Ever since the first huckster attempted to pass off a lead slug as a silver coin, looking out for counterfeiters has been a way of life for merchants and consumers alike. These days, though, it’s counterfeit products – not money – that you most need to be on the lookout for as a consumer. Nowhere is that truer than in the vaping industry, where fake Geek Bars and other vapes are so rampant that they’re likely manufactured by the millions.
In this article, we’re going to explain everything that you need to know about how to spot and avoid buying a fake Geek Bar – and a fake Geek Bar Pulse in particular. We’re going to arm you with the knowledge that you need to buy and use your vapes confidently.
First, though, why are counterfeit vapes such a big deal in the first place? Here are just a few of the biggest reasons why you don’t want to buy a fake Geek Bar.
- It could be unsafe to use for a variety of reasons. Fake vapes are often made under dangerously unsanitary conditions. The battery could be a reject, or it could be reclaimed from a previously used vape. The e-liquid could contain unknown additives or could have the wrong nicotine strength.
- It could be underfilled, so you’ll end up paying for a device that doesn’t last anywhere near as long as advertised.
- It won’t taste right because a factory making fake Geek Bars won’t have access to the e-liquid used in the official devices.
- Crucial functions may not work. For example, the battery could refuse to charge after it dies.
It should be very clear at this point that buying a fake Geek Bar is just about the last thing you want to do – so let’s discuss the solutions. Here’s how to ensure that you’re getting the real deal.
The best way to avoid fake Geek Bars is to always buy from a reliable vape shop. At VapeJuice.com, we source our vapes only from official sources and guarantee that every device sold here is authentic. Browse our Geek Bar collection now.
Use the Device Verification Code
Before you use any Geek Bar vape, the first thing that you’ll want to do is check the verification code on the device’s box. The code is hidden behind a scratch-off panel, and there’s a right way and a wrong way to check it. Here’s the right way.
- Open a web browser and go the official Geek Bar website at geekbar.com.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “New Verify Product.”
- Type the verification code under the scratch-off panel and click “Verify.”
If the code passes the verification check, you’re all set to use your device. If the code doesn’t pass or has been used hundreds of times before, you should strongly suspect that you have a fake Geek Bar and shouldn’t use the device.
Did you know that QR codes can be created by anyone? That’s why using a QR code is generally a poor security practice – especially if you’re trying to spot a fake product. Clever makers of fake Geek Bars have constructed lookalike websites with URLs that resemble the official Geek Bar website but actually aren’t. Naturally, a fake website will tell you that a fake Geek Bar is real, and you’ll be none the wiser if you aren’t looking closely.
You should never verify a Geek Bar with the QR code. Always perform the check manually.
Check the Packaging Quality
Along with checking the verification code, there’s another thing that you can do to check for a fake Geek Bar before you’ve even opened the box: You can check the quality of the packaging. Here are the things you should look for.
- Check the quality of the cardstock. An authentic Geek Bar will ship in a high-quality box that’s designed to look good on store shelves even if it hasn’t been handled with kid gloves. A fake Geek Bar may come in a box made from poorer-quality cardstock that will look rough or squishy around the edges.
- The printing will often be wrong in some way because the maker of a fake Geek Bar won’t have access to the original digital files used in the creation of the official packaging.
- If the counterfeiter attempted to recreate the official box by scanning it and printing a copy, the colors and text may look blurry and washed out.
- If the counterfeiter attempted to recreate the official box from scratch, the text may contain typos and other errors. The box also may not display the correct nicotine warning that’s required on all vaping products.
Check the Quality of the Device
If you’ve checked the verification code and the packaging quality – and everything seems correct – you’re probably safe to go ahead and start using your Geek Bar. It still doesn’t hurt, though, to take a look at the device itself. Counterfeiters are getting better than ever, but a fake Geek Bar Pulse is still likely to have some fit and finish issues that will become evident on closer examination.
- The switch on the bottom of the device may be the wrong color. Many Geek Bar Pulse flavors use contrasting colors for their switches. The switch may also have a rough texture suggesting that it came from a 3-D printer.
- The “May the Pulse Be with You” on the bottom of the device may be off center. On an authentic device, the text should be centered.
- There may be an obvious seam on the side of the device where the two halves meet. The seam should be barely visible on an authentic Geek Bar.
- There may be a circular depression on the bottom of the device where the plastic was removed from the injection mold. An authentic device shouldn’t have an obvious injection port.
There are so many fake Geek Bars in the world that this may not be an exhaustive list of the issues that you might find on a counterfeit device. It’s ideal if you have a known-good Geek Bar available that you can use for comparison because that might help you spot fit-and-finish issues more easily. Otherwise, you can simply go with your gut. Authentic Geek Bars are very professional products. If something doesn’t look right, you should be wary.
Check the Device’s Flavor Quality and Throat Hit
When it’s time to use your Geek Bar, it’ll be helpful if you’re a seasoned Geek Bar user because you’ll be able to tell right away if anything about your device is off. You might have a favorite flavor, for instance, that you always buy when you stock up on vapes. You’ll know right away if you have a fake device in that case because as we mentioned above, makers of fake vapes obviously won’t have access to the same e-liquid used in official devices. If a Geek Bar doesn’t taste right, don’t use it.
Likewise, you’re used to the assertive throat hit that you feel when you use an authentic Geek Bar. If a Geek Bar doesn’t deliver the same throat hit that you’re used to – or if you feel “off” in any other way when using it – you should suspect a fake and stop using the device.
Wrapping Up: Avoid Fake Geek Bars in 5 Easy Steps
In this article, we’ve given you all the information that you need to spot fake Geek Bars and avoid buying them. We’ll recap how to avoid buying a fake Geek Bar in five easy steps.
- Always buy your vapes from a reliable vape shop. We offer authentic Geek Bars at the best prices anywhere right here at VapeJuice.com and deliver them in an average of just 2-5 business days.
- Always check the scratch-off verification code before opening the box. Check the code manually at the official Geek Bar website. Don’t use the QR code because it could lead to a fake lookalike site.
- Look at the quality of the outer box. It shouldn’t be flimsy, blurry or washed out. It should have no typos.
- Look at the fit and finish of the device. There’s often some unprofessional element – like poor assembly or printing – that gives a fake Geek Bar away.
- If a Geek Bar doesn’t taste right, doesn’t have the right throat hit or makes you feel strange in any way, don’t use it.