Don't buy Apple products from Target: Customer says she was sold a dummy iPad, & Target won’t return

Photo byJHVEPhoto/Shutterstock @pattrockz/Tiktok @pattrockz/Tiktok

"We lost ‘We lost our money and the iPad". Here’s a PSA that could save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of frustration.

In a trending video, a customer from Target alerts viewers that she purchased an iPad from the store, only to discover upon arrival that it was counterfeit.

This is unexpected, considering Target is a reputable company with the legal right to sell products from Apple. It appears that the counterfeit item was likely produced by fraudsters.

The video, which has garnered over 10,000 views, features Pat (@pattrockz) sharing her experience. She mentions that her husband made the purchase at Target, and everything appeared to be in order at first glance. The packaging was genuine for Apple, and it contained a serial number on the back, which is standard, she points out.

But she says they had to return it because they needed one with more memory. That’s when things went south.

The employee at Target handling the return counter examined the device and determined it was counterfeit due to the absence of a serial number on the back, according to Pat. This led to the return being declined, despite Target being the supposed seller of the counterfeit item.

“Target can’t do anything about it. They won’t take it back. So pretty much, we lost our money and the iPad because they refuse to do anything about it,” Pat says.

How much money did the couple lose?

Depending on which iPad you get, it can run from $250 on sale to $2,000. That’s a lot of money to lose out on.

Pat urges people to open the product in the store to ensure you’re getting something legit before walking out.

This isn't the first instance the store has been accused of peddling fake goods.

Last year around the holidays, a man found that his $249 AirPods were just well-wrapped dupes (which you can order online for as little as $10.99). Another Target customer said they purchased an iPad from Target, only to end up with a cement tile.

A person on X (formerly Twitter) said they bought an Apple pencil from Target. And for the second time, they got a counterfeit one. “The guy at the tech counter says they’ve been getting lots of Apple Pencil returns lately, I wonder why,” the person wrote.

In the comment section, someone who identifies as a former employee at Target suggested that employees only have to open and inspect returned items. “I think this might have been a scheme to buy and return items, but the person behind it was probably clever enough to reseal the items as well,” they speculated.

Here are some strategies to safeguard yourself from parting with your hard-earned cash on a counterfeit item and how to identify one:

• Try to examine the product in the store (ideally, in front of a staff member). This will eliminate doubts about whether you replaced the item yourself or if the store actually sold you a counterfeit since you remained inside.
• If the device immediately displays a Bluetooth connection, it's probably been tampered with.
• The display that appears for Bluetooth connection is unique when paired with another Apple device. If this display doesn't appear, it's probably a counterfeit.
• Ensure there's a serial number. Every Apple device is equipped with a distinct serial number.
• Products such as AirPods or Apple Pencil should indicate the charging status on the device it's connected to.
• Generally, if you need to return an Apple device, it's crucial to be aware that the return period is significantly shorter than the typical 90-day policy at Target. It appears that most Apple devices offer a return period of 14-15 days, though you can verify this by checking the “Shipping & Returns” section on the product's online page.

Suggestions from viewers

People in the comments section had suggestions and insights.

“Anytime I buy huge purchases I do it with a credit card, better chances of getting your money back! Try doing a claim through your bank if you happened to use a CC,” a person said.

“THIS HAPPENED TO ME WITH AIRPOD PROS,” another shared.

“Neverrr ever buy these type of products from target, this is a known thing!! too many fake ipads, airpods out there,” a commenter wrote.