Where to get an original iPod data cable?

[CarBastard]

Hi GTP, I was wondering if some of your North American members could solve me a little doubt.

I own a 2nd generatin iPod touch, and recently my data cable finally died. The rubber covering peeled away, so I used some insulating tape to keep it together but today one of the tiny metal wires inside broke, so it's apparently over.

I don't live outside the U.S but I usually purchase all my electronics stuff trough Amazon.com and have someone bring them to where I live (it's waaay cheaper this way). In this particular example, I'm not bothering looking for the cable here since local Apple stores are a rip off (COP$80,000 or US$40 for a pair of iPod headphones) and the other options are fake/chinese/counterfeit/OEM cables. So I headed for Amazon.com and found that they sell the cable, but...surprise: Customer reviews and pictures (and, actually, the price) say it's a fake cable. I want then to the U.S Apple Store and they ask $20.00.

So, bottomline, this left me with a couple of doubts I'm asking you to please help me with:

1. Are fake/chinese/counterfeit/OEM cables a waste of money? Are there any good ones, any particular brand I should look for?
2. Is there any reputable online store where I can buy this cable at a good price?
3. Would I be an idiot for paying $20 to the evil Apple store for a mere and lame cable?

Thanks in advance GTP!

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Ebay or some cheap dollar store. Ebay shouldn't be bad. Try Newegg.

 

[nick09]

Cables To Go brand is decent. The cable ends is larger than a stock Apple cable but it looks better designed for long term use. It also means that it might not securely plug into your iPhone with a case on(due to the fact that most cases are designed for the apples cables) but some cases can be modified if you just need a little bit more space for the connector.