Woman buys $499 iPad from Walmart only to discover it was a painted piece of plastic (Massachusetts, money)

[All American NYC]

Massachusetts woman Suzanne Nassie is livid after she says that an iPad she bought at Walmart turned out to be only a piece of plastic painted to look like a real tablet...The fake so confusing the store even refused her a refund at first before finally relenting...This isn't even a real device,' she said upon discovering the trick. 'Somebody put a phony device in that box.'
There was no cord, and no way to turn the device on...She brought it back to the store, but wasn't allowed to speak to a manager and was refused a refund even though she brought the $499 receipt printed out just 20 minutes prior...Nassie isn't the first Walmart customer to get burned on an iPad purchase at Walmart. People have reported buying fake devices at stores in New Jersey, Florida, and Texas.

Thats why I bought mine from Apple.

[Chimuelojones]

sounds like a scam to me...If I can buy a fake ipod online, what is there no chance that i buy one on line and take a real one out and replace it with a fake?

Which is more likely? the customer switch, or buying a sealed box at walmart goning home and finding a fake in the box? My guess would be the first senario.

Maybe walmart should have the costumer open the box to examine it at time of purchase. If the customer refuses, they can go to Best Buy.

Newest 1 1 Sample Model Fake Display Dummy for Apple iTouch iPod Touch 5 5th Gen | eBay

[pknopp]

I knew a guy that owned a sportscard shop. I was in visiting him one day when a guy brought in a sealed 1989 Upper Deck set. This was back in the day that the Ken Griffey card was a big seller and the set was selling for $200.

He told the guy that the only way he would buy it is if he could open it and make sure the card was in there. The guy allowed him, the card was there and he bought the set.

I asked him about this noting that the set was now worth less once opened. He told me that I wouldn't believe the number of people who took the Griffey card out of the sets, resealed them and then tried to sell them to him.

[carterstamp]

I call shenanigans.

[Southern man]

I don't believe the story. Its trash put out by the WalMart haters.

[TrapperJohn]

Some thugs in the east bay had a return scam like that a few years ago. They had shrink wrap equipment in their Section 8 apartment. They would just buy items and remove them and return them "unopened". The next guy got stiffed. It's certainly possible.

Many high-end products have a factory seal. Look for it at the store. Protect yourself.

[blackhemi]

Ive bought cameras from walmart before and they always opened the box and wrote the serial down and inspect the contents.

I find her story a bit difficult to believe but I wont say that it couldnt happen.

[Dale Cooper]

Originally Posted by Chimuelojones

sounds like a scam to me...If I can buy a fake ipod online, what is there no chance that i buy one on line and take a real one out and replace it with a fake?

Which is more likely? the customer switch, or buying a sealed box at walmart goning home and finding a fake in the box? My guess would be the first senario.

Maybe walmart should have the costumer open the box to examine it at time of purchase. If the customer refuses, they can go to Best Buy.

Newest 1 1 Sample Model Fake Display Dummy for Apple iTouch iPod Touch 5 5th Gen | eBay

I agree with you.

[DC at the Ridge]

Someone bought a product, discovered that it was a fake, took it back to the store but the clerks were taken in by the fake, too, and suggested she contact the manufacturer. When she persisted in her complaint, the store manager apologized and offered a full refund. And she's livid, because......?

Some thief pulled a switcheroo, and she was inconvenienced because of it. She's not out of money.

And why is this in the political forum?

[Spaten_Drinker]

This was definitely a scam. The person bought the iPAD and switched it out and returned to the store for a refund. Apple needs to "brick" the unit's IP address when she tries to register it with Apple.