Invicta watches on board, SCAM !!!

[Vlad]

Anyone knows if possible to get refund or maybe file some kind of official complaint? 

Just came from the cruise on a oasis. Bought a watch, brand Invicta. Was talked into buying it since it was advertised $495, on sale for up to 75% off for $149. And find out at home it's a total scam!!! Regular price on both Amazon and Invicta websites are way under $100...NOT $495!!! THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM ON INVICTA WATCHES. 

Bought a lot of stuff on Royal, including alcohol, cigarettes, makeup, etc. 

Never got scammed so bad... 

Payed at least 150% of the price, while being assured it's actually a fraction of the cost. 

[Gary Pheasey]

I wouldn't call it a scam.  I bought an Invicta watch onboard a few years ago which was originally priced at about $400 and was on sale for about $150.  When you look online you are seeing "End of line" deals.  These appear to be the ones that Royal sells onboard also.  So the price posted "was" the original price when the watch was first launched, but because it is now not being produced any longer it is reduced.  You will find the same watch on the likes of Amazon at similar prices but if you look at the Invicta site you will see that they were originally at the higher price.  The lesson here is that you should shop around and go online and see where else you can get it but I think the word scam is a bit stong!

[RCIfan1912]

Invicta is the scam, cheap Chinese watches they put a huge MSRP on but are on sale 100% of the time, in other words no one pays MSRP for their garbage. Same with MVTM, they don't have sales but its just cheap 15 dollar Chinese watches they sell for 150+. 

[ChessE4]

2 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Invicta is the scam, cheap Chinese watches they put a huge MSRP on but are on sale 100% of the time, in other words no one pays MSRP for their garbage. Same with MVTM, they don't have sales but its just cheap 15 dollar Chinese watches they sell for 150+. 

Yes, which is why I stick to the $10 watches on my cruises.  They last a year or two and then I replace them.  I have my shopping fun without a lot of risk!

[cruisellama]

Caveat Emptor  (a reason to maintain some internet connectivity - double check prices both on/off board)

[tonyfsu21]

2 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Invicta is the scam, cheap Chinese watches they put a huge MSRP on but are on sale 100% of the time, in other words no one pays MSRP for their garbage. Same with MVTM, they don't have sales but its just cheap 15 dollar Chinese watches they sell for 150+. 

This hits the nail on the head. Invicta is the scam. Please don’t waste your money on this garbage. 

[MikeK]

Tie a rope and chain to your Invicta and use it for a boat anchor!

[smokeybandit]

Definitely not a scam. They weren't selling you fake watches. Just you have a preconceived notion that you'd be getting a great deal just because it's on a cruise ship.

 

Always do your homework.  Just like the liquor stores. I've rarely ever seen any good deals there. The only things that catch my eye are bottles that are hard to find in my neck of the woods.

[Thorntor]

I like watches and Invicta watches have a "Love - Hate" following.  Bought my first Invicta watch on a cruise and upon getting home, found it on Amazon 33% cheaper.  I have found that they keep good time, however.  Bought second Invicta from Amazon and it lasted a little over a year before one of the hands fell off.  Just bought my third from Amazon for $52 on sale.  It too keeps good time (Better than my $2000 Tag Huer or my $600 Citizen).  I expect it will last a bout a year, but for $52 I can't complain.

[Floski]

They got me in 2016 - pretty much the same pricing as the OP states.  I was mad when I found out, but live and learn.

 

However, it is a beautiful watch and I get a ton of compliments for it.   I wish it wouldn't stop if I go for a day without wearing it.

[Rob&Ana]

But they come in really great boxes....and they do look kind of expensive....

[WAYNO]

Yep.  Good info above.  I wouldn't call it a scam.  They're just charging what folks will step up to pay.  Do your price research on anything you buy.  I've not found too many real deals on a cruise.

 

But, I don't cruise to be a cheapskate.  I buy what I think the folks at home will like, knowing it came from the ship, or from a Caribbean vendor. 

[Palm Tree Mike]

The Invicta Quartz Watch movements are made in Japan where even far pricier brands are. And Invicta was bought out by a Hollywood Florida company. I have six that i am very happy with that i bought on the Invicta website invictastores.com. Just don't believe all the retail prices shown. But we just got back from doing a four and five night back to backs on Brilliance Of The Seas where i spotted a watch in the shops i had been looking for quite some time; the Invicta Pro Diver which was out of stock everywhere and out of production. Well the price tag read $995 which i knew was a joke since Invicta retailed it as a $300 watch that i could have gotten on their website for $80 if available. But wanting that big thick, heavy clunker of a watch i shelled out $156. so I'm happy. Just would suggest if you see a watch your interested in on any cruise ship you check it out on line first before purchasing. But of course Royal is probably charging you for that wifi.

[tonyfsu21]

Invicta is horrific. I enjoy nice quality watches and the word “Invicta” is off limits in my house. I don’t get it. 

[PG Cruiser]

On 10/25/2021 at 12:30 PM, Floski said:

However, it is a beautiful watch and I get a ton of compliments for it.   I wish it wouldn't stop if I go for a day without wearing it.

Isn't there like a winder that you can use to keep it going even if you're not wearing it?

[Flowrider]

Not really a scam when you see in the shop that they have a price match guarantee.  I believe it’s 30 days from your sailing that you can claim it.

[Floski]

On 2/11/2022 at 10:59 PM, PG Cruiser said:

Isn't there like a winder that you can use to keep it going even if you're not wearing it?

Yes, there is.  If you saw the movie Dr. Strange, he had drawers full of watches on those moving thingies.

I just don't feel like buying one.  Sometimes, to me, it's just silly to have to buy some things that really 

shouldn't be needed.

 

Oh - I found it:   

[OutToSea]

who wears a watch anymore. I get there when I get there

 

[greenline627]

Invicta was re-established in 1991 when the brand was acquired by American owners. While the corporate headquarters for Invicta is located in Hollywood, Florida, Invicta still produces some of its line in Switzerland, and specifies these watches as "Swiss Made" on its website.

Most of the Invicta watches are made in China, and the watch movements are Japanese NH35A. Some Invicta watches are made in Swiss, and the movements are swiss sellita SW500 or SW200. Both materials make the watch penny worthy.

I have two of them and they both have been in the waters of the Caribbean and the waters of Bermuda plus hot tubs on the ships and they work fine and keep good time.

[silenttuba]

I don't think it's fair to call Invite watches a "scam", they are what they are; cheap watches. I have an Invite "Pro Diver" mechanical watch that I've had for years, picked up on Amazon for about $90. I like it. I got it because I think mechanical watches are cool, but didn't really want to spend a ton of money. I've had it for about 7 years, wearing it daily for much of that time. It keeps decent time, and looks nice (it's a clone of a Rolex Submarine). I don't regret buying it, and I certainly think I've gotten my money's worth from it at this point. And if I'm honest, I probably would feel the same way even if I had paid $150. It's not fancy, but it's a solid watch. I recently got an Apple Watch and have been wearing that, but for the cruise, I will probably wear my Invicta.

 

 

[bobroo]

Yes, the watches and the jewelry sold onboard is a scam. Park West and their art auctions are also a scam. The whole premise of Casino Royal is a scam. IMO the most egregious scam of all onboard is Chops.

 

The choices folks make while on vacation are not always the same choices they would make at home. 

 

 

[alamode123]

15 hours ago, bobroo said:

Yes, the watches and the jewelry sold onboard is a scam. Park West and their art auctions are also a scam. The whole premise of Casino Royal is a scam. IMO the most egregious scam of all onboard is Chops.

 

The choices folks make while on vacation are not always the same choices they would make at home.

I bought Disney prints from Park West, but I knew the prices beforehand. Got them framed on the ship for the unframed price at Walt Disney World.

Park West is an auction. If you know what you're bidding on you can get good deals.

[Raffa]

I will never, ever, ever, ever again purchased a single item on board Royal Caribbean Cruise ships. They are a TOTAL fraud, and waste of money. Purchased an Invicta pro diver ss 40 Gold Band and I was told it cost $495.00 was 70% off for $149.00 What a joke it actually sells on land for $49.00 at any store. When I emailed Royal Caribbean and complained about this they didn't even answer my email. I guess the buyer beware model is alive and kicking at Royal Caribbean offices. PLEASE BE AWARE THERE IS NOTHING NOTHING worse than been taken for a ride with a huge company doing the fraud. Save your money and don't waste it on Royal Caribbean it all. If they gave a crap about their customers they would at least respond to the complaint. Well I guess the next time one of their staff members asked me to buy a watch on board, I'm goin to make sure I give them a piece of my mind in front of all the other guest, and make sure that everyone knows what a big FRAUD and SCAM they are doing to their guest. 

[wordell1]

1 hour ago, Raffa said:

I will never, ever, ever, ever again purchased a single item on board Royal Caribbean Cruise ships. They are a TOTAL fraud, and waste of money. Purchased an Invicta pro diver ss 40 Gold Band and I was told it cost $495.00 was 70% off for $149.00 What a joke it actually sells on land for $49.00 at any store. When I emailed Royal Caribbean and complained about this they didn't even answer my email. I guess the buyer beware model is alive and kicking at Royal Caribbean offices. PLEASE BE AWARE THERE IS NOTHING NOTHING worse than been taken for a ride with a huge company doing the fraud. Save your money and don't waste it on Royal Caribbean it all. If they gave a crap about their customers they would at least respond to the complaint. Well I guess the next time one of their staff members asked me to buy a watch on board, I'm goin to make sure I give them a piece of my mind in front of all the other guest, and make sure that everyone knows what a big FRAUD and SCAM they are doing to their guest. 

It's not a fraud, or a scam. You received what you bought for a price you agreed to. Be mad at yourself if you want, its not like a quick Google search would have given you pricing online. Not mention that the information was available in this very thread.

I don't think Royal is exactly secretive about trying to make additional revenue.

I can get a bottle of Heineken for $4 at plenty of bars near.my house, and a whole case for $27.99 at Costco. It's $8 on the ship. I still buy it and I'm not being ripped off because they tell me that before I order.

[nferr]

1 hour ago, Raffa said:

I will never, ever, ever, ever again purchased a single item on board Royal Caribbean Cruise ships. They are a TOTAL fraud, and waste of money. Purchased an Invicta pro diver ss 40 Gold Band and I was told it cost $495.00 was 70% off for $149.00 What a joke it actually sells on land for $49.00 at any store. When I emailed Royal Caribbean and complained about this they didn't even answer my email. I guess the buyer beware model is alive and kicking at Royal Caribbean offices. PLEASE BE AWARE THERE IS NOTHING NOTHING worse than been taken for a ride with a huge company doing the fraud. Save your money and don't waste it on Royal Caribbean it all. If they gave a crap about their customers they would at least respond to the complaint. Well I guess the next time one of their staff members asked me to buy a watch on board, I'm goin to make sure I give them a piece of my mind in front of all the other guest, and make sure that everyone knows what a big FRAUD and SCAM they are doing to their guest. 

Whoever said what you buy onboard a cruise ship is going to be the lowest price you can find anywhere including online vendors who have little overhead? Do a little research before you buy. Early this year I was looking at an Omega watch onboard that I was interested in. I googled extensively and you know what...the onboard price was about the best I found. I didn't buy it just because it was a very expensive luxury buy and I have multiple luxury watches. But calling something a FRAUD and waste of money is silly.

[OrlandoDad]

On land...when you see someone with an Invicta watch, you can assume with a pretty high degree of certainty they are a Royal Caribbean cruiser.  

But I agree with above...not a scam or fraud.  You liked the watch, you bought it.  

BTW...I've bought an Invicta watch for my youngish son on board.  He wanted it because he liked it.  I was under no impression it was a super deal at 80% off or some other such nonsense.  Basically a souvenir for him and he enjoyed the compliments on board with that giant watch on his wrist, while I offered him $10 to 'Titanic' that thing once I saw how silly it looked on him (throw it overboard ala Rose).   Kidding about throwing overboard, of course.

But, on your next cruise, you can make a scene all you want if it will make you feel better.  Chances are you will not cost them one single sale, and just make a cruise line employee, who likely does not set the prices, have a worse day than they might have otherwise been having.  But your call.

[OCSC Mike]

21 minutes ago, OrlandoDad said:

On land...when you see someone with an Invicta watch, you can assume with a pretty high degree of certainty they are a Royal Caribbean cruiser.  

That's pretty funny. I have a pretty old Invicta that I bought on Amazon for like $55 as a cheap watch that I didn't mind wearing everyday, scratching, etc. It's an automatic and surpisingly still running after quite a while.

It's a Rolex knock-off. I was at one of the big outlets here (I'm sure you're aware of them given your handle) and in one of the watch shops the salesman from a distance actually asked if it was a Rolex.  I said, no, it's my P.O.S. Invicta but it looks like one, doesn't it?

[Jolly Ogre]

Invicta...heh

 

Go into one of the ports best is St Marteen or Cozmel where you can get a real deal and talk to the merchants. I got a great deal on a Philip Stein.

[OCSC Mike]

17 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said:

Invicta...heh

 

Go into one of the ports best is St Marteen or Cozmel where you can get a real deal and talk to the merchants. I got a great deal on a Philip Stein.

Yep, good deals can be found but it helps to know what you're looking at and talking about.

[USFFrank]

It's not a cruise without an Invicta Watch sale.

[twangster]

There is always something nice about buying something on vacation and every time you look at it it brings you right back to that moment where and when you bought it.

Sometimes that means paying a premium for a vacation memoir.   

In this day and age you can always find something cheaper online compared to what it costs in a retail store, brick and mortar or steel and sea.  Chances are that bargain on Amazon is a fake.  I've never looked at an online purchase, like my Apple watch, and remembered the moment I bought it, where I was, who I was with, did I use my phone or my laptop to do it?  etc.  There are simple things like a fridge magnet that bring me right back to the ship where I bought it.  I probably could have found something like it on eBay, but what fun is that?

[Captain Nemo]

Hi,

I bought a Invicta watch on cruse not so far.... Awfull watch... Dial not working good, water goes inside...

NEVER EVER.

In comparison, I had a Swiss Army watch for 14 years!!! Change the batery every 3 years...Still working!!!

But thank you for all the opinions here... I will just put this watch in the garbage... Because Invicta charge you to check the watch if you want to make apply the warranty..

Sorry for my bad english, I'm french

[OCSC Mike]

42 minutes ago, Captain Nemo said:

I bought a Invicta watch on cruse not so far.... Awfull watch... Dial not working good, water goes inside...

NEVER EVER.

My automatic Invicta bought from Amazon for like $65 as a cheapo everyday watch that I didn't mind getting scratched and didn't expect to last is going strong after 12 years somehow.

[FSUFAN]

I bought an Invicta Pro Diver on Amazon during the last Black  Friday type sale. Paid $34 for it. It's fine. I saw them on the ship but didn't ask about the price but figured they were north of $100.

I will never figure out buying anything on the ship. I can buy booze on sale at the local liquor store, when on sale, cheaper.  And when I lived in Florida, Costco liquor crushed everything. Here in TN, screwy liquor laws keep the prices up.

I still travel back to Florida to see friends. I always hit Costco liquor and usually bring back a few boxes of various liquor. Whisky, vodka, rum, tequila, scotch and more for myself and friends. Name brand stuff and Kirkland brand.

[mac66]

Ever hear the old saying caveat emptor  "buyer be aware"?

I always enjoy looking at the Invicta watches when on board. Some are really cool looking but I would never buy one as I know the prices are highly inflated.  Besides, my wife bought me a Pulsar Solar watch as an anniversary gift 35+ years ago. It's never needed to be wound and still runs fine. I wear it all the time even while diving. It's scratched, worn and pretty beat up now.  It's my forever watch.

As for buying booze on board. I've found that you can buy 1 liter bottles of bourbon/scotch on board for what .75 Liter go for at home. I would guess that is because of the taxes at home.   Sometimes the liter bottles go for 2/$50 or 2/$60 and is a good deal when the small bottles typically run $27-37 ea at home. You do have to know what your looking at however.

[Pattycruise]

I can't imagine wasting my cruise time by going back to a shop-and loudly complaining about the pricing.  It wouldn't be a pretty picture either-what purpose will it serve?  To make you look bad, make the seller feel bad?  It surely isn't going to make an impact on the pricing.  Even if you quietly speak to the manager of the shop-which would be the better alternative if  you feel the need to make a complaint-it will not change how they conduct business as they have no control over the pricing of the items.

[cruisellama]

On 10/25/2021 at 8:47 AM, MikeK said:

Tie a rope and chain to your Invicta and use it for a boat anchor!

But it comes in such a nice box (probably costs more than the watch).

[BigKarl]

On 2/13/2022 at 11:54 AM, OutToSea said:

who wears a watch anymore. I get there when I get there

 

When I retire next year I am planning on not caring what time or what day it is. Unless it involves boarding my next cruise ship!

[GJ_123]

I agree it's a grey area, but it definitely verges on a scam. They clearly inflate the RRPs to make you think you are getting a good deal, which is quite cheeky. I almost bought a watch onboard which they claimed had an RRP of $650, yet on the Invicta site RRP was $200... so the $650 was completely invented! You have to remember on cruise ships there are no trading standards and they know plenty of people won't check, that's why the watch 'sales' still run. Always check the price online.

Even with handbags etc. which they are claiming are 'tax free', always take a quick look online and I guarantee most of the time you'd be cheaper just getting it after the cruise.