranty...and if OP gets it at a chain store like Best Buy, any Best Buy in the US will honor any exchanges or any problems with the product. I understand they were looking for Duty-Free, so I honestly don't know if a duty-free shop would carry such an item. However, it would still stand that the purchase is being made on US property, so would be covered under any US warranty rules/regulations - you would probably just have to deal with Apple directly for any issues with the product