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Bargain used Apple Watch straps from CEX
- Thread starter Defender2010
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Great thread, I'm definitely going to get some bands from CEX for my AW2. Does anyone know what influences the prices? I know it's supply/demand but what's the general consensus, will they go up or down after the announcement and launch date of AW2?
I'm not near an Apple Store, so I'm planning to visit one this weekend to try out the AW1 and decide between 38 & 42mm, then I can order the AW2 without having to fight for an appointment in store.
I'm not near an Apple Store, so I'm planning to visit one this weekend to try out the AW1 and decide between 38 & 42mm, then I can order the AW2 without having to fight for an appointment in store.
CEX are a weird bunch. They are very very slow on updating their prices in their stores or online.
This time last year all the bands and straps were seriously cheap, the all went up just after Christmas and have slowly come down over the last 9 months, not to a point where I would buy anything, though.
Thanks, I know what you mean. Looking at their sports band prices, they're at £28 which is only £11 cheaper than brand new, I would rather buy from Apple. However, the leather and milanese loops are around £60 which is a £70 saving, so I'm tempted.
Just be careful with the Milanese loops, if you're going get one make sure it's a Grade A. I've seen a few fakes in my local CEX which they classed as Grade B.
Grade A, you should get the box etc.
Thanks. Looks like I won't be getting a second hand Milanese loop, that's the only strap I can get with the SS that I really like. I was planning to get a midnight blue sports or leather loop but they don't come with the watch as standard.
So I'll be getting the Milanesw loop AW2 SS, unless Apple switch up the combinations at launch.
I'm not too disappointed, the loop is by far my favourite band, so I can justify getting it brand new.
The strap arrived, in excellent cosmetic condition but no packaging. It has the laser etched writing inside the clasp and as per the youtube videos you can feel the quality in terms of the smoothness of all the links when fitted together, the ease of removing them etc. So I "think" its genuine....
Ordered a Space Black Milanese Loop from CeX earlier for my SGS. I did trek all the way to Sunderland from Hexham first for one as their stock checker said they had one in stock, so traded in my silver one I got last year from CeX which they then tested and said come back in 10 mins so I asked for the black one, they then have a look at it and say the black one in their store is a fake one and they couldn't sell it. So got a £33 voucher for my genuine silver ML and came home and ordered one online which luckily they had a few of (3 when ordered) so only paid £17 plus delivery for it.
I just got a grade B saddle brown classic buckle and I'm pretty happy with it! It's already developed a darker patina and the leather looks a bit worn in, but nothing that detracts from its appearance. I paid $85, which still seems pricey for a used band!
I prefer the lighter pre-patina color, but other than that I also like the less-than-pristine look of worn-in leather!
Agreed in tempted by this, leather is the only band option that doesn't need to be pristine.
Where can you find this?
Was at one of their local stores, found a black ML band for $75 USD. Look like it had never been worn. I'm presuming at that price it's a Apple OEM band. Just trying to confirm
Problem is, the person who checked it in could very well also have "presumed" its an OEM band.
On a milanese loop, the size would be on the inside of the end that doesn't loop.
I find this interesting, since they don't indicate that they have any stock of the black ML bands at all on their site. At least, not on the US store. Do the physical stores have stock that isn't listed online?
I'm not sure what the US side of CEX is like, but if it's anything like it is here in the UK, they are terrible and very slow at updating their site. I was told that the site "should" reflect the stock in their stores and what has been traded in online. But I'm finding the site is out of date. It doesn't live update when a either they sell or buy something in.
I've purchased two bands from CEX U.S.
One was (is) a genuine Apple space black link bracelet, listed as grade A. Came in an Apple original box and still had some of the plastic protectors on the band but had been opened. I'm 100% certain it's genuine as I also have stainless link band purchased directly from Apple and they both have the same printing/markings on them, including size (42mm) and other markings. And the links between them are interchangeable, so the mechanics are 100% identical. If somehow it's not a genuine Apple bracelet, then it's a fake so good that Apple themselves couldn't tell. $200. Bought it long before the so-called Gen. 5 replicas were available.
The other is an Apple black sport band with black pin. $25. Also genuine.
The only other "bargain" band I own is an Apple neon green (the original green, before the Mint green) sport band that I found last month at a local Best Buy. The color has been discontinued by Apple for several months now but BB still had this one on the shelf. The end of the box was open and slightly crushed, so it was labeled as "open box" by Best Buy and was marked down by $15. The band inside was otherwise perfect and it didn't look like it had ever actually been removed from the packaging.
One was (is) a genuine Apple space black link bracelet, listed as grade A. Came in an Apple original box and still had some of the plastic protectors on the band but had been opened. I'm 100% certain it's genuine as I also have stainless link band purchased directly from Apple and they both have the same printing/markings on them, including size (42mm) and other markings. And the links between them are interchangeable, so the mechanics are 100% identical. If somehow it's not a genuine Apple bracelet, then it's a fake so good that Apple themselves couldn't tell. $200. Bought it long before the so-called Gen. 5 replicas were available.
The other is an Apple black sport band with black pin. $25. Also genuine.
The only other "bargain" band I own is an Apple neon green (the original green, before the Mint green) sport band that I found last month at a local Best Buy. The color has been discontinued by Apple for several months now but BB still had this one on the shelf. The end of the box was open and slightly crushed, so it was labeled as "open box" by Best Buy and was marked down by $15. The band inside was otherwise perfect and it didn't look like it had ever actually been removed from the packaging.