Comedian and actor Vir Das has sparked a debate around online shopping after alleging that an Apple smartwatch purchased through Zepto for nearly Rs 50,000 did not appear to be genuine.
Taking to X, Das questioned the authenticity of the device and expressed frustration over what he described as an unsatisfactory response from customer support. According to him, the watch was purchased urgently for a professional shoot, making the issue even more concerning.
Sharing a photograph of the smartwatch, Das wrote, “Okay. Am I wrong, do all apple watches look like this or is @ZeptoNow @zeptocares being shady with china copies? By the way their customer device agent on the phone said there’s nothing they could do. Full scam. We needed one quick for a shoot. They charged us 50k.”
His remarks quickly gained traction online, with many users raising concerns about the authenticity of products sold through quick-commerce platforms. While Das did not explicitly confirm that the watch was fake, he questioned whether the product he received matched what an original Apple Watch should look like.
Responding to the allegations, Zepto said it had already initiated a reverse pickup and was investigating the matter.
The company stated, “We take such concerns seriously and have already scheduled a reverse pickup of the product, which is our standard process in such cases. This will help us investigate the issue with our brand partners.”
Zepto also pointed out that customers receive a verification OTP during delivery and advised users to inspect packages before accepting them.
The statement further read, “For high-value products, users receive an OTP at the time of delivery. The OTP should only be shared after checking that the package is properly sealed and in good condition.”
Assuring users that the matter was being examined, the company added, “We are currently looking into this case and will take appropriate action based on our findings.”
The incident has triggered discussions on social media about quality control, authenticity checks, and customer support processes for high-value electronics sold through rapid delivery platforms. While Zepto maintains that it is investigating the complaint, Vir Das’s allegations have put the spotlight on how such platforms handle concerns involving premium products.
