Rediscovering the Truth About Online Shopping Deals
When I bought a pair of AirPods 4 on Coupang last month, I thought I had found an amazing deal — almost half the usual price.
The seller said it was a “special overseas version”, explaining that delivery would take longer and that some functions might not work in Korea.
I believed it. After all, in the U.S., big events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday often bring incredible discounts. I thought maybe Coupang had something similar.
The product finally arrived on September 11, about six days after my order. It looked real enough — the box, the logo, even the serial number.
Everything seemed fine until I went to an Apple customer service center a month later.
That’s when the technician quietly said,
“These aren’t Apple AirPods… they’re counterfeit.”
I felt embarrassed and angry at the same time. I realized I wasn’t just tricked by a fake product — I was tricked by trust.
đź›’ How Counterfeit Sellers Hide on Coupang and Amazon
This kind of scam isn’t unique to Coupang.
Even on Amazon, one of the most trusted marketplaces in the world, fake AirPods and other counterfeit electronics have become a serious issue.
Both platforms face the same challenge:
they allow third-party sellers to list products freely, sometimes under misleading titles or with photos copied from official sites.
Counterfeiters often:
- Claim to sell “overseas versions” or “limited deals.”
- Use real serial numbers stolen from genuine products.
- Copy Apple-style packaging down to the smallest detail.
- Manipulate customer reviews to look trustworthy.
And when buyers like me believe we’re just getting a good deal — we unknowingly walk right into the trap.
🚫 Coupang’s Return Policy and the Timing Trap
Coupang offers a 7-day return window after delivery, which sounds fair.
But in reality, sellers can abuse this system.
In my case, the seller delayed shipping by claiming “overseas delivery.”
By the time I received and tested the item, the return period was practically over.
Now, the product is listed as “return unavailable”, even though it’s clearly fake.
This timing trick is subtle but effective — it lets scammers escape with your money while hiding behind Coupang’s system.
🇺🇸 Comparing with Amazon’s Counterfeit Problem
Amazon faces similar problems, but the difference lies in buyer protection.
In the U.S., Amazon has a strong A-to-Z Guarantee that allows refunds even for delayed or deceptive products.
Also, counterfeit reporting is easier — and customers often receive refunds quickly, even before the investigation ends.
However, Amazon also struggles with “commingled inventory,” meaning genuine and fake products sometimes get mixed in the same warehouse.
So even if you buy from “Amazon Fulfilled,” you might still receive a fake product that another seller supplied.
đź’ˇ Lessons I Learned
- If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Huge discounts on premium electronics almost never happen without a catch. - “Overseas version” is a common red flag.
Apple doesn’t sell regional versions of AirPods with missing functions. - Always check the seller.
On Coupang or Amazon, look for listings sold directly by Apple or authorized resellers. - Inspect serial numbers carefully.
Counterfeit products often reuse legitimate serials, but Apple’s service center can always verify authenticity. - Act fast if suspicious.
File for a return within seven days on Coupang, or immediately contact Amazon’s support if something feels off.
🧠Final Thoughts
Coupang has made online shopping in Korea incredibly convenient, but convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of consumer trust.
Marketplaces must take stronger action against counterfeit sellers, especially in tech products that involve safety and brand integrity.
As a Korean American, I’ve experienced both systems — the speed of Coupang and the global scale of Amazon — but both still share one weakness:
trusting the logo on the box more than the truth inside.
P.S. (Updated)
My original plan was simple — I just wanted to replace my old AirPods 2.
In Korea, however, there’s only one official Apple Store, located in Seoul.
All the other locations are authorized service centers, not Apple-operated stores like in the U.S.
And the difference matters.
Authorized centers usually charge higher repair or replacement fees.
For example, replacing one AirPod (2nd generation) at an authorized center costs around ₩80,000–₩90,000,
while the official Apple Store in Seoul charges about â‚©69,000.
Since I live in a local city and had no plans to visit Seoul, I decided to look for a more “reasonable” price online — and that’s how I ended up buying on Coupang.
It turned out to be a big mistake, and a very expensive lesson.
Fortunately, after I filed a Voice of Customer (VOC) report with Coupang,
the company acknowledged my case and issued a full refund.
I truly appreciate that Coupang took responsibility in the end —
and I hope this experience helps other shoppers recognize warning signs before it happens to them.
