Be Careful What You Buy on Board

[Sunshine3601]

40 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Serious questions: 

 

Why do people buy expensive things like jewelry and watches on ships, where it's hard to price-compare and getting customer service later would be difficult?  Do you research it ahead of time to know what a reasonable price is?  Same questions about buying on an island.  

 

What am I missing?  

My Hubby has got some really good deals on some watches.   While looking at one particular watch I price shopped on my cell phone and noone had a price anywhere near what he paid onboard.

The watch is guaranteed by the manufacture, doesn't matter where he purchased should it need repair.

Edited October 22, 2022 by Sunshine3601

[Charles4515]

18 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Serious questions: 

 

Why do people buy expensive things like jewelry and watches on ships, where it's hard to price-compare and getting customer service later would be difficult?  Do you research it ahead of time to know what a reasonable price is?  Same questions about buying on an island.  

 

What am I missing?  

Some people like to shop and those sales people on the ship and at the stores on the islands know how to push their buttons. They know how to sell. They are on commission so they have an incentive to make the sale. Others like to have something from their trip as a memory. They are making a mistake not doing the research. On the islands there are a lot of fakes. I have seen fake Maui Jim’s and Oakley sunglasses all over for example. On an Alaska cruise I saw a hat that I liked in Juneau but I didn’t buy it. My friend asked why I didn’t buy it. I explained that REI was selling the same hat for $20 less and I would order it I got home. The friend said but then you can’t say you bought it in Alaska. That the hat would bring back memories of the cruise if I bought it in Alaska. Some have that mindset. 

[Seville2Cabo]

8 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

The watch is guaranteed by the manufacture, doesn't matter where he purchased should it need repair.

Not necessarily true. I collect watches and unless the watch is purchased from an authorized dealer, it is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty 

[Charles4515]

13 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

My Hubby has got some really good deals on some watches.   While looking at one particular watch I price shopped on my cell phone and noone had a price anywhere near what he paid onboard.

The watch is guaranteed by the manufacture, doesn't matter where he purchased should it need repair.

For an expensive watch like a TAG like what my friend bought they are likely authorized resellers. I don’t know that she checked though. So the warranty  would be good then. Plus there will be a sales tax savings if you live in a state with a sales tax. They also can sell it for less because they don’t pay duty on the watches. That is what duty free means. The onboard store also can sell for less cause they don’t pay the duty. 

Edited October 22, 2022 by Charles4515

[Seville2Cabo]

1 minute ago, Charles4515 said:

For an expensive watch like a TAG like what my friend bought they are likely authorized resellers. So the warranty  will be good. Plus there will be a sales tax savings if you live in a state with a sales tax. They also can sell it for less because they don’t pay duty on the watches. That is what duty free means. The onboard store also can sell for less cause they don’t pay the duty. 

I’ve never seen a watch on board that was a good deal. 

[Charles4515]

1 minute ago, Seville2Cabo said:

I’ve never seen a watch on board that was a good deal. 

That would be my suspicion but I never shopped for a watch onboard. People want to believe they got a deal and the sales people make them think so. 

[neverbeenhere]

A $10 watch is a good deal, if it lasts the balance of the cruise with somewhat accurate time. 

[Sunshine3601]

16 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

For an expensive watch like a TAG like what my friend bought they are likely authorized resellers. I don’t know that she checked though. So the warranty  would be good then. Plus there will be a sales tax savings if you live in a state with a sales tax. They also can sell it for less because they don’t pay duty on the watches. That is what duty free means. The onboard store also can sell for less cause they don’t pay the duty. 

Yes, I am aware of this and was answering the question posed by other on why people buy on a ship.   

We have found some nice savings over the years.  Just have to do your homework sometimes.

[Sunshine3601]

10 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

That would be my suspicion but I never shopped for a watch onboard. People want to believe they got a deal and the sales people make them think so. 

I can promise you we got a couple of really good deals onboard.    

Like I said, price check online before you buy.   Not everything is a deal.

[Sunshine3601]

23 minutes ago, Seville2Cabo said:

Not necessarily true. I collect watches and unless the watch is purchased from an authorized dealer, it is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty 

They are authorized dealers.   We had a minor issue with a watch 2 or 3 years after purchasing and had no problem is getting fixed .

[Charles4515]

46 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I can promise you we got a couple of really good deals onboard.    

Like I said, price check online before you buy.   Not everything is a deal.

I can promise you I really don’t know.😀 At one time I was interested in a Rolex Submariner which isn’t a brand sold new on cruise ships but is sold on the islands.  My buddy, the same one who thought I should buy the hat in Alaska had one and was pushing me to get one. I think he considered it some kind of status symbol.  We did get good price quotes from authorized dealers at the ports for about $1000 less than our local Rolex dealer but I never bought one. I was happy with solar Quartz Seikos and Timex that kept accurate time. I used to buy a new Ironman every two years when the battery died to wear at the beach. It was not worth getting the battery replaced because they broke the rubber seal replacing the battery. Now I wear an Apple Watch. LOL. 

Edited October 22, 2022 by Charles4515

[Seville2Cabo]

15 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

I can promise you I really don’t know.😀 At one time I was interested in a Rolex Submariner which isn’t a brand sold new on cruise ships but is sold on the islands.  My buddy, the same one who thought I should buy the hat in Alaska had one and was pushing me to get one. I think he considered it some kind of status symbol.  We did get good price quotes from authorized dealers at the ports for about $1000 less than our local Rolex dealer but I never bought one. I was happy with solar Quartz Seikos and Timex that kept accurate time. I used to buy a new Ironman every two years when the battery died to wear at the beach. It was not worth getting the battery replaced because they broke the rubber seal replacing the battery. Now I wear an Apple Watch. LOL. 

Isn’t that like shopping for a Mercedes and buying a yugo

[Seville2Cabo]

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

They are authorized dealers.   We had a minor issue with a watch 2 or 3 years after purchasing and had no problem is getting fixed .

What brand are they an AD for?

[Charles4515]

5 minutes ago, Seville2Cabo said:

Isn’t that like shopping for a Mercedes and buying a yugo

Rolex and other mechanical watches are really more jewelry than keeping time. I loved the mechanical watch idea but I never was into jewelry. Now I have wrist computer which tracks my workouts, heart rate, sleep, does texting, phone calls, waypoints and is more for health than timekeeping although it does that great. I never bought a yugo but I did shop for a Mercedes. Again I picked easy and reliable over fancy and bought a Japanese car. 

[Seville2Cabo]

1 hour ago, neverbeenhere said:

A $10 watch is a good deal, if it lasts the balance of the cruise with somewhat accurate time. 

I collect watches. But will admit, a $10 quartz watch probably keeps better time then a Rolex 

[foxgoodrich]

3 hours ago, nelblu said:

 

You are missing my point, yes, States that have a sales tax are involved because when I fill out my NJ Income Tax forms, there's a question on $ amounts of purchases made out of state and apply a sales tax % accordingly.  In a sense it's on an honor system, however if reported by US Customs or Treasury then it's a different ball game. 

Oh,  of course, my state used to estimate and charge the sales tax owed (based on net income) on our state income tax return too, but for us it was about out of state purchases through internet sales and mail order goods.  We used to call it the Amazon sales tax, but now that nearly every online and catalog seller charges and remits sales tax to states, it's become an honor system question on our state tax return too.  

 

I was referring to the Texas liquor/tobacco tax collecting station that's set up between US Customs and the terminal exits when you disembark in Galveston.  It doesn't matter if you live in Texas or not, they collect tax on liquor and tobacco at the cruise port.  No other imported goods are affected.  I haven't seen that in Florida, California, or Washington ports.  I haven't ever sailed out of NJ, so I don't know if your state does what Texas does when people disembark.

[Mum2Mercury]

3 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

It is a matter of personal responsibility.  We all look into what documents we need to cruise or to fly, or to travel to a different country during covid, we also need to know what we need to do to get back home too.

I agree about personal responsibility -- but I think it's very possible for this to be a matter of "you don't know what you don't know".  

2 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

My Hubby has got some really good deals on some watches.   While looking at one particular watch I price shopped on my cell phone and noone had a price anywhere near what he paid onboard.

2 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

Some people like to shop and those sales people on the ship and at the stores on the islands know how to push their buttons. They know how to sell.

1 hour ago, Seville2Cabo said:

I’ve never seen a watch on board that was a good deal. 

Three different answers about whether watches on board are a good value-- who's right?  

2 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

The watch is guaranteed by the manufacture, doesn't matter where he purchased should it need repair.

Customer service can be more than just repairs though.  For example, when I bought my car, the same vehicle was available at several dealerships -- but I bought from the one that offered me free oil changes and free inspections for the life of the car.  Service is worth a good deal. 

2 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

On an Alaska cruise I saw a hat that I liked in Juneau but I didn’t buy it. My friend asked why I didn’t buy it. I explained that REI was selling the same hat for $20 less and I would order it I got home. The friend said but then you can’t say you bought it in Alaska. That the hat would bring back memories of the cruise if I bought it in Alaska. Some have that mindset. 

I get it, but I'd still wait /pay $20 less ... and I'd still connect the hat with the Alaskan trip because that'd be where I first saw it /decided I wanted it.  

Edited October 22, 2022 by Mum2Mercury

[Seville2Cabo]

3 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

Rolex and other mechanical watches are really more jewelry than keeping time. I loved the mechanical watch idea but I never was into jewelry. Now I have wrist computer which tracks my workouts, heart rate, sleep, does texting, phone calls, waypoints and is more for health than timekeeping although it does that great. I never bought a yugo but I did shop for a Mercedes. Again I picked easy and reliable over fancy and bought a Japanese car. 

You are right. An Apple Watch keeps better time than any mechanical watch. I’m just into the understanding of how mechanical watches work and what they do. I have a watch that does 2 time zones, minutes, seconds, hours, Sun phase, moon phase, day of week, month and date. All mechanic and to me it is amazing what they can do on a watch. I guess I’m a watch nerd

[Ret MP]

From a Law Enforcement perspective, and I don't claim to know all the particular facts in this event, when you want to talk to someone that there is suspicion (we'll call him/her a "subject") of possible wrong doing, and that subject MAY be involved in a crime, large or small, you give that subject as little information as possible until you get the subject into a controlled location/environment.  Why?  Because you never know how the subject is going to react and it's better to get him/her into an area where there is a few people as possible that aren't Law Enforcement or support personnel, it's for safety sake for EVERYONE.  AND, unless the subject is a juvenile, it's nobody's business what is going on, wife, dad, mom, sister, favorite pillow, nobody's.  Depending upon the jurisdiction, even with a juvenile, you move quickly to the "controlled area, what ever that may be at a particular location/situation" without conversation other than maybe passing the time of day type conversation.  AND it sounded like the "Officer/Agent" treated everyone with respect.  No harm, no foul.  

 

Lesson learned:  Duty Free doesn't mean limit free.  There are always limits!  

[ONECRUISER]

7 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Ricardo couldn't tell you what was going on as he likely didn't know either.  He was doing what he was told.  I am sure it was stressful for all involved but they are just following instructions.  He didn't know if it was duty that was owed or something was found in your luggage as it was being taken off the ship and you were going to meet the drug dogs.

Agree, Royal workers have no idea. One Cruise was on late 3pm Flight so in no hurry was second to last off Ship. Scanned my Cruise Card and "BONG" was taken directly to a thorough to front of line at Customs. Reason, I did 21 nites and DID NOT get off the Ship at any Ports, also didnt spend a penny onboard. Weird, thought be more likely I'd have to got off to do something illegal. Similar happened to me over dozen times multiple yrs post 9/11. Always traveling SOLO, Male and buying tickets at last minute I was almost always secondary screened...

Edited October 22, 2022 by ONECRUISER

[PWP-001]

11 hours ago, Ashland said:

How are casino winnings over a certain amount handled ? Someone on our Panama Canal cruise a couple of weeks ago won 10k.

I was on a Panama Canal cruise where I won four taxable jackpots, meaning each was more than $1,200.  In fact, the total was over $24,000.  I used some to pay down my on board account, but walked off the ship with over $20,000 in my pocket.  I answered YES to the question about having more than $10K and I was taken to an office by the agent reviewing my form in the line.  In the office, I pulled out my W-2G to show the agent that completed a form, and I was on my way in about 5 to 10 minutes total time.  

[PWP-001]

8 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Your duty free limits are very clearly documented. THe fact that your son decided to smuggle a watch which exceeded his duty free limit is on him, not the cruise line, not customs and border control. 

 

 

After reading the OP's account of the incident, I don't know how this situation could be seen as anything but a lack of knowledge and an innocent mistake.

 

I beg to differ at your claim of "very clearly documented," as I've spent a good 20 minutes at CBP.gov trying to find a concise listing of items, limited amounts, and dollar amounts for import duties and couldn't find it.  From years ago I remember there's a dollar exemption and there's also a limit to quantities of certain items, such as alcohol and tobacco products.  Or at least there used to be.

 

This used to be spelled out of the customs form... which aren't required or handed out to cruise line passengers prior to disembarkation anymore.

 

Someone noted that they are outlined in The Compass... which also isn't published anymore.  

 

It's all online and out of sight.  Out of sight, out of mind.

 

I do think that --in the name of good service-- on board shops SHOULD make it a policy to include a blank customs form along with the receipt and give a brief mention that this may be an item that needs to be declared.

 

Someone earlier commented that it's a personal responsibility to know all of these details.  Well, yes, sure-- if we were living in a world of Brain Wizards!

 

But the reality of the world is that we don't all exist at that level of greatness.  Afterall, some can't even distinguish between smuggling and an innocent mistake.

 

 

[DirtyDawg]

8 hours ago, Seville2Cabo said:

You are right. An Apple Watch keeps better time than any mechanical watch. I’m just into the understanding of how mechanical watches work and what they do. I have a watch that does 2 time zones, minutes, seconds, hours, Sun phase, moon phase, day of week, month and date. All mechanic and to me it is amazing what they can do on a watch. I guess I’m a watch nerd

I used to be in the business of selling watches to watch nerds. We sold watches to the others of course but it was the nerds I dealt with the most as I'm a bit of a mechanical nerd myself. I used too categorize watch buyers into three categories;

1. People who had the wealth and an expensive watch demonstrated that wealth /  accomplishment / success,

2. The pretenders who needed an expensive watch to make people think he/she was already a number 1,

3. The 'an expensive watch for my wife will cover up some really big Boo-boo I just committed" crowd  - I sold a lot of women's Rolex's to this group  😉. and

4. the nerds.

 

Out of these four groups number 3 was the most fun to sell to, - the bigger the Boo-boo, the bigger and Faster the sale. Number 1 was also usually an easy sale. Just show the the most expensive and/or 'showy' watches and collect their money. Number 2 was a pain in the backside because,  after a great sales job, their credit card(s) were declined a lot of times. The nerds were a fun and interesting sale because they needed to know all the details which I loved to talk about. But sometimes, man, some of you guys could ask WAY too many questions and spend too much time comparing  the various merits, if it came down to their last two options.  I was on commission so I knew what $ I was going to make on the sale, I knew the nerd was going to buy one of the watches they was considering, and they could afford the watch, but  "make up your mind already, a number 3 just walked into the store!" 😁

 

Edited October 22, 2022 by DirtyDawg

[nelblu]

11 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Your duty free limits are very clearly documented. THe fact that your son decided to smuggle a watch which exceeded his duty free limit is on him, not the cruise line, not customs and border control. 

Smuggle, are you nuts?  Do you think for a mere $50+ excise tax and if he was aware that he would go thru an episode of this kind.

 

I'd rather see the US Treasury send anyone a bill for any excesses over the limit, rather than being pulled out and isolated.

[nelblu]

8 hours ago, foxgoodrich said:

Oh,  of course, my state used to estimate and charge the sales tax owed (based on net income) on our state income tax return too, but for us it was about out of state purchases through internet sales and mail order goods.  We used to call it the Amazon sales tax, but now that nearly every online and catalog seller charges and remits sales tax to states, it's become an honor system question on our state tax return too.  

 

I was referring to the Texas liquor/tobacco tax collecting station that's set up between US Customs and the terminal exits when you disembark in Galveston.  It doesn't matter if you live in Texas or not, they collect tax on liquor and tobacco at the cruise port.  No other imported goods are affected.  I haven't seen that in Florida, California, or Washington ports.  I haven't ever sailed out of NJ, so I don't know if your state does what Texas does when people disembark.

It's a normal US Customs process.  Ass you indicated it began to tackle the sales tax of internet, mail-order and out of state purchases.  However, mostly based on an honor system, unless someone snitches.🤣