Warning - Kids International in ship terminal

[TropicalSnowflake]

I must post a warning about Kids International located in the ship terminal in Barbados. We just returned from a 7-day RCCL cruise on the Serenade and were in Barbados on Thursday, Dec 15th. We stopped in this store because of the 2 for $15 shirt/shorts sets for our 2 y/o son.

 

I took out a $50 bill to pay with. As I was waiting to pay (and clerk was writing up the outfits on a paper reciept pad), my son's diaper leaked. I put the fifty on the counter next to the two outfits. I pointed it out to my husband and he nodded as I left to change my son.

 

When I returned he was visibly upset and asked me what was the money I left him. I said a fifty dollar bill. Apparently, the clerk took it and gave him back $5, not $35 as expected. He told her it was a fifty and she claimed it was only $20. They had a fifty in the box, but she said it was from someone else earlier in the day.

 

Another clerk came over and the two of them began tallying up the paper reciepts to match the days' total to the amount of money in the drawer. At one point they seperated out a bit of money for some unknown reason. First count they said that the reciepts match up. As we knew we were correct, we became angry, one clerk went to get her manager. He came in and they tallied again the paper reciepts and counting money. Second time, it was not matching up in anyone's favor and my huband began getting frustrated and had some words with them. The clerk started to be aggressive and said "why don't you go get customs if you don't believe me" so my husband did go get a policeman.

 

While I waited through the third counting, and the reciepts still not matching, it was now 4:30. We had been in the store for 45 minutes to no conclusion and had to be on the ship at 5pm. Finally, the manager used the cash register to add up the sales instead of the paper reciepts. He put $35 aside and tried to talk to the clerk who made the mistake about the reciepts when my husband and the police showed up.

 

The manager then explained what happened that we were correct to the policeman. It was now 4:45pm.

 

Our conclusions and feeling about the situation aside, we want to warn you about this store because we feel the clerks are not all that honest and--of course it could happen anywhere--don't get distracted when paying for your goods. Watch everyone carefully because they know that you are on a deadline or that when you get on the ship and sail away, its too late to come back to argue.

[FRANCOIS]

Going there next Jan I will avoid to stop a that store.

Francois

[Keys2Heaven]

I think that any store in a cruise port with the last name of 'International' should be avoided like the plague. These stores (imho) work with the cuise lines, hence why the super shoppers or whomever on board, push these stores in their presentations. Not to mention the super shopper and the cruise line get a kick back for every one of the coupons you use in these stores.

 

I think stories like this do two things..

 

1. They point out that there are merchants who will rip you off and Diamonds International, Tanzanite International, Kids International are just a few examples.

 

2. They point out things NOT TO DO from a consumer standpoint. Why leave a $50 bill on the counter. Hold it until you are going to pay. Then, look the clerk in the eye and tell them here is a $50. Make sure they understand that you both are aware of how much is being exchanged.

 

While I can certainly find fault with the store, I can argue that the $50 should not have been placed on the counter in that fashion.

['The Bear']

Thanks for the 'Heads Up' re this store. I will be in this port in March and now will avoid this store, like the plague. ---- I probably would have been in there, shopping for my 4 grandchildren, were it not for this post !!

Thanks again :)

[Sunniebgi]

With regards to the above information, I would like to say that I know the owner of Kids International and she hopefully is already aware of this and any situation of this nature that has happened in her store. The owner of this store is the wife of the managing director of Diamonds International who are both very well known and very well respected in Barbados.

 

I am sure she would not want her store mentioned in a bad way on any message board especially one that is here to promote Barbados. I would unfortunately have to say it is more a reflection of the employee rather than the store and should be viewed as such. Trust me when I tell you, the owner would never condon this type of behaviour.

[Keys2Heaven]

With regards to the above information, I would like to say that I know the owner of Kids International and she hopefully is already aware of this and any situation of this nature that has happened in her store. The owner of this store is the wife of the managing director of Diamonds International who are both very well known and very well respected in Barbados.

 

I am sure she would not want her store mentioned in a bad way on any message board especially one that is here to promote Barbados. I would unfortunately have to say it is more a reflection of the employee rather than the store and should be viewed as such. Trust me when I tell you, the owner would never condon this type of behaviour.

 

O.K. I do apologize for being a bit harsh. My wife and I have been to these places in Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya and we were not impressed. The cruise ships *push* these merchants as some of the only ones to do business with. They almost scare you into thinking that everyone else is out to get you and that you will be safe in these stores. However, when I tried to use a traveller's cheque at Tanzanite International in Costa Maya, I was told "no" only cash, even though I explained that the cheque was the same as cash. I thought a store with a "name" would allow such, especially when promoted by the cruise lines. That should have been a clue. I would think that any store would accept a traveller's cheque. How come they wont?

 

I have read numerous posts about people purchasing merchandise from these stores only to have it fall apart shortly thereafter. Sure, you get what you pay for, but some of it is junk. (sorry). Some folks even sent in their item for repair, only to have an empty box sent back. I hear customer service from Diamonds Internantional after the sale is horrible.

 

Look, I guess everyone is entitled to an opinion. So, I will say this in conclusion.

 

If you are looking for jewelry at one of these stores, at least have some idea of what to look for (carat size, cut, color, clarity). Watches are a different story but you still need to be picky. Buy loose gemstones and not mounted ones. Stay away from Carribean Topaz unless you really know how to barter....very overpriced! Be willing to walk away...frequently. Buy later in the day. Don't flash your money or tell the merchant how much you have. Either they meet your price or they don't. Don't let them put the merchandise on you and then tell you and your spouse/partner to walk outside to talk about it (they could easily say you were shoplifting). If they don't take traveller's cheques (just the same as cash), then don't do business there.

 

Does anyone else hate the little calculator trick they do? You know the one. You walk into a store, look at something and then a salesperson comes over and says..."you like?". He then takes out his calculator and says, "For you today only sir, $200" on something that is probably worth $20. You say "no thanks" and he comes back with a different number on the calculator, this time $160. Then its $140, then $120, you get the picture. Finally, after a few rounds of this, he turns the calculator around and asks you "you tell me....how much?" You put in the $20 figure and he looks at you in disgust. Come on, why'd you ask then.

 

I agree that the employees should be watched, but isn't that the responsibility of the manager to ensure that they hire quality employees? Wouldn't it be in the best interest of the store to resolve a situation like this quickly. As you can see, apparently it left a stain on the OP and they felt that they needed to comment.

 

I assume that the couple got their $35 back, but did they honestly have to go through all that garbage. Isn't the customer always right, especially when a $50 is in the merchant's drawer? Why is the tourist treated like a suspect in these foreign ports?

 

We will be in Barbados next Dec. Can't wait! I can tell you that we won't be shopping at any of the International stores. I think the best purchases are the ones that you find at some out of the way place, something that symbolizes the country/island. Personally, I love the hand crafts of the locals. I would rather experience the culture of the island than go to a store with 500 other cruisers, especially when I can get the same stuff on the mainland.

[Sunniebgi]

HI Keys,

 

Thanks for all of that. several points.

 

Traveller Cheques. I am from NC.. My husband and I were on vacation there and were shopping at a well know retail store in a large mall. The sales clerk told him they did not take travelers cheques. So trust me.. it's not just in Mexico, or the Caribbean it happens. (the manager finally had to come and take care of the sale).

 

In Barbados, there are not that many local jewelry shops, and I would more trust the Columbian Emeralds and Diamonds Internationals of this world before most of the local companies. Try Pinnicale Jewelry or Corrieas for jewelry if you want to shop local. or buy some nice Earthworks pottery and leave the jewelry to your home town jeweler.

 

And yes even as a local I've been swindled. Went to buy 2 timex watches for my daughters last christmas.. would have paid less than US$50.00 (more like 30.00usd )in any store in the USA but ended up being told that I could get it duty free if I purchased a 2 year warrenty.. which I did and paid about 80.00usd per watch. not a happy camper.. but a christmas present nonetheless. I was then told buy someone who works in the Duty Free Retail secture that it was not even legal for them to sell me the item duty free even with the warrenty.. (they basically are just out to make a buck).. or I could have just pulled some unsuspecting cruise passenger off the street and asked them to put their name on the sales slip.. it's done every day of the week in all ports of call.

 

Have a great time in Barbados on your next trip and if I can help with anything just let me know.

[Keys2Heaven]

HI Keys,

 

Thanks for all of that. several points.

 

Traveller Cheques. I am from NC.. My husband and I were on vacation there and were shopping at a well know retail store in a large mall. The sales clerk told him they did not take travelers cheques. So trust me.. it's not just in Mexico, or the Caribbean it happens. (the manager finally had to come and take care of the sale).

 

In Barbados, there are not that many local jewelry shops, and I would more trust the Columbian Emeralds and Diamonds Internationals of this world before most of the local companies. Try Pinnicale Jewelry or Corrieas for jewelry if you want to shop local. or buy some nice Earthworks pottery and leave the jewelry to your home town jeweler.

 

And yes even as a local I've been swindled. Went to buy 2 timex watches for my daughters last christmas.. would have paid less than US$50.00 (more like 30.00usd )in any store in the USA but ended up being told that I could get it duty free if I purchased a 2 year warrenty.. which I did and paid about 80.00usd per watch. not a happy camper.. but a christmas present nonetheless. I was then told buy someone who works in the Duty Free Retail secture that it was not even legal for them to sell me the item duty free even with the warrenty.. (they basically are just out to make a buck).. or I could have just pulled some unsuspecting cruise passenger off the street and asked them to put their name on the sales slip.. it's done every day of the week in all ports of call.

 

Have a great time in Barbados on your next trip and if I can help with anything just let me know.

 

Sunniebgi: Thanks. I know I probably sounded like a heel, but what I experienced at these stores surfaced once again when I read the OP post.

 

I just want our family to have a good time when in port. Being on a ship with a couple thousand people is one thing, but I don't want to be in the same store with all those same people.

 

I know that tourism drives these island's economy and I certainly don't want to detract from that. However, I wish that tourists weren't seen as easy "prey" so to speak from dishonest employees/vendors.

 

Is this where I shout "Can't we all just get along!"

 

:)

[PortAgirl]

I have to agree, why put down a $50.00 bill and expect someone in Barbados, or anywhere not try to "take it" in some way. But I do have to say, don't give people a bad rap because of one incident. Not had an experience with KI but have had 2 great experiences with Diamond International. Sure, you can talk the price down as I did in Cozumel and Belize. We cruised the NCL Dream 12/31/05-1/7/06. But I aquired a VIP card from the "Port concierge" and saved over $350.00 at Diamonds International. You can save if you are with a cruise line and I saved a bunch of money! Sorry you had a hard time, next time will be better and those merchants that the cruise lines recommend are very well worth bartering with. Just have to be smart about your actions in these ports of call.

[RBOrrell]

I appreciate the feedback. Could you enlighten me on just what travellers cheques are then.

 

Certainly....

 

When you buy a traveller's cheque, you purchase a piece of paper from American Express or Thomas Cooke or whomever. When you "cash" a traveller's cheque, the vendor has to submit that piece of paper to the company that issued it for credit. So the vendor must have an account with the company in order to accept it. Also the vendor is really out of pocket the face value of the cheque until they get the credit. If a small kiosk type of vendor was accept traveller's cheques, they would potentially need a large cash reserve to fund it.

 

No where on the traveller's cheque do you see the words "Legal Tender". Why do you think stores put those stickers on their doors saying "xxxxx accepted here" where xxxxx = Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc?

[love2vacation]

The ship service desk will cash travelers checks for you and then you can take cash with you when in port. I did this before.

 

I did not even get traveler's checks last couple times. If you run out of your cash stash, you can cash a check on the ship, or use the ATM, or get cash via ATM card in the casino with no fee.

 

Sorry about your experience. Good reminder to all to watch your money!

[Knights on the Beach]

When you "cash" a traveller's cheque, the vendor has to submit that piece of paper to the company that issued it for credit. So the vendor must have an account with the company in order to accept it. Also the vendor is really out of pocket the face value of the cheque until they get the credit. If a small kiosk type of vendor was accept traveller's cheques, they would potentially need a large cash reserve to fund it.

It's been a few years, but I was a craft show exhibitor for a several years. I accepted traveler's checks as payment and simply deposited them into my bank account. I did not have an account with the company and never had a problem.

[SqueakyDust]

Travellers Cheques may be safer to travel with but don't you have to pay a fee to obtain them, and if you don't use them all you have to pay another fee to cash them back! You also loose on the rat of exchange I think

(maybe this is just in the UK!)

On our cruise we used cash. I was a bit worried about carrying a lot of cash with us (we were on a 14 day cruise) but the room safe was set by us with a private pin number, so we felt very secure.

We just removed what cash we thought we'd need at each port.

 

This detracts from the OP.

If you are personally a very honest person then you do not usually think about others being dishonest towards you - whether it was intentional or not. That is possibly naive, but for us that do not live in huge cities it is the way we live, and we're thankful for it.

Thanks Superkewp for posting the warning, I'll be more aware in future.

We actually found some smaller vendors would not accept $50 notes, as they didn't have change (islands with their own currency) Next time we go, we'll make sure we take smaller bills.

[Keys2Heaven]

And here is the foreign policy of the USA all wrapped up in one post.

 

Please everyone stop. As stated earlier, if I was ignorant, so be it. No harm, no foul. I learned something that had been stored incorrectly in my mind for many years. Glad that I know now.

 

The back & forth comments (I am as guilty as anyone), have seriously detracted from the OP question/statement. Perhaps we should stick to that subject.

[cruisingbajan]

Please everyone stop. As stated earlier, if I was ignorant, so be it. No harm, no foul. I learned something that had been stored incorrectly in my mind for many years. Glad that I know now.

 

The back & forth comments (I am as guilty as anyone), have seriously detracted from the OP question/statement. Perhaps we should stick to that subject.

 

I certainly think you have the correct username. I am almost positive you do have the keys to heaven. You most certainly are a lady/gentleman and a scholar.

 

Good job.

[Knights on the Beach]

Travellers Cheques may be safer to travel with but don't you have to pay a fee to obtain them, and if you don't use them all you have to pay another fee to cash them back! You also loose on the rat of exchange I think

(maybe this is just in the UK!)

In the U.S., it depends on where you get them (and if you need to get them in other than U.S $). We have a AAA (American Automobile Association) membership and do all our banking at a credit union. Either place allows us to obtain traveler's checks at no charge. (You give them $500, for example, and get $500 worth of traveler's checks.) There is no need for us to cash them in when we return from a trip -- we can save them to use at a later date or we can use them wherever we shop, just like cash. I've never had a problem using them anywhere, but that doesn't mean there aren't places that don't accept them; I've just never encountered a problem using them.

 

I agree with love2vacation. It's very easy to cash them onboard the ship. We often do this, then take just the cash we think we'll need with us off the ship, so we aren't carrying an excess amount.