What are the 'real bargains' in St. Thomas/St. John?

[MSWint]

What should we be looking for in St. Thomas or St. John to get a great deal in comparison to prices in the U.S.? Is there anything in particular that we should not pass up?

I'm guessing that haggling is all part of the game, but give me your tips, things to look for, ideas to get the best deal possible for things that we just can't find in the U.S. ... or absolutely can not miss out on in St. Thomas or St. John.

Thanks!!

 

[mmouse37]

My suggestion would be if you are interested in a specific style or type of jewelry to price it out here in the states and then compare to what they have in St. Thomas....but I found nothing in the islands that made me want to buy it.....in fact the pearls I was interested in were the same brand and length and cheaper on QVC!!!

Many people purchase jewelry in St. Thomas....there are tons of jewelry shops and I prefer to buy stuff at home, unless I am looking for a island specific charm or something.

There are also tons of linen shops....with lace tablecloths, etc. People also tend to buy electronics on the island like cameras, lenses, etc. but I am leery if there is a problem it is pretty hard to get it resolved when they are so far away.

Alcohol is much cheaper in St. Thomas than at home and we usually bring a few bottle home with us.

MJ

 

[Sue Sullivan]

Rum, Rum and more Rum. It's about $6 a blootle in all kinds of flavors (coconut is the best). Also we got a bottle of Absolut Vodka for about $8.

 

[MSWint]

Alcohol is much cheaper in St. Thomas than at home and we usually bring a few bottle home with us.

MJ

Thanks for the 'Rum' suggestions mmouse37 and Sue Sullivan ... but my understanding was that you had to drink it all before you get back to the states ... not that it would be a problem

Can you really take any alcohol off the ship when you get back?

 

[Rence]

From my experience, readings, talking to friends etc. My impression is that you MAY get a good deal on something if you really know what you're doing.

My opinion is that all this talk about super-bargains is a lot of hype. I know too many people that bought something on a cruise, only to find out that they didn't get what they paid for or could have easily gotten in cheaper someplace else.

I was more interested in electronics and I had a number of items I was interested in. In almost every single case, I could buy the item cheaper back home at Best Buy. The most I could have saved was $10 or $20 on a few items (costing hundreds of dollars) and it wouldn't be worth it for me considering the potential for warranty hassles etc.

I know a couple of people who were able to buy jewelry for a good price, got it appraised back home and did in fact get a good deal, but they know their stuff, knew quality, prices etc.

If you don't know your stuff and are not up to date on prices, etc. I would personally not shop on the islands.

 

[castlegazer]

You can take rum back into the States - you have to declare it so save your receipts for everything you buy regardless of whether or not its alcohol. I have manya bottle o rum from St. Thomas. The shops will also ship it for you too.

My good deal was a Video Camera from Royal Caribbean (the store not the cruise line). We saved approximately $200.00 at the time.

Big ticket items are where you will see the savings and the savings can in some cases be big. Watches and Cameras are also a very good deal. I am skeptical on whether jewelry is always a good deal - its too touristy to buy it while there.

As I said, we went to Royal Caribbean in St. Thomas - right in Charlotte Amelie.

Go to the port talk on the ship and see what stores they lead you to - often times you can get some better deals elsewhere, but it gives you at least a starting point. I found that the talks focus way too heavily on jewelry - not something I am there for.

 

[castlegazer]

Oh and I second "knowing your stuff" - know exactly what you are looking for, know its price, know the prices for all models if its electronics because sometimes models are a little screwy down there, and ask around like you are doing for good recommendations for stores.

OH, and finally - haggle, haggle, haggle. We only got the savings we did on the video camera because of haggling. The asking price was no bargain.

 

[mmouse37]

Thanks for the 'Rum' suggestions mmouse37 and Sue Sullivan ... but my understanding was that you had to drink it all before you get back to the states ... not that it would be a problem

Can you really take any alcohol off the ship when you get back?__________________



You can definately bring bottles of alcohol off the ship with you back at home. You are allowed a certain amount duty free and then you pay duty on any additional bottles above and beyond....the limit is per person, not cabin so when we had 4 people in the cabin....that was technically a lot of booze we could take home, but it is heavy to carry and we limit to 1-3 bottles total.

What you might be thinking of is that you are not supposed to take half-empty bottles off the ship...so if you plan on enjoying a bottle in your cabin make sure you drink it all....if you plan on taking the bottle home with you, don't open it!!!

And not just rum is cheap...just about any brand of liquor found in the states is cheaper on the islands....and the stores usually box it up for you with a box with a handle for easier carrying.

Now, DCL does offer some good prices on some liquor that they sell in bottles onboard but you cannot take those bottles back to your room with you....they must stay at the shop and then they are delivered to your cabin the last night.

MJ

 

[barkley]

alcohol is def. a bargain. we stocked our entire home bar with premium liquors for the cost of maybe half a dozen bottles u.s. price. if you decide to bring back more than your allocation, don't worry-the duty is usualy less than couple of dollars (still may be 50% savings). cigarettes are also very cheap as compared to u.s. (again you are limited and exceeding causes you to pay duty).

if you know jewlery you can get good deals-def. haggle, leave the store and come back-haggle some more.

 

[MSWint]

Thanks all!!!

Bumping for more info.

 

[mackymaddyconnorsmom]

Where did you take the picture of your daughter at? It looks beautiful.

 

[ljql_5969]

Good info! Thanks!

 

[MSWint]

Where did you take the picture of your daughter at? It looks beautiful.

Thanksgiving Day 2004, Waikiki Beach. That's Diamond Head in the background.

Thanks!!!!

 

[gdulaney]

Four or five yrs ago, my husband bought me an anniversary band at Diamonds Intl in St Thomas. Fast forward two years and we visit the store looking for a John Hardy bracelet. I knew what I could spend and after hearing that we were return customers, they bent over backwards to help me find what I was looking for and in a price range that I could afford. We ended up getting a real bargain.

Got hubby a watch a Columbian Emeralds in St Martin. They do not bargain on watch prices, but if you buy something they can't bargain on...they are usually very receptive about bargaining on other items. For example, we got a good deal on his watch, but a GREAT deal on a pair of blue topaz earrings for me....and they threw in a cute dolphin necklace for free.

Got a really good deal on a digital camera in St Thomas...back when digital cameras were really expensive in the States. My husband had been pricing cameras and we knew exactly what that model retailed for....the store went as low as they were going to go, but then started throwing in various accessories (extra batteries, extra memory, carrying case, etc).

Crown Royal - the best price we've found is on the ship....

Rum, especially flavored rum, or brands that aren't available in the US.

Happy Shopping!
Ginny

 

[MSWint]

Thanks for the great info Ginny!!

 

[castlegazer]

.the store went as low as they were going to go, but then started throwing in various accessories (extra batteries, extra memory, carrying case, etc).

You know I completely forgot about this. Not only did they go low after haggling, we also got some very good extras thrown in for our video camera like a very good bigger battery, bag, tapes, etc.

You were also looking for suggestions for St. Maarten - rum in St. Maarten is awesome! All the stores give you free samples.