Best and Worst experience with a vendor

[NKY]

Sounds like this might be Elvis. Sweet guy, always cheerful.

On our first non AI visit to Negril, my wife bought a bracelet from Elvis, and got his "lifetime guarantee" on the purchase. He told us that the bracelet would last a lifetime and if it ever broke to bring it back and he would replace it. Upon our return home, my wife snagged the bracelet and broke it. Being the frugal person she is, it was placed in her jewelry box and was to be repaired at a later date.

About a year goes by and we are back in Negril taking our first stroll up the beach and we stop in to see Elvis. He doesn't remember us and goes into his sales pitch and mentions the lifetime guarantee. My wife tells him that she bought a bracelet last year with the lifetime guarantee and proceeds to pull it out of her bag in two pieces. As he sees the broken bracelet a look of shock came to his face that was soon interrupted by hysterical laughter by the two other vendors set up next to him. The male vendor was pretty easy on Elvis, but the woman was relentless going on about how she told him over and over his guarantee was going to come back to haunt him one day. After the laughter subsided my wife then proceeded to pick out a new bracelet that she bought from him instead of asking for her free replacement.

[Yvonne]

"Upon our return home, my wife snagged the bracelet and broke it."

Most places, that would void the warranty :-)

[Sheba]

Not wishing to spoil the man's business.
BUT
At a lovely beach ( not Negril) A young man was attracting tourists to visit at the Bob Marley Tree. This tree happened to be the only shade on a long beach close to several A.I. hotels. He had all his wares set up . Mostly CDs , beaded rasta chains and of course his main product He was telling how his Father Bob Marley used to sit under this very tree for inspiration and would have written many of his greatest songs there.
After some banter I asked him how old he was. He claimed to be 26 and I am sure he was exagerating. ( R.I.P Brother Bob, May 11 1981) I had such a laugh with him and his bredrin that when I visited the beach I would hang out at the Bob Marley tree to listen to the stories he would tell prospective customers. I also purchase some nice souvenirs from them

Lol

[newfiesub]

it was not my intention when i posted this but it really got me thinking about all the trips i've been on-

one time in romano DR, where you are hasseled all day by vendors, i noticed a very old lady i mean she must have been 90- she was walking around with and i'm not kidding at leaset 150 sun dresses, every morning she would pass and look at us but never approached to sell anything-

she just smiled as she passed-

on my last morning i approached her and gave her an american 50- i didnt want anything but out of the same respect for her she showed for us i had to do it.

she was beside her self- i got a picture and a kiss on the cheek

[Crusher]

It takes a bit of getting used to but eventually you learn that sometimes its OK to say no. About six years ago on one of our first trips to Jamaica we stayed in Ocho Rios at a RIU property. We went with friends of ours. We walked down the beach to the craft market next door to the property. I watched for a half an hour while my wife and the other lady bought an item from everyone on the beach. I got rooked into a necklace to which I still wear today. We spent so much because we didn't know how to say no. I too now look for the one or two vendors on the beach that don't pester us too much and that is where I go spend money all the time.

[original spanky]

i'd like to give a compliment to the young guy who sells porridge in the morning at the taxi station whgich is next to the police station.
he is just a pleasure to deal with.

[NEGRILJAIL]

In the early 90's I was searching the beach for a hamburger . Hard to find in those dayz . When i finally found a stand selling burgers I noticed that hamburgers were 350ja and cheeseburgers were 300ja . After some thinking I decided to let the bartender/cook know about the mix up ...at which he replied ..ya mon ..cheese is cheap on the island !!! I still get a chuckle every time I think of that scene .... tings aren't always as they appear to be ..especially in Jamaica...

[Fred Stripe]

I like to walk Long Bay in the morning with barefeet and a walking stick....A few bucks in my pocket for a Red Stripe at the Far Bar or Captains (now gone) nice 4 mile walk..... A guy walks next to me to sell me a CD...Sorry ,I have no cash.......He says,no problem.....He walks with me and asked me my name where Im from etc.............He then improvises and sings a personal song for me in like 30 seconds.....Very cool....I found him later and bought his CD......

[canuk cpl]

a first mate / booker for glass bottom tours, would supply me with consumable items of my choice. I was fully stocked and never need any of his services, however we enjoyed several weeks of coversations. Upon my departure i was able to give him my leftover reds stripes snacks and consumables. He wanted to pay me, i was shocked. I wittnesses the constant rejection he recieved day after day, and know he made very little money. I made a new friend free of charge

[yetta]

Love hearing all the stories...nice thread!! As most woman, I love to shop and peruse vendors tables...full of so many unique(well, sometimes ) items. After many trips and lots of shopping, I have learned to say no...and already have more items from JA that I really need. Now, I still love to check out everyone's items, mainly to show them respect. However, I love just talking to them and sharing my love for their island. Quite often, they end up sharing some of their opinions with me...or teaching me a few things about Jamaica, cooking..or just life.

My last visit in late Dec/early Jan was one of my best yet..and I didn't even think that was possible. Being a cliff dweller, I generally don't go to the beach much now, but I always have to take time to stroll the beach, see friends I have met along the years when I did stay on the beach. So, off I ventured for a day of pure relaxation. I generally stroll near the water so that I can feel the sea on mi feet. I stopped by several places we had stayed in the past, to meet up with old friends that worked there. Most of the folks were still there and it was heartwarming to see them all. After many "hug ups", I ventured further down to see my dear friend Niah.. The last 2 times in the past, I never got to see him. Guess it was slow season or maybe he just took a day off.

Anyhow, I reached the Wave Park area and was ready to venture in..when I noticed two tables of necklaces, and other goodies. I knew that I didn't need anything and quite frankly, was more focused on seeing Niah again. The two lady vendors were just sitting down on the sand talking to one another. I spoke to them and they both remained seated, as if they were more interested in having a nice "girl" chat rather than hit up a sales pitch. SO, we chatted for a while. It was GREAT..we talked about all sorts of things. I love to eat Jamaican food as well as attempt to cook it at home. So, we really got into some serious food talks. After about 20 minutes, I said that I must continue on to see mi friend from long time.

Then, I thought to myself...I haven't even looked at their wares....so, I told them I wanted to show respect and see what all they had,,even though I told them straight up that I really wasn't looking to buy anything today. Well, most of it was the normal stuff, but as usual, there was one necklace that was totally unique and had "me" written all over it. I picked it up and told the ladies that this one was really nice. She said the price was 10 US....which I knew was already a really reasonable price. I placed it back down on the table and told her the price was fair. I then decided to head off and thanked them for such a great conversation. They actually thanked me too!! Saying that they really enjoyed just chatting.

It actually warmed my heart. Then, the lady said, I know you don't need that necklace but you are really nice lady and I give it to you for 5 US. Trust mi mon, I knew that that was a TRUE bargain. Seriously, this necklace was da bomb.....with that offer, I had to smile. I told her, "Wow, that is a great price...and I can't possibly pass that up!" I reached into my purse, gave her the money and happily secured my new purchase. I then told her, don't worry yourself about a lada bag ,I'll just stuff it in my purse. With that, both ladies just cracked up that I knew the local name for those black plastic bags that everyone uses. I walked off with a smile that made my face hurt and thought again...just how wonderful this island is if you just take time to talk awhile..
And, yes, I did get to see Niah this time. He remembered me and we hug up. He invites me into his kitchen, introduces me to his sister and wife. Hands me a homemade carved coconut shell that he did himself...refuses to take anything for it. He keeps saying how good it was to see old friend and keeps repeating to the ladies how long we had known each other. He asked about mi husband, who was not shopping with me...imagine that!! Then cooked me up a patty to take to him. Friendship like this.....priceless.........