Cameras

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

Is camera gear a good deal in the Cayman Islands? I am looking for a digital Nikon. Is there a store near the dock where the tender lands

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:18 pm Post subject:

Unbelievable prices at Cathy Church. See the thread HERE for more information and directions from the cruise ship dock.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Hadn't thought of this. I assumed that everything is extremely expensive on the island. I have a pro digital Canon camera and if prices are right, would love to pick up some gear. When you say prices are unblievable, are they really lower than in the States? I wonder where I might be able to get more information on prices before going down. I was thinking of getting a couple lenses for the trip, but maybe I could get them on the island.

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:19 pm Post subject:

adawg - Give me a make and model number and I will get the price for you.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Wow!! Thanks, Joe. It is a lens I am looking for. It is the Canon 70-200 f/4L. It is from Canon's 'L' lens pro line. I know it is a mouthfull Laughing

Also, just FYI, I found Cayman Camera online and sent them an e-mail inquiry just because this has peaked my interest. They are apparently on Church St. in GT.

Thanks again, Joe!!

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:20 pm Post subject:

adawg - I just heard back from Cathy Church and they do not sell Canon. They do have Nikon and gave me a price for you to compare:

Nikon D-10 with lens - US$1,150.00

That is the total price; there is no sales tax in the Cayman Islands. It includes a full one-year US warranty, and you can often extend the warranty by an additional year if you pay by credit card.

This is a special duty-free price and you need to mention the Activity Guide coupon to get it. If you cannot produce a cruise ship boarding pass, the price will be slightly higher because of the duty.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Joe -

Thank you very much for looking into this for me. Since I already have a ton of money wrapped up in a Canon system (camera bodies, lenses, flashes, etc.) I need to stick with Canon. But the above information gives me a frame of reference as to what I can expect. As I had mentioned earlier, I have also contacted Cayman Camera, but heave not heard back from them. Tehy list they are a Canon retailer on their site.

If anyone is interested, I can let you know what kind of prices they offer once I get word back.

As an aside, I will be just your run of the mill tourist, flying in for a 2 week vacation. How does that work duty-wise? Do cruise passengers get special perks that others do not? I am not familiar with how all that works and last time I was down I didn't buy much in the way of goods.

Thanks again, Joe. As I have said before, this is a wonderful service you run. I also appreciate your going above and beyond the call of duty to look into that lens for me!!

- Adawg

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:22 pm Post subject:

No problem adawg - I am anxious to see how that price compares with what is available in the US.

The reason that cruise ship passengers can get duty-free prices is because they are leaving on the ship and do not have a chance to resell it on the island. Anything remaining on the island is subject to duty which varies depending on the commodity. Land visitors can purchase duty-free items at the airport departure lounge when they leave, but they do not sell cameras there. You can get incredible prices on Liquor, Cosmetics, Jewelry, Tobacco, and a few other things. You can get a quart of Sky vodka or Bailys for about US$9.00!

If you live in the US, you are allowed to bring back $400 worth of goods per person duty free. This is cumulative, so a family of 3 can bring back a total of US$1,200. In addition to that, you may also bring back one liter of liquor and one carton of cigarettes. Items that are made locally, such as local crafts from Pure Art or Rum Cakes from Blackbeards are completely duty free and you can bring back as much of that as you like.

Thank you for your kinds words of appreciation. I hope you have a wonderful vacation!

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 7

We have bought a few things from Herb at the Cathy Church gallery over the years and it always saved us money compared to the US. Nothing spectacular but $100 or so saved on something we were buying anyway is that much less the vacation cost us, the way we look at it.

It is worth a visit to her gallery regardless of whether you need camera equipment or not. Cathy Church is a very famous and gifted underwater photographer and her gallery is quite impressive. She has contributed significantly over the years towards marine conservation and awareness and a purchase at her facility is a donation towards these efforts which we strongly support.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Sorry for asking duty questions, but say the lens costs $500 and I have my wife with me and we only buy $100 worth of other stuff (we aren't really into vacation knick-knacks). I assume I pay duty at the camera store when I buy the lens, I am well under our $800 cumulative limit asa family, how do I get my money back?

Again, sorry as this question doesn't really pertain to this thread. Also, I looked online prior to asking but couldn't find the answer.

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:24 pm Post subject:

Sorry adawg, maybe I was not clear. The $400/each duty allowance is what you are allowed to bring back to the states. It is a US customs allowance, not anything to do with the Cayman Islands.

The duty-free stores here are only allowed to offer duty-free prices to:

1. Cruise ship passengers with a bording pass, and then it is delivered to them at the dock when they leave; or,

2. Air passengers, from the duty-free shops in the airport departure lounge.

No one else (including me Crying or Very sad

) is afforded duty-free prices from any store on the island. However, every time I leave for Miami to print the magazine I stock up on liquor at the departure lounge. I bring it to Miami and then take it back with me when I return. It's legal, and ends up being a lot cheaper than if I purchased it from the duty-free stores in the Miami airport.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Gotcha -

That makes a little more sense. I live close to Canada here in the States and I thought it might be like the deal we have with them. Basically, you pay their taxes and at the border you get it all back at the duty-free shop. No such luck.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

Joe -

Looks like I am not going to be any help here. I called Cayman Camera (after not getting a response to my e-mail) and was told that they "do not carry that size of a lens." Never heard a focal length referred to as size, but whatever

So looks like I won't be able to take advantage of those island prices after all. Dang it!!

Thanks again for the heads up though. I was looking online and you are correct that many people look to the Caymans for great prices on photo gear, especially medium format cameras and lenses.

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:

Sorry adawg, I tried.

It's still worth a visit to Cathy Church Gallery. She has some breathtaking photographs on display. Pure Art is only about a mile south of them and worth checking out if you are down that way. Kennedy Gallery in West Shore Centre is also worth a visit.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

I bought a Nikon Coolpix 5400 from Herb at Cathy Church last time I was there and with the Activity Guide coupon it cost at least $50 less than anything I could find in the good old US of A. I found some mail-order companies that were about the same but the shipping was at least 30 dollars so it wasn't saving me any money. I got a full warranty too that is good in the US, but I have not needed it. I love the camera and will probably get another one for my sister next time I visit.

Thank you Joe, for the coupons in your wonderful magazine and now this great place. You have done a lot for all the people that visit your island and I want you to know how very much I appreciate it. Razz

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