So, you’re strolling through Gabes (or maybe you got sucked into their online vortex, no judgement) and you see this *amazing* deal on an Apple Watch. Specifically, a *Ultra* maybe? Alarm bells should already be ringing, tbh. I mean, Gabes isn’t exactly known for being an authorized Apple retailer. Unless they’re selling *slightly* damaged boxes of Apple Jacks, you gotta be sus.
First off, let’s be real, the price is probably gonna be the biggest giveaway. If it’s even close to a real Ultra price, why even bother getting it at Gabes? Just go to Apple or Best Buy, duh. If it’s like, a tenth of the price? Dude, it’s a fake. Plain and simple. No free lunches, kids!
But let’s say you’re feeling adventurous (or just really, *really* want to believe you’ve stumbled upon some hidden treasure). How do you *actually* tell if it’s a knock-off? Well, the articles I’ve been digging through all point to a few key things.
The Packaging: This is your first line of defense. Legit Apple products have packaging that’s, well, legit. Think clean lines, good printing, and an overall feel of quality. A janky box with pixelated images and a misspelled “Apple Watch Ultar” (see what I did there?)? Yeah, that’s a red flag the size of Texas.
Material Quality: Okay, rip that baby open (carefully, though, you might need to return it…or, ya know, throw it in the trash). How does it *feel*? Real Apple Watches are made with premium materials. The fake ones? Probably some cheap plastic that feels like it’ll crumble if you look at it wrong. I mean, come on, you can usually *smell* the cheapness.
The Serial Number: This is the *real* key. Apple has a website where you can check the serial number of your device (Check Coverage, I think it’s called). If the serial number comes back as “invalid” or, even worse, matches a different device, BAM! You’ve got a fake. This is, like, the number one most important thing to check. I’m telling ya.
The Charger: Legit Apple chargers are… well, they’re Apple chargers. Kinda expensive, kinda proprietary, but they work. A weird, off-brand charger that looks like it came out of a cereal box? Yeah, no. That’s not gonna fly.
My Two Cents: Look, I’m not saying Gabes is *always* selling fake stuff. But I’m also not *not* saying it. Honestly, when it comes to something as expensive and tech-y as an Apple Watch Ultra, is it really worth the risk of saving a few bucks? Probably not. Just shell out the extra cash and get the real deal. You’ll sleep better at night. And you won’t be stuck with a glorified paperweight that calls itself an “Apple Watch.”
