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REVIEW:
Catalyst Apple Watch Underwater
Case for Apple Watch
Want to protect your Apple Watch?
So did I. But Catalyst products suck.
Don't Buy Chinese Products. THEY WILL FAIL. Period.
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.
Products don't get any worse than this. They simply do not.
After I re-boxed this piece of junk, a friend asked me if
he
could
have it
or buy it. I refused. Because he is a friend.
I wanted to protect my Apple Watch series 4 while snorkeling, so I bought a Catalyst Apple Watch Underwater Case.
I received it, went through the motions with it, hated it.
I tried to post my review on the Catalyst website so others could read it and decide for themselves. I assigned it two stars. Incredibly, however, it appeared as though only 4 star and up reviews would be accepted by the site. No matter what I tried, the website wouldn't process my two star review, but it obviously processed all the five star reviews. That pissed me off as much as the case did, and it prompted me to post this review here, where it will residue forever and won't be subject to the highly questionable policies or whims of the Catalyst company. I really, truly hate that crap.
Here's the review. Take it or leave it. On the Catalyst website, as of this writing, you will only find reviews from folks who are positively giddy about the product. Real reviews, or fake? You judge.
Review of the Catalyst Apple Watch Waterproof Case
Immediately upon taking it out of the box I was dumbfounded to realize that I couldn't use my handsome, expensive Apple watch band. I never dreamed a case would force me to swap out the band and use their cheesy rubber band THAT USES OLD FASHIONED PINS! I was amazed, stunned, and supremely pissed at the moment I saw that. I can't count how many watches I've lost in my lifetime due to failed band pins. It used to be that whenever I got a new watch I went straight to any local Seiko dealer and bought Seiko pins because it was generally acknowledged that they were a bit stronger than the normal pins. Of course they still failed but not quite.....as often as a pin you'd get with a Casio or something like that. In later years I used military style nylon strap bands that will keep the watch on your wrist even if (when) one pin failed. Those have proven foolproof. Unfortunately, you can't use those on an Apple watch due to the sensor on the backside. When I first saw how Apple had decided to attach their bands (almost certainly because they finally understood that pins don't work), I was 70% sold on buying an Apple watch on that one point alone. No one wants to lose a good watch, which is why I bought an underwater case to protect it. Perhaps I've gained some measure of security by waterproofing the watch (assuming this case actually works), but I've lost MORE than that measure of security by giving up the Apple band system and being forced to go back to the ancient and very flawed pin system of attaching bands to a watch. Why would a manufacturer do this? I have no damned clue. It's two steps forward and three steps backwards. I remain profoundly pissed due to that one issue alone.
I had this turkey shipped to me in SE Asia. I paid the absurd price for the case, then I paid nearly that much again for shipping, then another absurd fee for duty import taxes into the country I am currently in. Had it not been for all those non-recoverable fees, I would have INSTANTLY sent this thing back for a refund. Instantly. No debates. --Just because of this stupid and outdated method of attaching the band to the watch. This WILL fail, sooner or later. If you have a watch that's attached by pins and you haven't lost it, you must be a sedentary college professor with no life whatsoever.
I then looked at the instructions. It told me to disassemble the case. So I did. Then it told me to submerge the ASSEMBLED case underwater for 30 minutes to test it. So I reassembled the case, wondering all the while what the instructions-author was smoking. As of this writing, the case is underwater in a big pot, waiting for a one hour timer to run out.
One thing that has struck me is that the membrane that covers the heart sensor on the back of the watch case is so incredibly thin and soft (about like a condom) that I will be AMAZED if it lasts. I suspect it will simply wear through, especially if you ever have to do any normal outside work (are you a gardener? Do you sometimes wash your car?) which will get your hands dirty. It was required to make it super thin in order to try to maintain the functionality of the heart rate sensor. But does the heart sensor even work now? I'll find out shortly. However, were "I" the engineer on this, I would probably elect to simply forgo the heart rate sensor function completely in favor of using a backing material that would be robust and LAST. Function before form. Unfortunately, the heart sensor is quite important to many people, so it's a conundrum. I'd still rather have a product that LASTS in favor of a function that I'd hate to lose, but maybe we NEED to lose it in order to have the case perform and protect the watch in the water. If I was unable to engineer a case that was functional and ALSO robust and long lasting, I'd not make the product. If it was an easy return in which I'd only lose a few dollars shipping, I'd have returned it immediately for this one weakness (so, so far, that's two reasons I'd have for returning it.
UPDATE: The case has survived an hour at the bottom of a pot. No water inside. The real watch was installed into the case without difficulty. I am waiting now to see if the heart rate monitor will still register. My suspicion is that if the heart rate works at all, it will be spotty at best. Let's see what happens. Back in an hour or two.
Five hours later: The heart rate sensor is tracking about 35-50% as well as it did without the Catalyst case. It was sketchy originally. Now it's fairly useless. It still tracks sometimes, but with long and many gaps. Strike three.
I'm tired of reviewing this thing at this point. I could say more but I've reached my limit. Would I buy it again, knowing what I know now? Not a chance. If it was $15 US (and cheap shipping and no import duty taxes and fees) instead of four+ times that price, maybe it would be worth it to play around with on some old Apple Watch that was a cheap, old model and which I didn't care about, but you still have what I consider to be the extreme liability of the pin band, and who wants to lose even an old Apple watch?
I've looked carefully at the case -- it seems it would be a no-brainer to have molded the plastic to accept a normal Apple Watch band. But they simply didn't do it. Why? Who knows. On a five star scale, what do I rate it? 2 stars MAYBE. Absolutely no more. I'm fairly disgusted. I'm not horrified. But I'm fairly disgusted. I've not only wasted the entire sum of this transaction, but I've probably doomed myself to losing the watch in time, due to a failing band pin. This has been really not a good experience for me at all.
Here are a few other reviews I've stumbled on around the Internet, copied and pasted. This is a tiny percentage of the total victims. Now I'm terrified to use this at all. I can't send it back due to all the import duty taxes I've already paid which are never refundable, and it will cost me about as much to send it back as I will get from a refund, so this appears to be about a $200 paperweight that needs to simply go into the trash bin if I value my Apple watch at all. My opinion: This company is a true piece of shit and all its products should be avoided like the damned plague. I have decided to put my Apple watch back in the original band and I'll try to find some way to shove this product up the asses of the damned manufacturer. This is junk. They know it's junk. I believe they cull the negative (and helpful) reviews from their website. I believe they are damned liars and fraudsters and scammers:
1.0 out of 5 stars Looks tough, but it’s not!
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
The case cracked across the back after using for about a month. Never crashed while wearing it and never dropped it or slammed it. The crack losened the whole case and it won’t even stay shut. The only thing holding it together now is the small screw used to secure the back to front once it’s all snapped together around the watch body. I use my Apple watch for Running, Mountain Biking, Skiing and Hiking. I was super excited for this thing as the case looks great, fits super tight on the watch body and the band is way more comfortable and secure than the stock Apple watch band. Raised bevel around the face protects from scratches and impacts. The button and digital crown knob work flawlessly. Options for different colored bands make it easy to change the look. Too bad it’s so weak and cheaply made...Better that it broke now because Im pretty sure that my watch would have really taken a hit if I had crashed with this thing. Who knows, maybe it’s an anomaly as the Catalyst products always get good reviews. Try your luck I guess.
12 people found this helpful
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Doug
1.0 out of 5 stars Very weak and not waterproof. Be forewarned!
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
I have bought this product twice in two months and not by design. My first one broke within a month. I did an Amazon return which was nice. They sent me a new one to replace the broken one. I was supposed to send back the broken one to not get charged for the replacement however, the cover broke again! So I used parts from the first cover to make a complete cover again and was charged for two covers. However, the cover broke a third time two days ago! I bought this cover Apr 29 and it is July 7th and it has already broken 3 times!!!! And I am not doing anything crazy. Simple wear and it eventually breaks down. This last time my 15 mon old daughter broke it open pulling on me to pick her up.Also, when changing the cover I discovered no only did it allow water in the rubber cover but the rubber part was keeping the water around my Apple Watch. My watch started having touchscreen issues and my guess is it was from the constant contact in the water.
I had high hope for this product, especially considering the price but it just doesn’t deliver what it promises.
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San Diego
1.0 out of 5 stars IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A TOUGH DURABLE BAND DO NOT BUY THIS ONE
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
Bout this watch band because the line of work I’m in. I needed something strong and durable. My coworkers recommended this band to me so I bought it. After about 2 months the strap started to pop off and the watch would fall off. This happend about 10 times now. Most recently I almost lost it luckily the water depth I was in wasn’t that deep. IDK if the one I was sent is a defect but I highly recommend finding a different watch band. For the price I paid this band should be way more durable. And that’s why I gave it a 1 star.
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Neil Jamin
1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible quality, pins on band repeatedly fall out.
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
Looks good but it’s a piece of cheese. I’ve had it less than a week, worn it maybe 5 days and both pins on the band have already fallen out at least 4-5 times each. Luckily I noticed it, but if I didn’t my series 4 might’ve been lost for good. I thought I put them back in nice and snug so it wouldn’t happen again, but nope, it just kept popping off. Switching to the band that the watch came with because this thing is trash. I’m getting a replacement to see if that one will be better l, but from the looks of it it’s just a bad product, and many other customers seem to be having the same issue. Terrible quality. Not something you want your $500 watch sitting in because it snaps right off, and if you aren’t paying attention or if you’re in water it would be gone forever. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.
One person found this helpful
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Roy Franklin
1.0 out of 5 stars Substandard protection for Iwatch!
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
Purchased on June 26th the watch band June 28th and wanted to use it to see how it performed prior to giving a review. After doing the water test which it passed then installing the watch which was relatively easy. The button doesn’t allow for heart rate monitor but the rotating knob work as required. The speakers and vibrant and the phone function and tak to text work well and voice is not muffled on the receiving end. So far this has been a great purchase. EDIT I was happy with this then out of the blue one of the pins holding the band to the case popped out luckily I found it and put it back together and thought nothing of it but when it happened a few more times I was starting to get perturbed. Then today 26 September the case cracked and now my watch is unprotected really unhappy with this item!! This was used under normal conditions!!
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Ryan Freebern
1.0 out of 5 stars Why is there water inside my waterproof case?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
Other than the case being clunky at best, the efficacy of the product is leaving me a little baffled.
Foremost is the WATERPROOF claim. I'm a swimmer, not a diver... so I'm just at the surface of the pool. I opened the case today after about two weeks of usage to find water inside the inner silicone jacket.
The crown apparatus is semi-functional at best. To turn off the Screen Lock feature, I find I have to take the watch off my wrist and wrestle with the cases "crown" for a few minutes before I get it right.
Currently, I am not certain this case is worth the cost. My next swim, I will take the case off immediately out of the pool to see how much water is actually getting through.
Regardless, color me unimpressedEDIT: 10/5 DEFINITELY NOT WATERPROOF! THIS PRODUCT IS A SHAM AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK!
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Matthew Achin
1.0 out of 5 stars Cheap! Broke third day! Do not buy!
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
The pin broke on the third day while I was walking on the treadmill! They are hoping that you will pay the $70 and feel too awkward to say anything when it breaks way too soon. Obvious scam!There is also no way this is actually waterproof. NO WAY! It’s a loose rubber condom over the bottom half of the watch, that’s it. Water can get into the housing easy and then up in between the seal. Garbage product. Feels comfortable on the wrist tho.
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DeMario
1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money (honest review)
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
I had this watch case not even a month and out of nowhere I notice the big crack in the foundation. Mind you, I didnt do anything that would damage the watch case. Giving it the benefit of the doubt, I super glue one side and keep it moving. Next week the other side has multiple cracks again. HONESTLY, I do nothing the damage the watch and this happens again. Do not, I repeat, do not buy this case for your watch. It’s way too much for the cheap quality of plastic. It is waterproof though. The looks and waterproof abilities are the only positive qualities.
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Andy in ATL
1.0 out of 5 stars My First and Last Catalyst Apple Watch Case!
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
So, after wearing this case for a few months, the band strap broke. Now, I’m attempting to order a replacement, and Catalyst does not make repair parts for a case that costs $75 (including tax). Man, this torques me off! What a fricking waste!
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Killer
1.0 out of 5 stars Almost lost my Apple Watch because the band fell apart!
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2019
Color: Stealth blackVerified Purchase
Have not tried the waterproof option yet! Delivered fast and ahead of time. Easy to set up. I thought I came with a screen protector which was my misunderstanding. Originally wrote the previous message. This was true but after 2 months the band fell apart and almost lost my watch.
Broke in less than 5 weeks
Verified Purchase|Posted 3 months ago.Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
I was steered to this item by the Best Buy employee who told me this was the most durable Apple Watch case they had and that it would protect the watch as well or better than anything else on the market. Within a month the case had developed a crack and over the past weekend I was shaking the water off my hands after washing them and the watch flew off my wrist - the case now broken into two pieces. This was a very expensive case and I am extremely disappointed in my decision to purchase it. I would not recommend this item to anyone who actually needs a protective case.Customer provided, click to load a larger versionCustomer provided, click to load a larger versionCustomer provided, click to load a larger version
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Jamie
Features
Quality 1 out of 5
Value 1 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Absolute garbage.
Verified Purchase|Posted 8 months ago.Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This watch band and case is absolute garbage. Lasted all of two months before the screw that holds the case together broke out. I am a firefighter/paramedic so I wanted a band/case for protecting my watch and what I got instead was a $70 piece of crap! Do not waste your money on this junk! I almost lost my watch do to the very poor quality of this band.Customer provided, click to load a larger versionCustomer provided, click to load a larger version
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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RS20
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Watch band...Rash...The band or something else?
Posted 1 year ago.
Not sure if anyone is having the same issue. When I wear this watch for a few hours, I get the worst rash on my wrist. I don't have allergies. I have worked in many labs and worn all sorts of gloves. I have been wearing watches for 40 years and have never had an issue. The company said its made of silicone. I keep it and my wrist clean. I have not changed soaps. Who knows. This is the only issue so far, other than the company telling me they have never experienced any allergy related issues for this before, see a doctor if this continues and to read the owner's manual about how to wear a watch and know that some people have allergies to things. Very touching.Customer provided, click to load a larger version
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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CatalystSucks
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Horrible
Posted 1 year ago.
Only lasted 4 months. Went swimming in the ocean with it for the first time on vacation in NY and the case broke open. Lost the $500 Apple Watch series 3 GPS+cellular to the sea. All the company will do is give me a new band for the watch that is now lost in the ocean.Customer provided, click to load a larger versionCustomer provided, click to load a larger version
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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NikkiJ
Features
Quality 1 out of 5
Value 1 out of 5
Ease of Use 1 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Don't waste your money
Verified Purchase|Posted 1 month ago.Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
Just returned the first one because the screw was stripped and got a second and the screw was stripped. So I'll have to return this one also.No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Azraves
Features
Quality 5 out of 5
Value 5 out of 5
Ease of Use 1 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Not what I wanted
Verified Purchase|Posted 3 months ago.Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
Bought the product but upon opening the box realized it wasn’t what I wanted. So we turned it immediately. The packaging didn’t give me the proper impression of what I was buying.No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Ralph
Cons mentioned:material
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Don’t get fooled.
Verified Purchase|Posted 2 years ago.
The band after wearing it for about 18 days the band felt of my wrist, the plastic clip just broke.
Can I get my money $60.00 back?Customer provided, click to load a larger versionCustomer provided, click to load a larger version
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Kp123
Features
Quality 1 out of 5
Value 1 out of 5
Ease of Use 3 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Do not buy!
Verified Purchase|Posted 6 months ago.Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
I would not recommend for any person. They will break and you will lose your watch. The watch is not connected to the bands, so if the case is bumped your watch will come flying out and you till be left with a bracelet but no watch. Do not recommend. Steer clearNo, I would not recommend this to a friend
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RunsHills
Features
Quality 1 out of 5
Value 2 out of 5
Ease of Use 1 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Not very pliable
Verified Purchase|Posted 3 months ago.Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
Would not allow watch to sit correctly on wrist & could not use band while charging watch. Possibly silicone from back of band preventing connection.No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Kevin
Features
Quality 1 out of 5
Value 1 out of 5
Ease of Use 1 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Very poor quality
Verified Purchase|Posted 1 month ago.Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
It’s poorly made. Bought two and both of them brokeNo, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Yert
Features
Quality 2 out of 5
Value 1 out of 5
Ease of Use 4 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
This thing feels so cheap
Verified Purchase|Posted 7 months ago.Owned for 8 months when reviewed.
Yea I bought this, walked to my car put my watch in it and tried it on... immediately put it back in the package and returned it before leaving the parking lot. It’s cheap plasticy feeling. I doubt it would hold up to any outdoor activity.No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Chris
Features
Quality 1 out of 5
Value 1 out of 5
Ease of Use 1 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Poorly made
Verified Purchase|Posted 5 months ago.Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
While the concept of it protecting your watch is nice this product is poorly constructed and it broke after less than a month of use.No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Toobsteamrdr
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
flimsy design.
Verified Purchase|Posted 1 year ago.
Had my apple watch sucked off my wrist in the ocean on a small day, you would think the case is strong and sturdy but the bolts that hold the front to the back part of the case literally ripped apart....No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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nolagirl29
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Poor Quality
Verified Purchase|Posted 8 months ago.
This case is poorly constructed. It breaks easily. I bought 2 of these and they both broke in a short period of time. It is expensive too. I would not waste your money on this product.No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Ksdelaware
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Catalyst watch case for series 3 Apple Watch
Verified Purchase|Posted 9 months ago.
I purchased this watch case for the 2nd time because I love the look but after having it only 3 weeks it broke and damaged my Apple Watch so I am not happy and will not recommend it to anyone.No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Chiz
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Poor
Verified Purchase|Posted 1 year ago.
The case construction is poor. The watch face fits tightly into the water proof case, however due to poor design, I was unable to operate the spinning dial or the up and down toggle.Swapped it out for a different one and had the same result.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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HighTech
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Unresponsive service
Verified Purchase|Posted 1 year ago.
This product was purchased as it is supposed to be a waterproof for Apple Watch. After a few month use, the case cracked. I made numerous attempt to contact the company to get a replacement. I get no response. This is not a good company to do business with. Perhaps Best Buy should review its policy as to which company they get the products from.No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Radiomonkey
Features
Quality 1 out of 5
Value 1 out of 5
Ease of Use 1 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
The worst case ever
Verified Purchase|Posted 7 months ago.Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
This case didn’t even make it a week. What a waste of money!No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Garcia1
Features
Quality 1 out of 5
Value 1 out of 5
Ease of Use 1 out of 5
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Don’t buy
Verified Purchase|Posted 7 months ago.Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
No screen protection very bulky not a good productNo, I would not recommend this to a friend
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JNDN
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
bad product
Verified Purchase|Posted 9 months ago.
Band broke within 30 days. For the price of this band it should have been more durableNo, I would not recommend this to a friend
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I could continue to paste in reviews like this until I passed out from starvation. This product, and I suspect every single product they make, is beyond junk. They're beyond garbage. They are Chinese, and that tells you everything you need to know. In this region of the world, "Chinese" is a four letter word, but the West is beginning to wake up to that as well.
UPDATE:
After even more research I have removed my Apple watch from this Godforsaken case and boxed it all back up. I've returned my Apple watch to its original configuration with the Apple watch band. The Catalyst product shouldn't be trusted for even an hour, by anyone, ever. I believe it is ruining possibly even the majority of watches it's being used on, or is causing them to be lost. I don't know where this company is located (I'll look shortly). If in the US, Canada or the UK, I know the procedures very well for getting a number of government agencies to take a hard look at this manufacturer, the states attorneys general in particular and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) in the US..
So where are these scumbags? Here it is:
Labworks International Design Limited Unit 2, 9/F, Block A, Yee Lim Industrial Centre 2-28 Kwai Lok Street, Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong
For General, Customer Service & Distribution Enquiries, please contact us at info@catalystlifestyle.com
For Media Enquiries & Interviews, please contact press@catalystlifestyle.com.
I happen to be not far from Hong Kong. Maybe I'll pop in and invite these skugs to coffee. I was only "normally" angry before I found all the bad reviews on their products. Now I'm enraged. I didn't bother to look to see where they were before I ordered this. Had I noticed it was a Chinese product I'd have saved myself $200USD and a lot of anger. There are no worse products on this earth than Chinese products (in SE Asia we struggle with their junk every hour of every day because no working products are available), and then when they appear to block REAL reviews, so as to trick and scam and defraud even more unsuspecting customers, that's more than I'll tolerate. I did test their website to see if 4 and 5 star reviews will get processed and posted by their website, and I've confirmed that they do, but the website would NOT process my negative reviews. I'm sick and tired of shysters and thieves. I really am. I could have used this $200USD for something useful. In the USA I would absolutey sue them; they'd be served within a week and I'd win. Again, if I return this to them, the cost of shipping would equal or exceed any shipping and duty tax costs. I will contact my credit card company (VISA) to see if they can do a chargeback for the full amount.
Is there any recourse through the Hong Kong government, due to the fact that the percentage of angry customers on these products is so high? No. China (Yes, Hong Kong is China even if they don't like to admit it) absolutely does not care what level of garbage their citizenry cranks out. Their government would be worthless in looking into this. The only possible solution is to make these complaints as public and far reaching as possible, in the hopes that this company and all scammy, incompetent companies like it can eventually be starved out of business until such time as they begin making PRODUCTS THAT WORK. But "good and useful products" doesn't seem to be a phrase the Chinese can grasp or comprehend. I suspect their are too many bats and worms in their diet and their brains have atrophied.
Yes, these pieces of human shit (Catalyst / Labworks International Design Limited) have STOLEN about $200 USD from me through their stupidity and incompetence. But I'll cost them thousands of times that much in lost revenue.
SCAM!
UPDATE, February 2020: Since making Catalyst aware of this website they have apparently turned on their "harassment machine" (the spam spigot). I had formally informed them, in writing, to cease and desist contacting me in any way, at any time, for any reason or face civil and criminal action from me. They acknowledged receipt of that directive. After formally advising Catalyst of that, they have sent me, I believe, 26 spam messages and advertisements in the past week. I block every one, but they come from a different address every time, and each new address must be blocked each time. Does that tell you everything to know in order to make a decision about buying from this den of scammers? Yes. Yes, it does.
