Planning a PMV

Hello,

On St. Thomas you could try http://www.stthomasboatrentals.com for renting a boat. Remember to bring proper proof of nationality because you will need it to visit the BVI and also when leaving the USVI to return to the states.

No we don't have two price structures. There are some businesses that offer local's discount and some that offer tourist discounts ie. cruise ship discounts/gifts.

--Islander

I'm not trying to disagree, but most places I've been if I mention I live here I get a bit of a discount. Not places like K-Mart or grocery stores, but in individually owned shops. Or maybe it's just my charming personality ;-b

Hello Katetastrophee,

You didn't disagree at all... actually you agreed 🙂 as I wrote

"There are some businesses that offer local's discount and some that offer tourist discounts ie. cruise ship discounts/gifts."

😉

To further help provoshane out... what type of shops or which shops have you gotten a discount at and what types haven't offered you a discount? Also which island? And did they ask for a Driver's License or anything to prove that you were a resident? Lets get the scoop!

--Islander

Think it was her looks!

RL

Kate, you're so modest... all you have to do is toss them your great smile and they give you a discount without even asking! LOL

Thanks for the compliments fellas! (Hmm, just found out RL was being facitious-how about you Ed?)
I've gotten discounted prices from dive shops and jewellery stores, so far as I can remember. Also, got in on a boat rental with some other people, but I think that was a knowing the right people discount. All on STT. Except I got a discount on scuba certification, but that was on STX. I haven't had to show any proof of residency yet.

Hello katetastrophee,

So Ronnie and Island Ed let out your secret... a great smile and looks! 🙂

The stores you mentioned make sense. Often the 'tourist' oriented businesses like dive operators, boat rentals, daysails, jewerly stores, Coral World and even hotels depend on getting some business from residents, particularly during off season, to keep things going. I don't consider it having two price structures though as the original posts asked about,just offering a discount to attract a different market. Actually many jewerly stores expect everyone to bargain, tourists and residents. The dive operators do pretty much all have a residents package as far as I have seen. The hotels often will give a small discount to residents when booking for themselves or family, usually during off season only though. So I would say its the tourist businesseses that you would have the best luck getting a residents discount. If you went to the doctor, dentist, pharmacy and said something about a residents discount they would likely say 'all my customers are residents'.

The reason I asked about the driver's license is some business do ask for it when they have a price for residents and one for tourists; Coral World and Paradise Point come to mind.

So provoshane, hope our answers were helpful!

--Islander

Just wondering about the golf courses? They are kind of expensive for a regular player. Any discounts for locals who like to play often, without buying a membership? STX & STT?

Bubba: As Kate of the great smile and looks, says, just ask. 😉 There used to be an early bird local discount at Mahogany Run, like at the crack of dawn for 9 holes. Can't remember what the price was, but it was a good deal.

Boy, Kate, your reputation precedes you! 😉

Well, I'm not sure if that's a good thing, but here I am and I'll do what (who--bad joke) what I can to help.

Thanks for the feedback. I have seen dual price structures in the Turks and Caicos Islands (for inter-island boat/ferry trips) and in the grocery store (a local store, not a chain) and in Belize at a local grocer.

I have SUSPECTED it occurs a lot more often than that but I would not know, being a tourist .