Why You Should Never Buy AirPods Max on Facebook Marketplace

Picture this: You’re scrolling through Facebook Marketplace, and you spot a listing for AirPods Max at $300. Brand new, still in the box. Your heart races. “What a steal!” you think.

Stop right there.

I’m about to take you on a deep dive into a scam that’s costing unsuspecting buyers hundreds of dollars. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how these scammers operate, and why you should run – not walk – away from these “deals.”

The Anatomy of the Scam

Let’s break down how these scammers are pulling the wool over your eyes:

1. The Bait: Irresistible Pricing

The scam starts with a price that’s too good to ignore. AirPods Max retail for $550, but these scammers list them for $300 or even less. It’s the perfect bait – low enough to seem like a great deal, but not so low that it immediately screams “fake.”

2. The Hook: A Convincing Listing

Once they’ve got your attention, they reel you in with a professional-looking listing. Here’s what to watch out for:

• “Brand New, Unopened”: They’ll claim the AirPods are brand new, often saying they received them as a gift. This explanation conveniently covers why they’re selling at such a low price.
• High-Quality Photos: These aren’t your average blurry marketplace photos. Scammers use professional-grade images, often stolen from Apple’s website or other legitimate retailers.

3. The Line: Fake Authenticity Proofs

Now comes the clever part. When you express interest, they’ll go to great lengths to “prove” the authenticity:

• Serial Number Trickery: They’ll send you a photo of a box with a real serial number. Here’s the kicker – that serial number actually checks out on Apple’s website. How? They’re using serial numbers from real AirPods Max, but the product in the box is fake.
• Photoshopped Receipts: If you ask for proof of purchase, they’ll produce a receipt that looks strikingly real. But look closer:
  • Missing sales tax (unless they claim to be in one of the five states without sales tax)
  • Inconsistent purchase dates (often not matching the date shown when you check the serial number on Apple’s site)
  • Blurred or missing personal details on the receipt
• Shrink-Wrapped Boxes: They’ll show you images or videos of shrink-wrapped boxes that look identical to genuine Apple packaging. Some scammers even recreate the box’s contents perfectly.

4. The Sinker: Deceptively Real-Looking Fakes

If you do end up buying, you’ll receive a pair of counterfeit AirPods Max that might fool you at first glance. But make no mistake – these are fake through and through. Here’s what you’re actually getting:

• Packaging that looks convincingly similar to genuine Apple products
• All the expected accessories, making the unboxing experience seem legit
• Build quality that might pass a cursory inspection

Some of these fakes are so sophisticated that they might even:

• Connect to your Apple devices
• Show up in your Find My app

But don’t be fooled. These knockoffs are a far cry from the real deal:

• The sound quality is abysmal. We’re talking dollar store earbuds level of audio here. Muddy bass, tinny highs, and a complete lack of the clarity you’d expect from premium headphones.
• That spatial audio feature Apple brags about? Forget it. These fakes couldn’t spatialize audio if their life depended on it.
• The noise cancellation is a joke. It’s about as effective as putting your hands over your ears.
• Battery life? Let’s just say you’ll be reaching for the charger way more often than you’d like.
• And let’s not even get started on the build quality. Sure, it might look okay at first, but use these for a week, and you’ll see why they’re not worth even the discounted price.

Remember, these scammers are masters of illusion. They’re banking on you being so excited about the “deal” that you overlook these glaring issues. But trust me, the moment you put these on and press play, you’ll realize you’ve been had.

Why You Should Never Buy AirPods Max on Marketplace

Let’s cut to the chase: You should probably never buy AirPods Max on Facebook Marketplace. Period. Here’s why:

1. It’s a Minefield of Fakes: For every legitimate pair of AirPods Max on Marketplace, there are dozens – if not hundreds – of fakes. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack, except the haystack is actively trying to scam you.
2. The Hassle Isn’t Worth It: Sure, you might think you can outsmart the scammers. You’ve read this article, you know their tricks. But ask yourself: Is the time and energy you’ll spend vetting sellers, scrutinizing photos, and second-guessing every detail really worth saving a few bucks?
3. You’re Swimming with Sharks: Remember, these scammers are professionals. They’re constantly evolving their tactics. By the time you read this, they might have new tricks up their sleeves. Do you really want to pit your occasional buying experience against their full-time scamming operation?

Protecting Yourself

Instead, here’s what I want you to do:

1. If you really want AirPods Max, save up and buy them from Apple or an authorized retailer. Yes, you’ll pay full price, but you’ll also get peace of mind, a warranty, and a genuine product.
2. If you’re on a budget, consider Apple’s own refurbished products. They’re certified pre-owned, come with a full warranty, and are significantly cheaper than buying new.
3. Wait for legitimate sales from authorized retailers. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other major shopping events often see discounts on Apple products.