"Playacar shopping plaza" Playa del Carmen by Carefultourist

There's a shop in Playacar that sells jewelry and ceramic art. You'll likely see some whimsical ceramic frogs in the window. There's another store, owned by the same people and with the same name on 5th avenue in Playa Del Carmen. At the shop in Playacar (It had the word Margarita - or close to that spelling - in the name) I was told that a particular ceramic frog would be $220 U.S. This was the work of a Mexican artist - hence the price. I paid with American Express and told the shop owner I wanted to leave the purchase in the shop and pick it up before I left. No problem.

I should add that we've been to Mexico on many occasions and I know that shop owners bargain with you. I understand that the price I am first quoted is usually much higher than what they will take. I did negotiate. The problem is that this was art. With jewelry or other purchases it is often easier to determine a price.

Two days later, at the other shop in Playa Del Carmen, I was told the same ceramic frog was $125.00. I went back to the shop in Playacar and the man who sold me the frog was not there. I asked one of his employees how much the frog was and she said, "$125.00." I told her that I was very upset that the man who sold me the frog had grossly overcharged me. I came back when he was in the shop and told him that I was very upset and wanted him to take the charge off my card. He said he could not do that. I called American Express and they said, "Well that's fallacious, he can take the charge off." I said, "I know and I want to dispute the charge." Although I have very rarely (maybe twice in 20 years) disputed a charge with American Express, I've never had a problem.

BIG mistake. American Express did not tell me until AFTER I returned to the states that, in foreign countries, in most cases the shop owner has to agree to take the charge off! If I had heard that when I was IN Mexico, I would have swallowed my anger, taken the frog and left!

If you have a dispute with a merchant, be sure you settle it before you leave.

I should tell you that the other shops in Plaza Playacar (which is in the gated community of Playacar) were fine and the people were very nice. However, I would be cautious whenever buying with your credit card.