Shopping in paradise

By law, prices for goods must be posted (in pesos)

• Nothing forbids a merchant from discounting

Mexicans almost always pay the posted price anyplace with a cash register

• Department stores

• Supermarkets

• Restaurants

• Car dealers (Mexicans usually pay "full sticker price" for new cars!)

Flea markets

Private sales

Street vendors

Stores where someone calls you in off the street

Stores in the Plaza del Sol (the large "flea market" building at the back of the zócalo)

Stores in the pedestrian part of 5a Avenida

Know the exchange rate

Find out the price in pesos right away

• If the vendor has to compute the price in pesos, be especially wary

  • They're used to dealing with tourists paying in dollars

  • They're not following Mexico's consumer law if prices aren't in pesos

Mexico does not make Swiss watches or Persian rugs nor have diamond or tanzanite mines

Some things are sold in tourist areas simply because there are tourists with money there

Check what something would cost you at home

The entire state of Quintana Roo is a duty-free zone

"Duty-free" shops often sell the same product at higher prices than other local shops

You must still pay import duty on anything above your personal allowance when you return home

Mexico has very strong consumer protection laws and takes fraud seriously

• However, you probably can't deal with a problem from 2,000 miles away

Returns on retail purchases are not typical

• Most sales, even at department stores, are final

• Inspect purchases carefully before completing a purchase

Amber

Artwork and handicrafts

Handblown glass

Leather goods

Opals

Silver

Stone (onyx, for example)

Textiles

Turquoise

Pottery and ceramics of many types and styles

Punched tin mirrors, frames, and other items

• He has some unique and wonderful items

• We trust him and think his prices are great

• I get all of my shoes made there

• We get silver jewelry custom-made there

• Yes, it's both handcrafted leather and handcrafted silver. Also excellent hammocks.

• His English is completely fluent

• They have high-quality jewelry, including well-known Mexican designers

• They have high-quality handicrafts from all over Mexico

• They have good clothing

• They have nice souvenirs of good quality and low kitschiness

• Their prices are fair, though some of their products are inherently costly

• Most employees have good English and there will be someone working who's completely fluent

• They've earned a great reputation for quality

• Taxco is the "silver city" in central Mexico famed for their products for centuries, but Sergio's makes some items locally

• The silversmiths speak very good English

• Her shop is on 25 Av. about halfway along the building, under an awning

• I get all my linen guayaberas there

• She has nice embroidered huipils, ladies' tops, and dresses

• She's a nice woman who will treat you well and smile when she sees you

• Her English is no worse than my Spanish

  • Unfortunately, that's not saying much...

  • Communication can take some time

  • Any minor struggles with communication are well worth it, and usually involve a lot of laughing