Labadee markets-will we be ok?

[Toby34]

We have been on one other cruise that stopped there and we didn't go near the markets because I had heard so much negative feedback about the pushiness. Actually my 16yr.(at that time) DD decided to walk over by herself and was scared to death. After chewing her out for going by herself we just didn't go back to that location. This time I would like to check it out. Do you think I will have any problems when it will just be me and my daughters? My husband isn't going this trip. Does anyone ever feel guilty for getting a lower price when this is how they survive? I keep hearing about the good stuff that everyone picks up there that I want to see it for myself. We can't get too much since we'll be flying, we won't have alot of room. Also, anything specific that I should look for?

Thank you for your help!

[Havana Daydreamin]

You should be safe. I never felt threatened there.

 

One bit of advice, don't pick anything up or take anything in your hand that you are not SERIOUSLY interested in. In my experience that is one of the ways the sales person will attempt to pressure you into buying it.

 

Otherwise, it is fun to run what I like to call "The Gauntlet." It is an experience and again I never felt unsafe at any moment.

 

Others may have more and I hope you get the well rounded overview that you are looking for.

[TeeBuccs]

I never felt unsafe in the market at Labadee but it can be annoying to be approached by so many folks. I also found that I should only stop, linger or touch anything that I was seriously interested in. Folks there would understand "no thanks" but from their perspective, just remember...they are just doing their job and providing for their family. If they can make you feel guilty or opt to purchase from them, then why wouldn't they be aggressive. Haiti is a poor country and we tourists represent a great opportunity to make some money. You should not feel guilty over bartering, it is just an accepted custom in a lot of countries outside the U.S.

 

I vote - GO FOR IT!!!

[dzboss1]

Hi Toby,

 

Yes the island people are very pushy and in your face, but my family and I thought it was actually hysterical and alot of fun. We did pick up a few cute things, and the haggling was so much fun. They expect this, and what we think is a low price, may just be what they expected to get. I thought it was a great experience. These people count on our dollars and I see no reason not to help them out, and walk away with some memories. It is mostly crafted stuff, and each vendor has just about the same things which is why they can "be scary", because they are all trying to get you to buy from them. My son last year was 15, and daughter was 19, and they thought it was "fun". Make sure you have cash!! Go and enjoy it!

[Theresa522]

We were there in May and I did not buy anything. That is not because I didn't want too. (I love shopping) However, they were SO PUSHY that I just decided to save my money and spend it on the ship. Don't let your daughter go alone as she would be scared again. They just don't let up and it can be really annoying!!

[Marialivia]

In October 2004 we visited Labadee (the beach was beautiful and the barbecue delicious). It was hot, HOT, HOTTTT!! As for the market, we did visit this and did buy some items (which have held up well and are unusual and attractive). I did not feel afraid -- rather, pressured and annoyed. (I am one of those who prefers to traverse the entire place before I make a selection -- the same procedure I follow in buffet lines!). However, I held my ground and told the vendors that I wasn't ready to make a decision, as I hadn't seen everything. They backed off immediately but were polite and quite charming. Some of them would break your heart with their desperation. It happened that we were being chased by TWO hurricanes (Ivan and Janice?), requiring a change of itinerary other than Labadee. It brought tears to my eyes when I read of the devastation that occurred in Haiti just a day or two after we had been there.

 

In summary, DO visit the market -- you'll find lovely things for little money. DON'T be intimidated, as they will back off as soon as you tell them to.

 

ML:D

[OliverTheCat]

I personally was scared there in market as a young female. They were very pushy and touchy (grabbing my hands and leading me to their area). I felt very overwhelmed by the whole thing.

[Cam6959]

They are very pushy and they tend to try to grab your hand and lead you to their stall. Ifyou act afraid they will push even more. If you act like your enjoying yourself and don't stop and linger unless your serious about buying they will pretty much try to get your attention with calling out to you. I made a fast circuit the first time through and saw what I wanted then I made a second circuit and headed right to what I wanted to buy and said how much? They told me and the haggling started. Great fun as long as you remember they are there to sell their wares and they are trying to out sell each other so they get their percentage from the big boss. Enjoy, remember this is a controlled environment, as long as you stay within its perameters. Have a great cruise!

[PhinsAndGills]

Go in and walk around once with your hands casually folded in front of you. This doesn't really give them the chance to grab it. (Someone on this board advised me to do this, and it worked.) A firm but friendly "not now, I'm looking, thank you" is usually enough. Yes, they are aggressive and can make you feel guilty by not looking / stopping / buying.

I walked around once, found a pair of hand-made sandals I wanted and went back in straight to the ladies' stall. She immediately grabbed my foot and started putting every sandal in her stall on my foot. I found one I liked and inquired about the price (which started out as $35) After some haggling, I have a great pair of sandals for $10. DON'T SHOW YOUR CASH UNTIL YOU'RE READY TO GIVE IT UP, only pull out exactly what price you've agreed upon, and don't expect them to be able to make change. Take nothing but very small bills - $1, $5, $10 at most. Upon leaving, she gave me thanks and blessings. The next time I'm in Labadee, I'd like to see if she's still there and buy more from her stall.

But the best feeling was when I boarded the tender to go back on the ship. One of the Haitians helping with the tender elbowed another, pointed at my feet, got all excited and said "LOOK! She bought *lady's* sandals!"

Give it a try. It's an experience.

 

The best advice I've gotten on shopping in the Caribbean,

"If they let you walk away, that was their lowest price".

[labeachcomber]

I found some nice stone statues in Labadee. Would agree that the market is fine and that you don't need to be afraid. There are plenty of other tourists around, and you won't feel physically threatened, although the verbal assault can be a bit much. And yes, don't let anyone take your hand and take you to their stall. Would agree that it's great advice to have exact change, because they certainly won't give you any change back if you give it to them.

 

I thought the Labadee market was no worse than the straw market in Nassau or the market at Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica.

[PhinsAndGills]

HAHA - quick funny story about change...

On a 95 degree day in the Caribbean, Dad found something he liked in a hot sweaty straw market, agreed upon a price but didn't have exact money. Guy running the stall didn't have change but asked lady running stall next to him if she had change. She did and proceeded to reach into her very large, sweaty bosom and pull out some sweat-saturated wrinkled dollars...

Dad told him to keep the change.

[Tom_n_Sara]

HAHA - quick funny story about change...

On a 95 degree day in the Caribbean, Dad found something he liked in a hot sweaty straw market, agreed upon a price but didn't have exact money. Guy running the stall didn't have change but asked lady running stall next to him if she had change. She did and proceeded to reach into her very large, sweaty bosom and pull out some sweat-saturated wrinkled dollars...

Dad told him to keep the change.

That probably was the point:eek:

 

You will be safe as long as you are firm when you don't want something. My wife found a painting there that fit the style of our bedroom. Unlike alot of the other stuff, it looked Haitian.

[Tamhugh]

Don't miss the market in Labadee. We found some of our most beautiful vacation "treasures" there. On our first trip, I never went to the market because I had heard so many horror stories. But after seeing some of the things my friends bought there, I had to check it out on our next cruise. They are very pushy and grabby, but if you smile and laugh with them, they will take no for an answer. I bought a soapstone sculpture of a family there, some gorgeous tin Christmas ornaments and picture frames, and my favorite..a wooden salad bowl set that I get tons of compliments on. I actually found the salad bowl set at one of the first stalls and we quickly agreed on a price. I told the man I would be back for it before I left and he looked really disappointed. I went through the whole market and then stopped back to pick it up. I bought the set and was starting to walk away and he started to chase me yelling, "lady, lady!" When I stopped, he gave me a liitle carved bowl with a lid and carvings on it that said Haiti. He said it was a gift to thank me for coming back. It made me tear up a little bit...very sweet gesture.

 

Tammy

[Bonnie Voyager]

At least there were when we were there! One building had the locals who would "haggle" with you to sell their goods (sort of scary) and the other building had locals selling their goods at a set price with no haggling. We went in the the market with the set prices and were able to look around as much as we wanted without ever being approached. Is this other market not still around? :confused:

[PhinsAndGills]

At least there were when we were there! One building had the locals who would "haggle" with you to sell their goods (sort of scary) and the other building had locals selling their goods at a set price with no haggling. We went in the the market with the set prices and were able to look around as much as we wanted without ever being approached. Is this other market not still around? :confused:

Still there as of 11/05

[Bonnie Voyager]

Still there as of 11/05

 

Well then, I guess the phrase "if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen" would apply when shopping at Labadee! If you need to haggle you will have to endure the wrath of the locals! Otherwise, just visit the "other" market and have an enjoyable shopping experience, interact with the "gentler" locals, pick up some fun and unique souveniers, and pay the asking price (which is still very reasonable in my opinion). We had a very pleasant shopping experience at Labadee! Maybe we were just lucky though! :D

[harrodsfan]

Markets are the same all over the world...bangkok, Hong Kong, Mexico, Turkey etc...

They want you to buy...want you to come in their store to see their goods...Promise you a good value if you are the first/last, etc buyer of the day.

Don't be afraid...and don't avoid the markets...Bargaining is the criitcal factor...they do expect you to bargain.. it is part of their culture and don't worry they will still make good money.

Offer only half of what they ask and then negotiate. Our son is a commerical real estate salesman and learned a lot through the years about negotiating in the markets of the world.

Also set boundaries....don't let them touch you if that bothers you and if you don't want something smile and say no and then just walk away. Sometimes you have to be a bit rude by our standards..ie walk away or ignore...but they will get the message and move on to another customer.

They will not hurt you ....trust me on this...

[SeaTeach]

I love Labadee. Sure the vendors are very aggressive in their ploy to get you to make a purchase. At no time did I feel threatened, and I left my husband relaxing in a hammock, as I shopped unescorted. There were times when my hand was grabbed, but when told "no touching" or that I was just looking, I was immediately left alone. I even picked up items. Just be firm but polite and all will be fine. In fact, LABADEE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE STOPS.

[MisterBill99]

I enjoyed haggling with the vendors in Labadee, I love it when they come down in price and then I walk away without buying :-).

 

Question -- is there anyone that braids hair there, and do they have decent prices? We will only be in San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Marteen so I'm not sure that any of them do braiding and my daughter always likes to get her hair done.

[njoyndride]

Bonnie Voyager - I really enjoyed your pics of Labadee, what a beautiful place. I saw you went to Hideaway Beach and we'll be making our first visit next month and plan on heading to Hideaway. Was the bottom sandy when entering the water? I've heard it's sandy and also that you need water shoes :confused: .

 

Can't wait to shop the market!!!!

[Bonnie Voyager]

Bonnie Voyager - I really enjoyed your pics of Labadee, what a beautiful place. I saw you went to Hideaway Beach and we'll be making our first visit next month and plan on heading to Hideaway. Was the bottom sandy when entering the water? I've heard it's sandy and also that you need water shoes :confused: .

 

Can't wait to shop the market!!!!

 

I'm glad you enjoyed my photos! Labadee is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! I'm pretty sure I wore swim shoes in the water at Labadee. There were lots of shells and things to step on as you entered the water.

[njoyndride]

Good to know, thanks Bonnie for finally clearing that up.

[MisterBill99]

I'm pretty sure I wore swim shoes in the water at Labadee. There were lots of shells and things to step on as you entered the water.

I had told my wife and son about this and they said "no, we don't need shoes". However I did manage to get my son to buy some closed back sandals which I'm sure he can wear in the water. I recall stepping on something when were there a few years ago, but I think that was because I was staring at something and not watching where I was walking :D

[njoyndride]

but I think that was because I was staring at something and not watching where I was walking :D

 

And what were you looking at MisterBill????? ;)

 

If you think of it could you post when you return please? I really hate wearing anything on my feet but I hate going to Sick Bay worse!