Times 3 on the being an educated consumer. Know what you're looking at and what a comparable item would cost at home. My feeling is that there may not necessarily be huge discounts from what you get at home, BUT it is really neat to think where you bought it. The ring I wear on my right hand I bought in St. Thomas. And when I somehow managed to lose the diamond out of my engagement ring, I replaced it in St. Maarten. And I have a blue topaz stone that I bought unset in ST. Thomas, YEARS ago, that I had made into a necklace that I get tons of comments on. My feeling is, if you know what you're looking at and know what it would cost at home, even if you pay virtually the same amount, you should be saving taxes at least, and it makes for a wonderful memory!