Watch Brands on RCI

[looking4info]

Hello All...May I just jump in and try to point out a couple of things that many might, or, might not know.

 

Most of the watches that we all think we're getting so cheap on an RCCL ship are actually cheaper in most cases elsewhere, even if you have to pay sales tax.

 

I have over 125 Invicta watches, I can tell you without any hesitation, that almost every Invicta watch on the ship is more than what I've paid for the exact same watch on one of the shopping channels. On our most recent cruise, I brought 8 different Invicta watches with me, and, checked to see if the ship were selling the exact same models. Out of the 8 I brought, the ship had 5 of the same watches, and, all 5 were more than what I paid on the shopping channel. One in particular was $200 more on the ship.

 

I've seen other watch brands that are also less money on the this one shopping channel than on the ship. There is no way I would purchase a watch on the ship cause the ship shows the the exact Retail Price that is sky high, then, takes a percentage off, while the shopping channel already has these watches reduced, the, takes the about the same percentage off as the ship...thus, the shopping channel is cheaper almost all the time.

 

Whatever anyone decides, the rule of thumb is just be careful, and check out as many options for the same item as possible.

 

Have to agree 100% with this post. While I own only 15 Invictas I do check the ship pricing everytime I am on and I have yet to find a better deal on a ship. There is also a well know website that sells watches and their pricing beats the ships also.

 

Last cruise I saw a ceramic Citizen on the ship that I really liked. Shopped it in San Juan and saved $160 from the ships price. Also did an internet search that showed I had saved $60 from the lowest price found. Two sources beat the ships price.

 

As stated check your options.

[tahqa]

Hello All...May I just jump in and try to point out a couple of things that many might, or, might not know.

 

Most of the watches that we all think we're getting so cheap on an RCCL ship are actually cheaper in most cases elsewhere, even if you have to pay sales tax.

 

I have over 125 Invicta watches, I can tell you without any hesitation, that almost every Invicta watch on the ship is more than what I've paid for the exact same watch on one of the shopping channels. On our most recent cruise, I brought 8 different Invicta watches with me, and, checked to see if the ship were selling the exact same models. Out of the 8 I brought, the ship had 5 of the same watches, and, all 5 were more than what I paid on the shopping channel. One in particular was $200 more on the ship.

 

I've seen other watch brands that are also less money on the this one shopping channel than on the ship. There is no way I would purchase a watch on the ship cause the ship shows the the exact Retail Price that is sky high, then, takes a percentage off, while the shopping channel already has these watches reduced, the, takes the about the same percentage off as the ship...thus, the shopping channel is cheaper almost all the time.

 

Whatever anyone decides, the rule of thumb is just be careful, and check out as many options for the same item as possible.

 

Invicta is almost a special case. They routinely inflate their MSRP and allow retailers to offer deep discounts. I can typically find Invictas on Amazon for 75% to 90% off of MSRP. I think they do this so people can brag about what a great price they got on a watch. :confused:

 

Anyways... watches are pretty much like anything else you can buy on a cruise ship. Yes, you can get great prices, but do your homework and don't assume that you automatically will get great prices.

Edited February 14, 2014 by tahqa

[north29]

Hello All...May I just jump in and try to point out a couple of things that many might, or, might not know.

 

Most of the watches that we all think we're getting so cheap on an RCCL ship are actually cheaper in most cases elsewhere, even if you have to pay sales tax.

 

I have over 125 Invicta watches, I can tell you without any hesitation, that almost every Invicta watch on the ship is more than what I've paid for the exact same watch on one of the shopping channels. On our most recent cruise, I brought 8 different Invicta watches with me, and, checked to see if the ship were selling the exact same models. Out of the 8 I brought, the ship had 5 of the same watches, and, all 5 were more than what I paid on the shopping channel. One in particular was $200 more on the ship.

 

I've seen other watch brands that are also less money on the this one shopping channel than on the ship. There is no way I would purchase a watch on the ship cause the ship shows the the exact Retail Price that is sky high, then, takes a percentage off, while the shopping channel already has these watches reduced, the, takes the about the same percentage off as the ship...thus, the shopping channel is cheaper almost all the time.

 

Whatever anyone decides, the rule of thumb is just be careful, and check out as many options for the same item as possible.

 

On some brands, I bought a Invicta Grand mariner Look alike at Sams club, for !09 plus tax, the exact same model on RCI ships is around $150. However certain models of Citizens seem to be cheaper on the ships, however cannot speak for port prices. I have bargained a deal on a Citizen, on one of the Islands, St Thomas I think, at a small dealer, not DI or any of the RC approved shops.

[CamaCama]

I got a nice fossil watch on our last cruise on Liberty in Jan... same price as at home BUT no tax!

[Scootch]

I like a bold watch so I like Michael Kors; I have 4 of his watches. I agree w/ others, wait for the watch sale. I believe I paid approx. $250 for each of my MK watches and around $600 for the Invicta I bought for our son.

 

Happy sailing~

[P&C4/16/67]

DH bought an S. Coifman (Invicta's Swiss made brand) for $239 msrp $999. He searched online when we got home and said he did OK. Not great, but OK.

[Rescuedogs2]

I wouldn't buy a watch on a ship again. The "silver" wore off in just a few months. Cheap.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[jcl410]

I wouldn't buy a watch on a ship again. The "silver" wore off in just a few months. Cheap.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

What brand was it? Was it one of the $10 specials?

 

Did you contact the cruise line for a replacement or refund?

 

Aloha,

 

John

[Rescuedogs2]

You know, it was an inexpensive off brand. It looked pretty while it lasted, but not worth enough for me to try for a refund.:)

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[zaknzoey]

Yes, do your research before you buy on the ship.

 

Just off of Serenade. I purchased an Invicta watch onboard for 199.00, at their "75% off" sale. :rolleyes: Found the model I bought online for a little less than that, but I did buy one of the Special Edition watches that has the RC logo on the back and the name of the ship on it, so that was cool! :cool:

 

and the salesman did point out that the ship was the only place to purchase these. (ebay anyone?)

 

So, I'm not unhappy with the purchase and I do like the watch. By the way, the Special Edition Invicta watches come in a box the size of a small briefcase! Kinda cool. :D

[Rescuedogs2]

Good to know! I will no doubt find myself looking at the shopping deals on the ship again soon:) I wonder how the shopping is in Cabo and Puerto Vallarta? I'll find out in a few weeks!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[krev]

The last time that I bought a Citizen watch I got much better pricing on both St. Thomas and St. Maarten than what they wanted for it on the ship. Pricing on the islands is negotiable. It is not aboard ship.

 

 

When we were on Serenade my husband and I were looking at citizen watches, we were told they would match any price we were given on shore. They even got the model I wanted when they restocked on St Thomas, good service and prices.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Ocean Boy]

When we were on Serenade my husband and I were looking at citizen watches, we were told they would match any price we were given on shore. They even got the model I wanted when they restocked on St Thomas, good service and prices.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

I understand the price matching but I don't buy into it. If you want my business then give me your best price. If someone else gives me a better price then you lost my business. And besides, I have no intetions of jumping through the hoops of getting the price from a merchant in writing and going back to a previous merchant and giving them a second shot at the sale. It just isn't how I do business.

[krev]

I understand the price matching but I don't buy into it. If you want my business then give me your best price. If someone else gives me a better price then you lost my business. And besides, I have no intetions of jumping through the hoops of getting the price from a merchant in writing and going back to a previous merchant and giving them a second shot at the sale. It just isn't how I do business.

 

 

I actually agree with you completely, I was just replying to the person that said the ship doesn't wheel and deal, they actually do. We bought our watches on shore, my husbands on St Maarten and mine St Thomas. The salesman did get the watch I wanted but I had already bought mine.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[cruise_control]

The last time that I bought a Citizen watch I got much better pricing on both St. Thomas and St. Maarten than what they wanted for it on the ship. Pricing on the islands is negotiable. It is not aboard ship.

 

I agree completely. I got a great deal on my Citizen on St. Thomas. If you can't negotiate the deal you want at one jewelry shop, just go to the next one. ;)

[Scaprioli12]

You do save some money i purchased a Tag Aquaracer saved over 600 dollars compared to local dealer's in my state. Don't forget no sales tax.

[Chipmoose]

On 2/13/2014 at 8:15 PM, The Sain said:

 

I did complete a customs form for my on board purchase but never was asked to pay taxes when I went through customs...anyone know why?

 

I just got off a Southern Caribbean cruise Thanksgiving day.  We were told we didn't have to fill out customs declaration forms, and when we went through customs, we were never asked anything other than for our passport & license, and then told okay we were cleared to go. I don't have an answer why though.

[John&LaLa]

47 minutes ago, Chipmoose said:

 

I just got off a Southern Caribbean cruise Thanksgiving day.  We were told we didn't have to fill out customs declaration forms, and when we went through customs, we were never asked anything other than for our passport & license, and then told okay we were cleared to go. I don't have an answer why though.

 

As recently as last year, Royal would turn in a form to customs showing onboard purchases in excess of limits.  When you went to depart ship an alarm would sound and they would escort you to customs.  This was both in PC and PE.

 

I also remember a customs agent admiring my shiny TAG Heur.  He asked to see the buckle.  Said he could tell if it was a new purchase based on scuff marks.  😱  I was ok.

[fla gang]

On 2/13/2014 at 4:29 PM, Mapleleafforever said:

I've often wondered if the watches were a good deal on board or not. Are they?

I get a better deal on Invicta at the land based stores. I only buy the ones with Swiss movement.I also get a better deal on the Citizen Eco-Drive at Kohls when I get 30% off. The girl on the Harmony tried to tell me that all Invicta's are Swiss movement. I just walked away.