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MagnumSRT8 · Mar 30, 2008, 01:55 AM

The iPOD switcheroo Strikes again. I need your help. Today (Sat 29 March) I purchased an iPOD Classic Black 160GB from a Sears store. I paid for the iPOD, picked it up at merchandise pick-up, put it in the bag provided & left the store. Approximately 1 hour later, I peeled the shrink wrap from the box & found that it did not contain an iPOD. Instead eight AAA batteries were taped to what I assume is the iPOD packaging material inside the box. I returned to the store & requested a refund. The store manager said that it was not a Sears problem as I had left the store before I opened the box. She suggested I contact Apple. I did. Apple said it is not their problem it is Sears'. I have the names of all involved, the receipt, the packaging, & the Police Department Incident number. Yep, just like the article & thread already posted onMacNN I got toasted. THE QUESTION IS: DOES ANYBODY KNOW HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVE THIS RIPOFF? ALL PARTIES AGREE I GOT SCAMMED, BUT ALL PARTIES ALSO SAY ITS MY PROBLEM NOT THEIRS. THANKS MAGNUMSRT8

Big Mac · Mar 30, 2008, 02:03 AM

This has happened before? Link? Sorry to hear of such an experience. I don't really understand how that could happen, actually.

vmarks · Mar 30, 2008, 02:12 AM

It is unfortunately frequent at other retailers like Target and BestBuy.

target ipod rocks - Google Search

vmarks · Mar 30, 2008, 02:15 AM

Magnum, I think I might call Apple from Sears with the store manager there.
After explaining it to the person who answers the phone, ask to be transferred to executive relations.

Alternatively ask to speak with someone who is involved in Apple's reseller program.

Apple and Sears are going to have to find a way to resolve it, and you're going to need to bring them together to do it.

Big Mac · Mar 30, 2008, 02:37 AM

That's hella-lame. Apple may have to design future packaging with a perforated area you need to open so that the box would clearly show signs of tampering if reshrink wrapped and returned.

MacNNUK · Mar 30, 2008, 02:52 AM

Get the Police to fingerprint everything.

ctt1wbw · Mar 30, 2008, 10:15 AM

Contact Sears Corporate, then the State Attorney General. Call them while you are in the store and be loud and obnoxious about it.

mduell · Mar 30, 2008, 02:23 PM

Contact your credit card company, they'll take care of it for you.

bearcatrp · Mar 30, 2008, 03:02 PM

Call your local news station and give them the story. Hopefully, they will air it. Sears and Apple won't like the bad publicity and hopefully one will step up with a new ipod for you. Still contact your state attorney general though.

turtle777 · Mar 30, 2008, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

Contact your credit card company, they'll take care of it for you.

Best advice.

All the press, police and DA crap won't get you anywhere. It's too small of a fish.

-t

CorpITGuy · Mar 31, 2008, 08:55 AM

This is why I use American Express.

turtle777 · Mar 31, 2008, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by CorpITGuy

This is why I use American Express.

Seconded.

I never had trouble with Amex when there were fraudulent charges on my account.

-t

Eriamjh · Apr 1, 2008, 08:20 PM

Reverse the charge. If you paid cash, then all you can do it get mad. And that probably won't help.

MacosNerd · Apr 2, 2008, 06:37 AM

So is this problem only at department stores or the apple store as well. I remember reading about this type of thing around Christmas time but that was a target if memory servers me.