We just had an experience with customs and duty with a 6 string bass someone sent for Derrick, and if the formula they tried to use is any indication then the difference in price could have EASILY been mark up from the customs and duty office.
I don't remember the actual break down but here is formula close as I recall.
Duty on a piece of jewelry for 76$ would be about 80% (76% is what they tried to charge us on the bass and musical instruments are duty free)
Price just jumped to 136$
Environmental tax 10% 149$
10% GST 165$
One more "handling fee" and a postage fee or something brings the total to 190$
The seller has to get the item to the Cayes. He has to pay the staff, overhead, etc at his store. So a mark up by him of 15% percent brings the total to 220$.
Pardon my math, it isn't dead on but it is close.
Doing business here is costly. You can get ripped off if you look in the right places, but I think this wasn't one of those times.
Last edited by lil'red; 03/01/09 10:14 AM. Reason: Pardon my spelling too