There is very little shopping on St John and it is far more civilized than St Thomas and haggeling is mostly in poor taste. In places like RI Patton, I'd say NO haggeling. When I bought there, the sales woman went through the small supply of Italian chains that I wanted till she found the one with the lowest price. They price based on purchase $ which is pegged to gold price. Much of what they sell is custom stuff. A few of the little shops in Warfside Village may offer something, but again, this isn't STT. I think you'll be able to tell what few stores it might be possible to discuss discounts in, but be really careful not to insult folks in the better shops where haggeling isn't really done. I find chatting with them about gemstones, designers, styles, and other info gets them to show me their best buys. In short, treat them well, be a knowledgable buyer who knows what's good, and be friendly and open about what you want, and you'll get the best available. The Cadrow's and Little Switzerland's have left STJ. Different kind of people go there.

"The Cadrow's and Little Switzerland's have left STJ. Different kind of people go there."

I'm not a jewelry shopper, but I am curious to know what kind of people go to Cadrow's [sic] or Little Switzerland. Should I decide to buy jewelry I would hate to go to an inappropriate shop for the specific "kind" of person that I might be.

Thanks,

Gerie

Shopping is such a mystery to me. Seems there's so much I don't understand about it. Where to even begin?

No insult intended. Different mind set, not a value judgement in any way. The shops on STJ are not like the larger chain type stores on STT. And I've haggled in places like Hong Hong and Egypt where it's part of the sport of buying. Sorry again if think I meant an insult as none was intended.

I wonder if this means that the deals on STJ are not as good as the deals on STT. Thus, one might want to ferry over to STT if one is really interested in securing the best deal.

If I buy jewelry in the VI, it's not because I just love to shop on vacation, it's because I think I can get a great deal....and if haggling is part of it, STT might be a better option.

OK, so I shop in STT. Is haggling in the "big name " jewelry stores like Cardow or Little Switzerland done. If so I would rather haggle than pay full price. Are there other high quality Jewelry stores in the area that do haggle?

Seems I have inadvertently touched a nerve here. Sorry about that. Actually, Bluwater, you are correct if you are shopping for watches, electronics and a lot of other types of goods STT is the place to do it. Though in all truth, I can get better deals on everythng from cameras to watches on the internet - from reputable dealers, including places like ShopNBC! I have said before and will repeat it here, enjoy shopping in the VI's and you'll get a good price, but not necessairly the absolute best price. Duty Free means no taxes, not best possible price. As mentioned by folks in other threads, do your research on what you want, be it a digital camera or a Rolex Oyster, and be comfortable with the price you're paying. Buy it because you like it. (The best buy, bar none, remains liquor.)

STJ is just too small to compete with sales volumes that masses of cruise ship passengers generate as they spend millions of dollars on merchendise in the stores on STT. In many shops on STJ you may well be talking to the owner, who is also the designer of the piece you're looking at. Or they know the designer and if you want something similar, you can get it custom made. It's different. Not better, not anything except different. The way Macy's is different from the tailor down the street.

If people are reading some sort of value judgement into this, i'm sorry, as there simply isn't any being made by me.

And as to haggeling - "Haggeling" is a tradition in many countries and prices are set with the understanding that the buyer is aware that isn't the 'real' price. Just how this 'haggeling' is done and the % reduction to expect varies by country. And what is correct in one country is an major insult in another. When someone asks what % to expect to 'haggle' down to, I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that they are referring to the 'rules of engagement' for the area.

Thanks earlybrass for the reply. I intend to buy something on STT just for the fun of it , to remember the trip by. I just want to know if haggling is done in STT so that I can get the best price possible. If not, I will pay the list price. I am just trying to find out the rules of engagement in STT island.

I'm almost afraid to answer this, but here goes. Watches, good ones, are usually 20% off list. Closeouts - you may be do a bit better - up to a max of 30% Cash can get you an additional 1-3%, providing you carry that kind of money. (Cash usually gives you a break on all kinds of expensive items.)

Jewelry - gold is directly pegged to bullion price. Gold prices are quoted on troy oz. One troy oz = 31.1 gms. Get the weight of the piece and work from there. A very good price is 3-4 times the value of the gold content. Electroformed is higher as are a few of the mesh and other special processes.

For gemstone jewelry is a lot more complicated, buy at the moment, Tanzanite is running rather high for the available quality, so you may want to pass. If you don't know the stateside pricing for items of similar quality/type, you'll have a tough time knowing when you're getting a good price. Buy what you like best.

When you start getting serious about a piece, ask if they can do any better on the price. And don't be afraid to walk away.

Do go to the shops in STJ. RI Patton is my favorite and they have some great sealife pieces done in enamel. I have several. Haven't found them overpriced, (but not inexpensive), and they're great reminders of STJ.

Do you all really think of Cardow as a chain? They have just a few stores on STT. Little Switzerland is different. But, really , I don't think Cardow is similar to Macy's. I think they're a very successful jewelry with a wildly popular following.....nothing wrong with that. They do negotiate the price.

I did have a poor experience with them on outr most recent trip. I went in to buy some items (earrings and a watch) for my daughter and couldn't get anyone to help (they weren't that busy, but the salesladies seemed overwhelmend with the demanding attitudes of the few customers inside). We left feeling like they didn't have the right salespeople in there to handle their demanding clients and new clients just walking in. We were never acknowledges, though we were clearly waiting at the counter. We walked down the street to another large jeweler and made the purchases.

Earlybrass - Regarding watches, avoid, at ALL COSTS,purchasing one on the internet. Even if the watch turns out to be REAL (The majority are fakes), the manufacturer will NOT warranty it for ANY reason (they won't even change the battery for you), unless you purchase it from an "Authorized Distributor". Of the 570 Swiss watch companies, not ONE has a distributor that sells on the intertnet. So, I would never buy a watch on-line (ShopNBC is not an authorized retailer for any of the 570, either).

Each brand has a different percentage that the salesperson is allowed to discount, but the Manager has the final say (and usually the ability to discount further). Always get the manager involved for the "best" price. Giving a generalization of 20%, up to a max of 30% is not giving everyone the right info. Some watches (Gucci, Michele, Jaeger Lecoultre, Carl F. Bucherer) have a max of 15% off. That's it. Some have 18%, some 20%, some 25%, some 40%, some 50% and some 60%, too.

Thanks Earlybrass, Bluewater, Gerie, and Marty. Your answers have provided me with the information that I was seeking, basically that it is appropriate to haggle. Haggling is time consuming but if I will have more time this trip. Why not do it. Marty, I will seek you out at your store, Azure by the Sea or something. Don't worry, I will do a search and get the right name before I arrive.
This forum provides a wealth of information for us tourists and I for one, do appreciate and take notice of the the local people who basically host this forum. If I knew all of the business that the hosts are affiliated I would attempt to patronize their businesses.

Salty Sway, be careful not to identify yourself with real name prior to going into Marty's store. In fact, don't even tell him you will be showing up. If he's anything like I am when it comes to sales with a knowing client who I know will ask for a discount, I usually add 5 pct so that I can come down at least that much.

Marty:
Thank you and other islanders for all the valuable information you supply us tourist to your islands. I have been there 4 yrs. in a row and I still learn new things from you and your fellow islanders. Keep it up.