I’m still upset about the AirPods
Prefer to listen? Check out episode 037 I thought the AirPods were real
The Tale of Two AirPods: What Counterfeit Tech Taught Me About Myself
A few weeks ago, I set out to buy a gift for my wife. She’s a homeschooling mom of four, and her days are full of noise, questions, and constant motion. I figured a pair of noise-canceling AirPods Pro would be the perfect way to help her find some quiet when she needed it most.
But I wasn’t about to pay full price — after all, this was for my wife and she would enjoy them more if she knew I got a good deal.
I scoured the internet and stumbled upon a listing on Facebook Marketplace—brand new, sealed box, and significantly cheaper than retail. Jackpot! I met the seller, handed over the cash, and headed home feeling great.
On her birthday, my wife unwrapped the AirPods with excitement. But something was off. The lid of the charging case felt …flimsy. I ignored this and fitted the first size of silicone tips onto the pods and handed them to my wife. Too big. No worries, let’s size up. But then it happened. When I went to remove the silicone tips from the buds, they tore — in half. Earbud and silicone tip in one hand, stem and body of the bud in the other. That’s when it hit me: these AirPods were fake.
The realization sank like a lead weight. I wasn’t just disappointed—I was embarrassed and angry. I felt foolish for getting duped. All the “what ifs” ran through my head: What if I’d checked them more closely? What if I’d just bought the real ones? How could this happen? The serial number was valid. They were shrink-wrapped. I’m such an idiot — and that’s when it struck me: this wasn’t just about AirPods. It was about loss aversion, a behavioral bias we all share that makes the pain of losing something feel so much worse than the joy of gaining something.
What Is Loss Aversion?
It’s a behavioral bias that shows up in every corner of lives.
It’s why losing $20 feels worse than finding $20 feels good.
It’s why people hold onto investments longer than they probably should.
It’s why we often prefer to double-down on our efforts rather than cut our losses (see also Sunk Cost Fallacy)
It’s why we buy extended warranties we’ll never use.
The sting of “losing” something—whether it’s money, time, or pride—often drives our decisions far more than the promise of gaining something better. In my case, I was trying to save a little money on a gift.
Here’s a real kicker: loss aversion can even keep us from moving forward spiritually. We hesitate to let go of comfort or security because we fear the uncertainty of following God — even though we know that’s the best thing we can do.
Breaking Free from the Trap
Loss aversion is normal. It’s wired into our brains. But it doesn’t have to drive the car. Here are a few ideas of how to combat its effects:
Pause and Evaluate
When faced with a complicated situation, consider how fear of past experiences may be impacting your current decision-making paradigm.
Focus on the Big Picture
Remember the long-term impact of your decisions. For example, instead of holding onto that one struggling stock, think about how diversifying could grow your portfolio over time.
Celebrate Wins
Gratitude refocuses your perspective. The Bible reminds us in Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Recognize that in all your life — wether gains or losses — God is co-laboring with you. Let that sink in, and let that joy outweigh everything.
A Final Thought
As I stood in the kitchen holding those fake AirPods, I realized this moment was about more than a botched birthday gift. It was a reminder of how easily our emotions can steer us off course. Loss aversion is real, but it doesn’t have to define our lives.
What’s one area where fear of loss is holding you back? Is it time to let go, step out in faith, or celebrate a win you’ve overlooked? Start small. Acknowledge the bias, make one change, and see where it leads.
Because sometimes, even counterfeit AirPods can teach a lesson worth learning.