Any good camera buys in Eastern Caribbean Area??
Oct 19, 2017 10:28:05 #
Hi everybody. Need your advice. I will be on a cruise that will stop in St.Lucia, St Thomas(Virgin Island), Barbados, St. Kitts and Martinique and I was wondering if anybody in our forum has found any camera store on these islands with great prices on top notch equipment. I know I know to be very weary of gray market and or stolen stuff. Thanks in advance.
Oct 19, 2017 10:50:29 #
Rich K wrote:
Hi everybody. Need your advice. I will be on a cruise that will stop in St.Lucia, St Thomas(Virgin Island), Barbados, St. Kitts and Martinique and I was wondering if anybody in our forum has found any camera store on these islands with great prices on top notch equipment. I know I know to be very weary of gray market and or stolen stuff. Thanks in advance.
St. Thomas used to have a whole street of camera and jewelry stores, but the island was recently smashed by Hurricane Maria, so who knows what's there now.
ps
That is in the capital---Charlotte Amalie as St. Thomas is an island.
Oct 19, 2017 11:16:37 #
Rich K wrote:
Hi everybody. Need your advice. I will be on a cruise that will stop in St.Lucia, St Thomas(Virgin Island), Barbados, St. Kitts and Martinique and I was wondering if anybody in our forum has found any camera store on these islands with great prices on top notch equipment. I know I know to be very weary of gray market and or stolen stuff. Thanks in advance.
Run, Forrest, 🏃
Oct 19, 2017 17:40:47 #
Does the ship depart from Miami, San Juan or where? You might get better deals in Pawn Shops vs retailers on the islands.
I was once in the Grand Bizzar in Istanbul, looking at watches in a jewelry store window. My first thought was, "gee, I wonder how many were lifted from some Tourist."
I was once in the Grand Bizzar in Istanbul, looking at watches in a jewelry store window. My first thought was, "gee, I wonder how many were lifted from some Tourist."
Oct 20, 2017 06:23:17 #
Many countries impose steep import tariffs on luxury goods. It has been a long time since I have heard of anyone getting a great deal on cameras or electronics anyplace but perhaps China. And will you be able to get service on a camera purchased from a non-authorized dealer? I know with Nikon it might be sketchy.
Oct 20, 2017 06:39:02 #
Figure out what you might be interested in buying while you’re on your trip. Write down the cost of what you want to purchase here in the states so that you can compare prices when you go there. Sometimes a deep discount is not much of a discount at all. And what are the warranty factors are. Same for expensive watches.
Oct 20, 2017 07:37:59 #
Rich K wrote:
Hi everybody. Need your advice. I will be on a cruise that will stop in St.Lucia, St Thomas(Virgin Island), Barbados, St. Kitts and Martinique and I was wondering if anybody in our forum has found any camera store on these islands with great prices on top notch equipment. I know I know to be very weary of gray market and or stolen stuff. Thanks in advance.
Years ago, I got a good deal on a Miranda 135mm lens on St. Maarten. Today, that would be a gray market lens, and I would avoid it. I bet prices would be higher, rather than lower. The United States seems to have good prices. If you look at prices in England, $500 here would often be £500 there - almost 50% more expensive.
Of course, any camera gear you buy overseas will delay you at Customs when you return.
Oct 20, 2017 09:38:32 #
My only thought is that if you have a problem down the road, what are you going to do ?, go back to the island? Once you leave so does your warranty. You never know where the camera came from, be aware !
Oct 20, 2017 10:28:04 #
Be aware that most "custom free" countries are indeed custom free but they fool the inexperienced tourist. Be also aware that cameras in those countries could be gray market meaning that they could not be covered by a USA warranty. Be careful, you could be told the camera is under warranty to make sure they sell you a camera.
Refurb cameras are reasonably priced in this country and the market is full of used cameras in excellent condition. You could be taking risks and who knows, maybe paying more for a camera that is actually gray market.
Refurb cameras are reasonably priced in this country and the market is full of used cameras in excellent condition. You could be taking risks and who knows, maybe paying more for a camera that is actually gray market.
Oct 20, 2017 10:47:29 #
Keep in mind that St. Thomas is part of the US Virgin Islands which is part of America.
Just keep your sales receipt so you can show where you bought it.
Just keep your sales receipt so you can show where you bought it.
Oct 20, 2017 10:53:39 #
Oct 20, 2017 18:48:18 #
Years ago, you got a terrific deal from shops in St. Thomas. In the last 20 years, not so much. I agree that you need to know the prices of the products prior to going and know what to look for to determine if the product is legit or grey market. Knowledge is a powerful thing.
Oct 20, 2017 18:58:55 #
sirlensalot
Loc: Arizona
I think you would have to weigh the savings (if any) from a duty-free port or shop against the duties applied at customs to see if it was really a bargain. I guess you could always lie and fail to declare it coming back to the U.S.
Oct 22, 2017 01:22:14 #
muysabio
Loc: Mexico DF
His advise is right on. I do a lot of traveling and rarely find a real great bargain. An additional thing to consider besides price is post-purchase product service, i.e. you really can't take the camera back if something goes wrong -- except if you are looking for an excuse for another trip to the Caribbean.
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