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How many people on here buy straps from eBay, and how has your experience been?
- Thread starter The Cockney Rebel
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If you are careful and patient, eBay can be a good place to find genuine bands, often at significant discounts. Just do your due diligence to make sure you don’t buy a knockoff. You may want to check out this thread.
I have bought a lot of Apple branded bands on EBay and they have been excellent. I try to stay away from the non Apple branded bands as they are hit and miss. Unfortunately mostly miss. I just bought 2 Apple bands listed as used at 80% percent off such as this years plum sport loop and to my surprise they were brand new without the box. Just the buy from sellers with many positive returns and that are with eBay for years. I stay away with sellers that are new, not in the USA AND sellers with a few positive reviews. I also stay away from sellers that don’t allow returns. Hope this helps.
No different than buying anything else on Ebay. Check feedback, check for actual pics of the item, and use your head.
The vast majority of my bands have come from eBay, all genuine and all way below retail. There are plenty of good resellers out there (speaking as a UK member).
I’ve bought leather loops, leather links, Nike and sport bands and they have been flawless.
I keep going back to feed my addiction
I keep going back to feed my addiction
I bought a band that was described as 'Opened - Never Used' earlier this year.
At first, I was sceptical but the seller had a high rating and plenty of great reviews. So I decided to buy it and it was great. You could tell the band was new and had just been taken out of the box.
Look at the reviews and check that the seller accepts returns. That way, if you receive the band and it is obvious that it has been used then you can always return it.
At first, I was sceptical but the seller had a high rating and plenty of great reviews. So I decided to buy it and it was great. You could tell the band was new and had just been taken out of the box.
Look at the reviews and check that the seller accepts returns. That way, if you receive the band and it is obvious that it has been used then you can always return it.
I've bought a LOT of bands on Amazon, but not Ebay. Most of the non-Apple bands I've bought are silicone. They are usually a bit thinner, but the looks and quality are okay, especially given the drastically lower price. I've also bought quite a few bands from Solace. They are excellent.
I purchased a black Milanese loop band on EBay that I actually like much better than the original $200 genuine Apple band. The links on the apple band are longer and so hang up on the band attachment. The knock off loops are short so the band slides through the attachment without handing up. Also the parachute attachment on the genuine must be made to very tight tolerance because you must have the clasp perfectly aligned to close the band, very difficult to close. On the knockoff, this is not a problem and the closure is still secure. The band is glossy black matching the S10 perfectly. Cost me a whole $20.
Many New or Open box (not used/pre-owned) straps are available, many of which are past season's straps that are no longer sold, depending on the seller and inventory available.
The new boxed versions are still sealed. Getting harder to find the Nike Sport loop in Summit White.
I tried and won't buy the non Apple, 3rd party bands anymore as they don't last long as the plastic connector part snaps apart almost quickly after some use.
The new boxed versions are still sealed. Getting harder to find the Nike Sport loop in Summit White.
I tried and won't buy the non Apple, 3rd party bands anymore as they don't last long as the plastic connector part snaps apart almost quickly after some use.
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I have dozens of bands, most of them genuine, most of them from eBay. It can be hard to find certain colors (I’m still looking for a surf blue sport loop for less than $25), but I’ve found eBay great for finding genuine Apple bands at like half price, so long as you’re ok with buying old colorways.
A big thanks to everyone.
I was close to pulling the trigger last night, but held off.
I have bought two straps from there, and they were 100% genuine.
I was close to pulling the trigger last night, but held off.
I have bought two straps from there, and they were 100% genuine.
I bought an ocean band off eBay £7 instead of £99
Slightly different design on the clasps otherwise golden.
Why wouldn’t you?
Slightly different design on the clasps otherwise golden.
Why wouldn’t you?
The obsession with "genuine" bands is a little strange, but to each their own. If I can get an identical knockoff for pennies on the dollar compared to what Apple charges, I'll take the knockoff every single time. Apple has enough of my money.
I've bought a dozen or so bands off eBay, all knockoffs of existing or previous Apple bands. Quality (and price) have been excellent, no complaints. I cycle among them as it suits me. None have worn or degraded any differently than the couple Apple bands I own.
As someone said up-thread, follow all the same rules you'd use for any eBay purchase: Read the reviews, don't buy from brand new sellers or sellers who advertise pricing that is wildly below the prevailing baseline that others are offering for similar goods.
I've bought a dozen or so bands off eBay, all knockoffs of existing or previous Apple bands. Quality (and price) have been excellent, no complaints. I cycle among them as it suits me. None have worn or degraded any differently than the couple Apple bands I own.
As someone said up-thread, follow all the same rules you'd use for any eBay purchase: Read the reviews, don't buy from brand new sellers or sellers who advertise pricing that is wildly below the prevailing baseline that others are offering for similar goods.
I started buying one from Aliexpress some years back, thinking for $1.20 I really can't go wrong, and have been back for more ever since, as my main source for Spors Loops, Alpine Loops, Solo Loops and Sport Bands. Especially with the latter I cannot really tell any difference to the original which came with the Apple Watch, save for no brand name on the inside.
As the previous poster said, each to their own, and while I don't mind paying for any Apple tech hardware, some overpriced piece of rubber or synthetic is where I draw the line for myself
especially when there are such good alternatives around.
As the previous poster said, each to their own, and while I don't mind paying for any Apple tech hardware, some overpriced piece of rubber or synthetic is where I draw the line for myself
especially when there are such good alternatives around.
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I've purchased 5 for my Ultra over the last 1+ years and they were all legit. Just make sure you're buying from someone with a lot of positive feedback as a seller. Also carefully look at the description to confirm it says Apple as manufacturer. If you get other than as described, you can dispute with EBay.
Definitely each to their own. You can get great deals on authentic OEM apple bands, and I personally don't like any alternatives to OEM bands. Tried a few times and was disappointed, and returned those immediately. Buying such an expensive device and then slapping a $10 "similar" band really devalues the watch in my opinion. But good deals on original bands are there if you know what to look for.
I have purchased LOADS of used OEM Apple Watch bands on eBay. I recommend this 100% over buying new because most times people are selling them because they haven't worn them. In maybe 30 purchases, only one of them was dirty/stained in a way that was difficult to clean, and one other had been doused in perfume and was unwearable. The rest were all in like-new condition. Recommend buying only from domestic sellers to reduce the chance of fakes—if they have the original box, even better.
So I would say definitely search eBay. eBay is also a great place to find gently used watches, too—I've picked up last-gen Stainless Steel watches for $200-$300 and current-gen Titanium watches for under $450. Just takes some patience and a love for a good bargain hunt.
So I would say definitely search eBay. eBay is also a great place to find gently used watches, too—I've picked up last-gen Stainless Steel watches for $200-$300 and current-gen Titanium watches for under $450. Just takes some patience and a love for a good bargain hunt.
Sometimes. I got my sunset modern buckle on eBay.
But I go to the shops to grab Apple OEM bands for only a couple of quid 💷 or dollars 💵 like my leather links.
Hope Ross and TJX stock up even more bands that are 41mm and are in the colours that I want.
But I go to the shops to grab Apple OEM bands for only a couple of quid 💷 or dollars 💵 like my leather links.
Hope Ross and TJX stock up even more bands that are 41mm and are in the colours that I want.
Yes, I hope more straps become available as Apple releases a new set of bands this spring and probably this summer.
I would prefer to purchase a plum sport loop for $12-14 or less instead of paying $50 for OEM straps!