Fake Otterbox cases are a growing problem, as customers on eBay and the Amazon marketplace are receiving well-disguised knockoffs instead of the real deal. With real and fake cases mixed together, it’s hard to know how you can ensure you avoid the fakes — although avoiding suspiciously low prices and buying from authorised dealers is a good start.
Today we will talk about the fake Otterbox cases, showing you the differences between the knockoff and the genuine article. We also discuss how to spot fakes before you buy them, and what to do if you do end up buying a replica case. Following are the steps you need to follow to differentiate the real ones from the fake ones.
The differences between fake and real
There are some differences though, if you know what to look for. Probably the most obvious is that there’s green tinted cellophane around the screen protector of the fake one; Otterbox don’t use this. The clip is also different — on the genuine article, the font is wider and the ring around the lettering is thicker. Another good way of telling the difference is to take off the clip, and feel the back of the case. The genuine Otterbox case has a soft feel back which adds grip, while the fake is cheaper and less textured plastic.
Why buying a knockoff doesn’t make sense
The counterfeit is cheaper, but it’s also of worse quality. Inferior materials are used, certain details are off, and of course when the case is inevitably damaged Otterbox won’t replace it!
Otterbox have gained a reputation for making cases that keep your valuable smartphone safe, but with a counterfeit you get none of that assurance. If you chose an Otterbox because you’ve heard good things about the brand, by going with a knockoff instead of the real thing you’re sacrificing the very reason you chose the case in the first place. Ultimately, the difference in price isn’t worth the risk that your phone will be left unprotected.
How to avoid fake cases
So here’s how to avoid counterfeit cases:
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. A new case that retails for 3000 Rs won’t pop up for 500 Rs or 1000 Rs on eBay or Amazon.
Check the case maker’s list of approved retailers.
Read user reviews — many won’t know the difference, but if you see a few reports of knockoffs, then steer clear.
What to do if you do end up with a suspected fake
Of course, if you do order a case and you suspect it may be a fake, what can you do? Well, usually the best recourse is to document the fake, return it to the retailer, then report the seller to the manufacturer and/or the operator of the website you bought it from (e.g. Amazon or eBay).
Conclusion
So, to sum up:
Popular brands are often copied
These knockoffs are cheap and don’t protect your phone
Don’t get ripped off, buy from approved retailers and ignore prices that are too good to be true
If you find a fake, review it and report it.
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