Question for patwell

[judy&steve]

Penny, when you were on the QM2 this past week, did you, by any chance, bring home with you information from the shopping specialist, Gail Smith? I neglected to bring home my paperwork from the ship and I need to register a purchase I made. Thanks --

Judy (jgunnery at comcast dot come)

[patwell]

Hi Judy...I'm sorry but I can't help you here. I never went to any of the shopping talks as I wasn't planning to do much shopping in any of our ports. Perhaps if you contact Cunard guest relations they can direct you to contact her on the ship. Or watch for someone posting from the ship this week and see if you can leave them a post to get what you need. Or, maybe one of the Dec 16th folks could get it for you. I figured I'd shopped myself out at home for the trip and truthfully had no need for jewelry or liquor which was about all the shops I saw on our itinerary...and of course the requisite junk dealers.

 

Cheers, Penny...wishfully "Live from the QM2"

[judy&steve]

Thanks Penny.

The more I think about the responses I am getting about this so-called Shopping Expert, the more crazy I feel. I know she was there. I have her business card (no way to get to her, though) and I know I paid too much for a watch at the infamous Diamonds International. I got to "bargain" down to a mere $5 over the highest price I could pay in the states. I feel like a fool and I don't even love the stupid watch. They (the shopping experts) offer a price guarantee for their recommended stores and shipboard stores.

I actually made use of one of these services years ago on Carnival. We bought a watch on board and even called our local jeweler to maker sure we were not going to pay too much. We bought it, went to the same jeweler I called, and he quoted me a price $400 less than we paid. This company actually made good on their guarantee and sent me a check for the difference.

Thanks again for getting back to me.

--Judy

[patwell]

Judy...I understand how you feel...that's why I wasn't very keen on doing any so called discount shopping. I'd give Cunard guest services a try tho since they directed you there and say they stand behind their recommendations. And I'd let guest servies know you feel misled. Good luck...Penny

[judy&steve]

I did call Customer Service. They kept telling me to go to Harding Brothers in the UK. I know that the shopping consultant is contracted from a company in the US, probably Florida. I emailed the company I dealt with from Carnival in hopes that they are the same company Cunard uses. I didn't get very far with Cunard Customer Service. I was a little put out, also. They told me to call back in a few days, which I did. I had to start all over with someone else. Just didn't sit right with me.

I know that there is no great discount shopping to be found in the Caribbean or anywhere else, but I was curious about this watch and went out of my way to check it out and got suckered into buying it.

There are some good deals out there. I know that, because Steve got a Corum watch at an unbelievable price in Grand Cayman. It was an item in a clearance center for a huge store. That was a lucky buy. I will try to call Guest Services tomorrow.

--Judy