[not the parent] Apple.com's cheapest lightning cable is $19.99, and I don't recall ever seeing a 3rd party discount a genuine product by so much, and it says "Non-Retail Packaging" which is a bit strange, so I'd assume it's a knock-off. But you make a good point — it says "Apple" and it is the first result that looks exactly like the original: my family members would probably buy it.

On a related note, is this an AmazonBasics knock-off? https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Lightning-USB-Cable-Cert... or are they really selling a product that bad (looking at the reviews/photos)?

Right? It's ridiculous. Why does Amazon let random, unvetted third parties list products under the Apple brand? I can't even find the authentic cable on Amazon. Here's another: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MD819AM-Meter-Lightning-Cable/d...

Same $19.99 price as an Apple original. Amazon lists "Apple" as the brand. But read the reviews--2.5 stars over 379 reviewers. First review: "Fake Apple cable. Doesn't work."

Under "Other sellers," Amazon.com is listed as an alternative, albeit for $5 more. That one is surely authentic, right? But what if the inventory is co-mingled with that of the other sellers for the same product?

Amazon will sell the counterfeits just as willingly as through a third party, from my experience at least.

I'd suspect the problem might actually be the NUMBER of reviews --- 26,000 is a lot, and I suspect many of the reviews are bots meant to tip the score.

This is insane, I actually believed I was buying from Apple when I saw their name listed under the product.

The interesting part to me is the reviews are half one stars.

For a lot of things I buy on amazon, being authentic or not is irrelevant, being of good quality or not is my only concern. Of course for a lot of brands 'authenticity' and good quality go together, but that's only a signal to me, authentic products can also be crap.

Perhaps that's also why I don't buy most brand stuff on amazon, as it gives me nothing more than the official retailer's site, prices should be the same, and customer service will be on par or better.

To be clear I don't condone selling fakes, I just think it's a fool's errand to look for 'good deals' on amazon or any third party site when it comes products where brand matters over all.

Yes, it's not sold directly by Amazon but by a 3rd party named "BREED". That should be your red flag.

For all small electronic phone/charger stuff I buy Anker. Hasn't let me down once.

It’s fake. It’s sold by a company named “BREED”.

looks authentic to me, but if it gets the job done, do I really care if it is authentic?

no. the answer is no.

Because a cheap knockoff device that plugs into AC current could kill you.

http://www.righto.com/2012/03/inside-cheap-phone-charger-and...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hdn0MuCK_0 is another interesting example.

Hooo boy, that is scary!

well, then, it wouldn't be getting the job done, now would it?

.............

You're okay with paying a premium for what turns out to be a fake product? What if it ends up burning your house down?

You can get a 6-feet lightning cable from Five Below b&m.