Rocks replace iPods in Texas Target stores

Mac News Network ^ | 10/8/2007

[Swordmaker]

Two Texas Target stores have served as scenes of embarrassment for the brick-and-mortar retail chain after an angry mother discovered rocks inside the box that was supposed to contain a shiny new $350 iPod. The box, which weighed as much as the iPod it was supposed to contain, was destined as a birthday gift to her teenage daughter. Upon returning to the store, Target employees believed the story but said they were sold out of that particular iPod model and that the woman was not allowed a refund in cash because she had purchased the device on her Target card. Driving with her daughter to another Target store in Grand Prairie, they used their store-only credit to purchase another iPod after Target employees forbid them to open the box before purchasing the device. Opening the supposed iPod in front of Target employees revealed yet another helping of rocks with no portable player in sight.

The mother was again refused a refund in cash, so instead told her daughter to pick out $350 worth of Target merchandise. Target said it is working with local law enforcement to resolve the issue but gave no details about the ongoing investigation, according to Star-Telegram.com.

The Texas resident's misfortune is not the first time scammers used cellophane-wrapped Apple boxes to get their hands on the company's market leading iPod. Two separate reports surfaced in December of 2005 describing the experiences of Wal-Mart customers who purchased what they thought to be an iPod, only to find a sealed fish or meat product in one instance and a six-pack of AA batteries taped together in another. The culprit in the latter case even took the time to tape a piece of paper to the batteries with buttons and a screen drawn on the surface.

[Swordmaker]

iRock

[Darkwolf377]

These people should just sell the “ipod box containing rocks” on ebay. Seems like every other piece of junk in the world is on there which some dope buys because of some media connection. (”As seen on TV—the ipod box that caused all the controversy!”)

[neb52]

I worked the shoes and mens department at a Target back in my High School days. A lot women steal the shoes, especially the generic white ones that I think Keds made popular. When cleaning and straightening up at the end of the day, I would find the old pair in the shoe box. Evidently the “customer” would just wear the new pair out. Much easier then trying to still clothing.

[coconutt2000]

The mother was again refused a refund in cash

A cash refund should be unnecessary. A refund back to the card should be possible and in this case, certainly warranted.

[elli1]

After the second incident at a second Target store, Target should have jumped thru hoops to deliver an IPOD.

[RayChuang88]

I'm surprised that someone from Apple's management and/or PR department didn't hear about this story and personally delivered a new iPod classic 160 GB to the customer.

[martin_fierro]

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[cyborg]

That’s why Target is so lame. I won’t shop there.

[N. Theknow]

These people should just sell the “ipod box containing rocks” on ebay. Seems like every other piece of junk in the world is on there which some dope buys because of some media connection. (”As seen on TV—the ipod box that caused all the controversy!”)

Well, that's just being silly Mr. Darkwolf377.

Now, if it had a resemblance of the Virgin Mary or Jesus on it.....

[dfwgator]

"All I got is a rock."

[Hydroshock]

Way back when I worked as a service tech atr a Beast Buy (The spelling is intentional). I opedne da box on a HP computer and found a bunch of taped firewood packaged in thebox. I figure the computer was stolen at the warehouse.

Earlier this year I bought a knife at Walmart, I opened the box (it was a name brand I bought.)> Someone switched the knife out for a cheapo piece of junk. I showed it to the sporting goods manager, he got me another and commented that he had seen this before. The loading dock people were stealing them blind he said.

[Swordmaker]

The loading dock people were stealing them blind he said.

Way back when, Mrs. Swordmaker and I bought a Panasonic 19" TV from JC Penney's for $319. We picked up the sealed box from the loading dock and brought it home. When I opened it, we found about $2500 in small electronic merchandise packed in the box. Penney's electronics department manager was NOT pleased.

[elli1]

I totally agree.