wildlifewarrier Posted May 10, 2019 #1 Share Posted May 10, 2019 (edited) I bought a wrist watch on board Majestic Princess last Dedember, it had a metal elasticated band which I need due to arthritic fingers, and a nice easy to read face. It was not expensive around $35. I didnt wear it until early January and on the first wear the strap broke. I also noticed it ran slow. I took to a repairer and paid $ 15 to have the band repaired. The battery replacement was $25, so all up I had spent more than the watch cost. On contacting Princess customer service I was told I needed to send in the watch, along with the receipts for repair and the original for when bought. Unfortunately we could not find either the receipts or shipboard statements for the item. I was told that the the ship had checked the copies of items bought on board and that I I had only paid $11 for the watch! I am sure there are no wristwatches for $11! The customer services then offered me $25 as a ‘goodwill gesture’ which I refused as it was an insult. To add to the woes, the replacement battery made no difference, the watch still continued to be slow. So it would appear the watch was faulty from the beginning. The moral of the story is to be sure to keep receipts and copies of on board statements for anything bought on board the ships. Edited May 10, 2019 by wildlifewarrier typing mistakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDG 41 Posted May 10, 2019 #2 Share Posted May 10, 2019 You should've taken the $25. It was all your fault non on Princess's Part. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted May 10, 2019 #3 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I can’t believe the battery cost almost as much as the watch. 😳 I never paid more then $10.00 for a watch battery. I think you should have taken the $25.00. Tony 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinbadThePorter Posted May 10, 2019 #4 Share Posted May 10, 2019 (edited) Sorry if I sound overly critical, but you paid $35 for a watch from a shop on a cruise ship and are surprised that it turned out to be a load of junk. I can understand buying booze or cigarettes so long as you know your shore prices, but I can't understand why people would buy watches and jewellery while on a cruise. Buy them on land where you will likely get a better price, better quality and have a wider range to choose from. Yes, you should have taken the $25. You shouldn't let money insult you. Edited May 10, 2019 by SinbadThePorter 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted May 10, 2019 #5 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I forgot to ask did you buy the watch from Roman the Princess watch guy? I’m sorry I couldn’t help myself 😁 Tony 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caribill Posted May 10, 2019 #6 Share Posted May 10, 2019 4 hours ago, wildlifewarrier said: I was told that the the ship had checked the copies of items bought on board and that I I had only paid $11 for the watch! I am sure there are no wristwatches for $11! They usually have some for $10 on every cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted May 10, 2019 #7 Share Posted May 10, 2019 7 minutes ago, caribill said: They usually have some for $10 on every cruise. A "Two-bob watch" but with inflation they are now $10.🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUT2407 Posted May 10, 2019 #8 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I’ve bought a couple of watches on cruises been happy every time but you need to know your product and prices. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aus Traveller Posted May 10, 2019 #9 Share Posted May 10, 2019 40 minutes ago, GUT2407 said: I’ve bought a couple of watches on cruises been happy every time but you need to know your product and prices. We have also bought a couple of watches and also some jewellery (prior to Effy stores). The prices were either very good, good or OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwendy Posted May 10, 2019 #10 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I bought a watch onboard once, cheap as chips, but pretty. Lasted 6 months, got my value out of it. Be aware you have no real comeback, if spending big money buy from a reputable jeweller. On another note I bought a ‘Rolex” in Istanbul from the genuine fake watch company, paid €15, that was in 2014, still working fine, replaced battery once. Some of the “gold” is peeling off now. Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissP22 Posted May 10, 2019 #11 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Both of my $10 watches bought 3 years ago on Princess are still working even after my DH having to replace the 25 cent batteries. He just received another order (10 pack) of ag1 batteries purchased online for $2.15 with free shipping included. They're great for wearing to the pool or beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmak8 Posted May 10, 2019 #12 Share Posted May 10, 2019 The 10 dollar watches are great especially for travel. The watches last long enough for my $10. No problem tossing them out, either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bemis12 Posted May 10, 2019 #13 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Can I have your $25? I'm OK with being insulted. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNRcruisers Posted May 10, 2019 #14 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Back on our first cruise in 1990 hubby and I both bought Swatch watches. They were a fun souvenir and lasted many years, but they weren't really cheap. If I buy the stuff in shops I don't really expect it to be high quality, especially the inexpensive watches, although I understand why you are disappointed. I actually think Princess offering $25 was pretty generous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg4502 Posted May 10, 2019 #15 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I bought one of the $10 watches. It worked good, had it a couple of years. I used it for going ashore, that way if someone wanted to borrow it, no big deal. Well on the last cruise, the battery died. So it did a triple twist and a half gainer off the balcony somewhere if the Pacific. They had another $10 sale, so now have new shore watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MixerDave Posted May 10, 2019 #16 Share Posted May 10, 2019 On a recent RCCL sailing, the room steward accidentally broke the chain on a necklace I had bought my wife. A ships officer took the chain to one of their on board shops to see if they could replace it. They said they could not because our chain was real gold. They generously gave us $350 on board credit. We returned home and had the chain repaired for $20. The jeweler said many people come in for repairs and find out the jewelry they bought on a ship was gold plated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45LC Posted May 10, 2019 #17 Share Posted May 10, 2019 11 hours ago, SinbadThePorter said: I can't understand why people would buy watches and jewellery while on a cruise. Buy them on land where you will likely get a better price, better quality and have a wider range to choose from. Well, sometimes the watches on display at the ship's store are pretty and are not easily found ashore! I have bought watches for my wife on-board, and have been happy with the price and quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted May 10, 2019 #18 Share Posted May 10, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, Gwendy said: On another note I bought a ‘Rolex” in Istanbul from the genuine fake watch company, paid €15, that was in 2014, still working fine, replaced battery once. Some of the “gold” is peeling off now. Lol. Gwendy, if it looks like this ROLEXXX it could be worth at least $20.00 now. 😳😁 Tony Edited May 10, 2019 by Lucky TGO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDDY0827 Posted May 10, 2019 #19 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Father-in-law bought one in Tijuana years ago. I opened the back and it said "0 JEWELS". Haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDDY0827 Posted May 10, 2019 #20 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Hey Capt. Tony- Do they sell these in the fine jewelry shop on the Rowboat, and if so, can you tell us about the return policy? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted May 10, 2019 #21 Share Posted May 10, 2019 18 minutes ago, EDDY0827 said: Hey Capt. Tony- Do they sell these in the fine jewelry shop on the Rowboat, and if so, can you tell us about the return policy? Thanks! EDDY, We sure do and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Nothing but the BEST on The Rowboat 😁. This is the one I own myself. The Captain of The Rowboat, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrak Posted May 10, 2019 #22 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Love the Submariner. Yours is prettier but this one is mine. I inherited it from a dear friend who died much too early. He always wanted a Rolex and when he inherited some cash went to a jewelry store in Sacramento and purchased this one. I even have the paperwork. I remember a post by a person who had purchased several watches at the $10 watch sale and was really upset to find that the high tech watches she had purchased had a bunch of dummy buttons that did nothing at all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denmarks Posted May 10, 2019 #23 Share Posted May 10, 2019 18 hours ago, wildlifewarrier said: I bought a wrist watch on board Majestic Princess last Dedember, it had a metal elasticated band which I need due to arthritic fingers, and a nice easy to read face. It was not expensive around $35. I didnt wear it until early January and on the first wear the strap broke. I also noticed it ran slow. I took to a repairer and paid $ 15 to have the band repaired. The battery replacement was $25, so all up I had spent more than the watch cost. On contacting Princess customer service I was told I needed to send in the watch, along with the receipts for repair and the original for when bought. Unfortunately we could not find either the receipts or shipboard statements for the item. I was told that the the ship had checked the copies of items bought on board and that I I had only paid $11 for the watch! I am sure there are no wristwatches for $11! The customer services then offered me $25 as a ‘goodwill gesture’ which I refused as it was an insult. To add to the woes, the replacement battery made no difference, the watch still continued to be slow. So it would appear the watch was faulty from the beginning. The moral of the story is to be sure to keep receipts and copies of on board statements for anything bought on board the ships. The cheap watches sold on the balcony tables are junk. For a good watch go to the jewelry shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted May 10, 2019 #24 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I hire a person onboard to follow me around and tell me the time at my request. The bad part is they wear one of those $10 watches that run slow. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoCruisers Posted May 10, 2019 #25 Share Posted May 10, 2019 A year ago I bought two watches while on the Caribbean Princess. They were from the fine watch shop and were both Citizen Eco-Drive watches. I got them for my wife and my grand-daughter. The watches were on sale and I got an additional 10% off for being Elite. The best part is that I had a ton of ship board credit so I paid nothing for the watches! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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