Christmas is almost here. Visions of snow covered hills and glistening icicles float through your brain as you frantically shuffle from store to store for the perfect gift. How can one reconcile bitter cold winter with the Caribbean at Christmas? Easy. In addition to hosting balmy breezes, St. Thomas is also the shopping capital of the Caribbean.
If you are planning a trip to the US Virgin Islands, whatever time of year, you can shop for your loved ones. The prices are comparable and sometimes even better than stateside. In addition, there is no tax and items are duty-free.
I had a chance to discuss shopping on St. Thomas with Holly Palm, the island's leading shopping expert. She took time out of her busy schedule to take a break at the Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Hotel to discuss shopping in the island's downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Suite101: What is the number one tip you give to visitors shopping on island?
HP: Do not leave your brain at home. Use the same common sense as you would shopping anywhere else. If you encounter a buy that is too good to be true it probably is.
Suite101: What are the best buys on the island?
HP: Jewelry is always a good bet. There are over 400 stores in downtown Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and of those 300 are jewelry stores. The majority of my Shop Talk is focused on jewelry. Most visitors are interested in learning how to shop for jewelry on island as the choices are plentiful.
Suite101: Any other good buys on island?
HP: Liquor, Liquor, Liquor. The prices are cheap and almost everyone sells liquor of some type.
Suite101: With so many stores to choose from, how do you know where to shop?
HP: Shop with the big store chains and with names you recognize.
Suite101: How can a shopper know they are getting a deal and not ripped off?
HP: With jewelry you have to be very careful. Look for jewelry stores that offer a thirty-day guarantee for purchases. If you get an appraisal at home and discover the piece is of lesser value, you can return it to the store for a refund or exchange.
Suite101: And how do you determine the store policies?
HP: Ask the salesperson before you shop. Visitors to the island that attend my Shop Talk receives a map of downtown with those stores highlighted.
Suite101: What about price?
HP: Usually a store can offer discounts of 10 to 20% for a piece of jewelry. If you find the salesperson offering a discount of 50% or more, you are probably not getting a deal.
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