Cartier Store on APEX

[Papadog]

Hi,

We are going on the Apex and was interested in buying a Cartier watch. Can anybody tell me if they discount on the ship?

Thank you

[Lady Arwen]

If I were you, I would do my homework on the price of these watches where you live.  When we were on Infinity in late 2019, high end watches were much more expensive than I could buy here in Toronto.  Invicta (not a high end brand) were double the price!  I would never, ever buy an expensive watch or jewelry on a cruiseship.  Just my opinion.

[canderson]

1 hour ago, Lady Arwen said:

 I would never, ever buy an expensive watch or jewelry on a cruiseship.  Just my opinion.

As a rule, I'd very much agree, but we did make an exception on Constellation's maiden 'restart' cruise last month. 

 

Effy was opening two new stores aboard on that cruise.  We made a five figure purchase in their small, higher end shop on three matching pieces that we had noted while cruising the shops.  Did a little online price comp work beforehand since the ship WiFi was working well.  Negotiated a much better price than marked.  Didn't go in with any real expectations of striking a deal, but left with the goods.

 

After returning home, took the pieces to a top appraiser in our area, and the report confirmed that one piece was worth more than we paid for all three.

 

Negotiation is critical, but we walked away with a very nice Christmas present for our daughter at a very right price.

 

I'm sure mileage will vary on this, and our final price may have been impacted by what my wife and I call the "Hong Kong first sale" phenomenon, but it worked out well for us.

[bigbenboys]

I was looking to buy a Rolex. So I looked here in the greater Seattle area. I was told the prices are fixed. I had looked in the shops on cruises for Rolex's. They did not have the one I was wanted. In the end I bought my Rolex in St Martin. My discount was not having to pay our state 10% sale tax. Also no custom paperwork. After I had got my Rolex. My local jeweler said he can get high end watches for me. I bought my Cartier watch at his store. Next is a Frank Muller watch.

 

Does Celebrity stores turn over high end sales to Customs?

[Guindalf]

Without knowing the absolute best prices on land (including tax), I would not recommend buying on a cruise ship. Remember, the prices are tax free, not profit free, and anything over, I think, $800, you must declare and pay tax on anyway, or you risk penalties or even confiscation. Failure to declare could, under some circumstances, be seen as smuggling, which can be a felony!

 

We bought his and hers Citizen watches on one cruise and found the prices to be similar to Amazon, but no great bargain. Of course we didn't face any warranty issues either.

[Guindalf]

4 minutes ago, bigbenboys said:

I was looking to buy a Rolex. So I looked here in the greater Seattle area. I was told the prices are fixed. I had looked in the shops on cruises for Rolex's. They did not have the one I was wanted. In the end I bought my Rolex in St Martin. My discount was not having to pay our state 10% sale tax. Also no custom paperwork. After I had got my Rolex. My local jeweler said he can get high end watches for me. I bought my Cartier watch at his store. Next is a Frank Muller watch.

 

Does Celebrity stores turn over high end sales to Customs?

 

Why should that matter?Are you asking if you could get away with illegal smuggling again?

[kearney]

2 hours ago, Papadog said:

Hi,

We are going on the Apex and was interested in buying a Cartier watch. Can anybody tell me if they discount on the ship?

Thank you

I actually did buy a Cartier tank watch while on one of the Edge's maiden voyages (eastern caribbean). Before I bought it I did some online searches and found that the pricing was the same. The only discount is the duty free. Now here is the problem. Because we made a large purchase onboard, the cruiseline escorted all those who did to customs so that we could declare our purchase....which was well over the limit. Alas, it was the first day of the government shut down and there was one customs agent working. It took us a long time to get to him. I told him I had purchased a watch onboard and he asked if it was made in America I told him I had no idea but that they stores in the US.... he let us go... I assume it was because there was likely only one person collecting duty that day. 

So I would look online and see what they are going for. The tanks come in at least two face sizes..I did not get the smaller one... the salesman suggested a larger face to make it easier to read without glasses...which was a good idea...He also up-sold me to a longer lasting stainless band..which I am glad I got.  While I could have gotten it anywhere, it was a nice memento for this maiden voyage

[canderson]

56 minutes ago, Guindalf said:

 Remember, the prices are tax free, not profit free, and anything over, I think, $800, you must declare and pay tax on anyway, or you risk penalties or even confiscation.

USVI purchases have a 2X exemption, and our Effy jewelry was AGR (Boston) as reflected on invoice, so no duty on those purchases.

 

All customs cared or asked about in Tampa on 11/22 was booze and smokes.  No declaration forms available aboard, and none to be found at the pier.  Was prepared to fill out 3 different forms (AGR, USVI and 'other') and couldn't even find one.  Due to nature of purchases, didn't matter - we were under limits - but customs was totally perfunctory in Tampa at that time.

[Lady Arwen]

There are two Cartier stores in Toronto and I would much prefer to buy direct from them, even if it costs a bit more, and I know that I will be safe with my purchase should something go amiss.  Sorry, but to me buying a watch on a cruiseship feels like buying a Rolex in an alley from a guy in a trench coat. lol

[Sheltielover73]

2 hours ago, Guindalf said:

Without knowing the absolute best prices on land (including tax), I would not recommend buying on a cruise ship. Remember, the prices are tax free, not profit free, and anything over, I think, $800, you must declare and pay tax on anyway, or you risk penalties or even confiscation. Failure to declare could, under some circumstances, be seen as smuggling, which can be a felony!

 

We bought his and hers Citizen watches on one cruise and found the prices to be similar to Amazon, but no great bargain. Of course we didn't face any warranty issues either.

Ive had to pay tax on numerous Bvlgari purchases I made on Edge and other ships. They actually provide a spreadsheet to customs and you get flagged when going thru to go over to the small room and pay up.

[kearney]

57 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

There are two Cartier stores in Toronto and I would much prefer to buy direct from them, even if it costs a bit more, and I know that I will be safe with my purchase should something go amiss.  Sorry, but to me buying a watch on a cruiseship feels like buying a Rolex in an alley from a guy in a trench coat. lol

The Cartier shop onboard is a Cartier shop...but I understand your point.

[aruzinski]

Certain high end watches are price fixed, for instance Breitling and Rolex.  The shops whether on board or on shore cannot go below 12% for instance, or they lose their license to be a retailer for the brand.  But yes on large purchases, celebrity does report them to customs that are made on board.  We were tagged for my DH’s watch and even though we paid no taxes, we had to pay duty.  The duty was lower than the tax, but the sales rep never told us about the duty portion.  We came out okay, because though he couldn’t discount the watch, I negotiated for a large sum to spend at the other stores on board.  Seems they’re all run by the same outfit.  Was able to get myself a Bulova watch and some other trinkets.  Like some others have said, negotiate.  If the price can’t be lowered, perhaps other extras can be thrown in!

[canderson]

6 minutes ago, aruzinski said:

Seems they’re all run by the same outfit.  Was able to get myself a Bulova watch and some other trinkets.  Like some others have said, negotiate.  If the price can’t be lowered, perhaps other extras can be thrown in!

First, Effy runs their own shop.  Negotiating with them is possible, but not cross-negotiation with other shops.

 

Second, the goods we purchased from them were not reported to Customs (though as I say, Customs didn't seem to have any provision for dealing with this in Tampa when we returned anyway).  Our Effy goods were all AGR and not subject to duty, which otherwise would have been considerable.  That may well be true for all that they sell aboard, but we didn't inquire about other items in the larger shop.  We'll worth asking about if anyone plans to purchase from Effy shipboard or at a port store.