What to Know Before You Buy

Sunday, December 25, 2005

RESEARCH QUESTION: As independent appraisers of jewelry and watches, we see many pieces purchased in the Caribbean. Some clients have done well; others have not. We wondered: Do people really save by buying jewelry in the Caribbean, or is it just a myth? And what do they need to know?

METHODOLOGY: We took a Royal Caribbean cruise to Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and St. Thomas and investigated the shopping experience firsthand. We interviewed the cruise line, merchants and guests, and attended seminars given by the ship's port-shopping guide. Finally, we headed ashore and did a little research for ourselves.

RESULTS: With so many unknown stores and so much jewelry to choose from, buying pieces can be daunting. Generally, some of the best deals we found were on watches. Most watch companies have built-in suggested-retail prices that are consistent regardless of where you buy. So why buy in the islands? Because goods are sales-tax free, and they usually have a lower retail price to start with because they're also duty-free.

Here are five things to do before you buy any kind of jewelry in the Caribbean.

Be skeptical of onboard shopping seminars. These seminars, provided before you reach each port of call, are full of info on stones, jewelry, watches and anything else the islands have to offer but require some caveats. Listening to the ship's expert is a great start, but remember that the stores they recommend have paid a promotional fee. The good news: These stores are required to offer guarantees that they will stand behind anything purchased. The better news: We found many stores that aren't part of the program just as willing to stand behind their products and service.

Take special note on jewelry that is indigenous to the islands, such as black coral or ammolite. Neither of these is easily found stateside, and you may regret passing up the chance to buy.

Shop around . One mantra you will hear is, "See it, like it, buy it!" But that gold chain may be in the same store in the next port. If you want something else, you can exchange within the same company on the next island. Many stores have multiple locations; by attending the shopping seminars, you can find out which islands host what stores.

Do your homework. Before cruising, visit stores in your area -- from chains to private companies -- to get the best sale price on what you're looking for. If you're shopping for watches, do the same, and don't forget the Internet. Try Finest Watches Inc. ( http://www.finestwatches.com ), Wingate's Quality Watches LLC ( http://www.tic-tock.com ) and Bernard Watch Co. ( http://www.bernardwatch.com ) for both new and used watch pricing; for info on diamonds and other fine jewelry, head to such sites as Blue Nile Inc. ( http://www.bluenile.com ) and Good Old Gold ( http://www.goodoldgold.com ).

If you're a repeat cruiser, contact your favorite island jeweler and let him know what you're looking for. (If it's your first time shopping, ask friends for referrals.) Send pictures or fax sketches of what you want and discuss price. This gives you time to compare prices at home, and when you arrive at the store, you know what to expect.

Bargain, bargain, bargain . As a comparison test, we asked 15 stores what they charged for a one-carat round, G color, VS clarity diamond, a basic gem any store would have. We were quoted prices ranging from $5,700 to almost $10,000. Thus, bargaining is important.

Don't be skittish. A few questions to ask: Is there any room for negotiation? Can you do anything on the price? Is this your final price? Or offer a price of your own based on your research. Don't be afraid to walk away.

Know the return policies. Communicating with a jeweler several thousand miles away is not easy or fun. Many return policies are on the back of store receipts; if not, request a copy of the return policy before purchasing any jewelry. Do not rely on verbal promises.

Virtually all of the stores we visited said they would take a return or provide an exchange for defective merchandise or damage through no fault of the wearer. Unfortunately, many stores' return policies do not cover buyer's remorse: You buy it, you own it.

In the case of a value discrepancy, every store told us a return would be accepted only if the guest had an appraisal from a gemologist or independent appraiser who is not associated with any retail store and does not sell to the public.

CONCLUSION: The buys are definitely out there, but do your research before you leave home and know what you're looking for. And remember, there are ways to protect yourself. If you pay by credit card, for example, the company will often mediate a disagreement between buyer and merchant.

For a good primer on island shopping, visit Caribbean Edge magazine's http://www.caribbeanedge.com/shopping , which can link you to island jewelry stores. For more detailed info on jewelry and watch shopping, check http://www.carigem.org , the Web site of Carigem Inc., an independent gemological lab that does work in the islands. It also list stores that adhere to its standards of ethics.

For unbiased opinions about onshore shops, ask some of the cruise ship employees, such as your waiter, cabin attendant or the spa staff. And don't forget your friends, who can recommend places that they like or where they have had good experiences.

-- Robinson and Sherlene Bradbury