rickcop44 Posted February 11, 2009 #1 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Evening, everyone. The missus and I will be on Crown on February 22. The missus is a power shopper, but she's a little concerned about prices in light of the economy. Can anyone tell me if the merchants have lowered their prices at all in response to the economy? Specifically, I'm interested in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toto2Kansas Posted February 11, 2009 #2 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Evening, everyone. The missus and I will be on Crown on February 22. The missus is a power shopper, but she's a little concerned about prices in light of the economy. Can anyone tell me if the merchants have lowered their prices at all in response to the economy? Specifically, I'm interested in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Thanks! Last visits there, the prices were the same as previous years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip217 Posted February 11, 2009 #3 Share Posted February 11, 2009 There are very few bargains left in the Caribbean. St Thomas is one of the most expensive places there. Havensight pier is the most expensive place in St Thomas. St Maarten doesn't have too much variety, but prices are a bit lower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toto2Kansas Posted February 11, 2009 #4 Share Posted February 11, 2009 There are very few bargains left in the Caribbean.St Thomas is one of the most expensive places there. Havensight pier is the most expensive place in St Thomas. St Maarten doesn't have too much variety, but prices are a bit lower. I also totally agree with Phillip. Most of my shopping, when I do shop (which isn't all that much) is done in St. Martin, St. Thomas has always seemed so much more expensive to me and there are no real deals there at all. Save your dollars and wait until you reach St. Martin, especially if funds are limited. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodmnky Posted February 11, 2009 #5 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Evening, everyone. The missus and I will be on Crown on February 22. The missus is a power shopper, but she's a little concerned about prices in light of the economy. Can anyone tell me if the merchants have lowered their prices at all in response to the economy? Specifically, I'm interested in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Thanks! Smart man trying to figure out how his wife can still shop and he can save money. Wish my husband would subscribe to this theory ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennbr9 Posted February 11, 2009 #6 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Don't be afraid to barter though. They will bargain with you on most of the Islands especially if you bundle two or more items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iamcruzin Posted February 11, 2009 #7 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I have found better deals at a Macy's One Day Sale or by shopping online. I have managed various types of retail stores over the past 25yrs. I am very price conscience and have not found any deals in the Caribbean that I can't find at home since 1991. The only exception being liquor and cigaretts. I don't smoke and TSA makes it impossible to carry liquids through airline security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickcop44 Posted February 11, 2009 Author #8 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Thanks for the responses, everyone. The wife loves to shop and I love to haggle so I think we've got the bases covered. I've known for sometime that St. Maarten was slowly but surely overtaking St. Thomas as the shopping mecca of the Caribbean. You'd think St. Thomas would sit up and take notice and act accordingly. I think we'll save our money for St. Maarten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjs9876 Posted February 11, 2009 #9 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I agree with all of the above posts. We were just off the Crown Feb. 1-7. I knew my prices for items I wanted. I picked up a large 14Kt slide at the pier in St. Maartin. The price was OK but not great but it was exactly what I wanted. Also got a smaller diamond slide at Majesty (across from Holland House on the main street). I really was able to barter and got a good price. Again, I knew my prices for the item at home. We also purchased items on Olde Street and when back and forth on the price several times. For Liquor we use the store right at the end of the pier. He remembers us and we have a shorter distance to lug it back. Rum was $7.50. Kalhua was $15. We were not flying so I looked like a mule with a party attitude! We also bought booze in St. Thomas right at the dock area. We had a cat. planned and begged her to open early for us. She did and was very nice. Prices were almost the same. Maybe .50 higher on a few items. AH Riise had some items that the other store did not have. Cig. were $12 in town in St. Maartin. $16-17 at the pier. He ordered in a whole bunch for us one time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dive Girl Posted February 11, 2009 #10 Share Posted February 11, 2009 My experience in January was different, prices in St. Thomas were MUCH better than St. Martin's. For Jewelry, we shop at Jewels Forever and Imperial Jewelers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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