Woman buys ‘new’ iPad from Target with past user’s personal info

Like many bargain hunters this past weekend, Robin Crowley of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, thought she found a deal on a new iPad Air. Robin told CTV, “I actually researched in the flyers for Black Friday deals and Target as far as I was concerned had the best deal.” Buying what was sold as a brand new iPad, the shopper was surprised when she opened up the sealed box and turned on the gadget.

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Not that surprising really. But I certainly wouldn't want to pay full price for a "used" device.

This has happened several times before. These places can and will box up junk as new.

Some years back I bought a 5-disc CD player/stereo at Best Buy, got it home and it was their old display model, beat up and not even working. I called the store and the manager had this "so what?" attitude. I had to take it to another Best Buy to return it, at least that second store location was somewhat appalled by the condition.

There's been news reports of people buying things such as bricks in handheld game console boxes(new in stores, not eBay scams), and others buying such devices only to find them not only used, but with their storage full of porn.

HerrKaLeun said:

Diosoth said:

This has happened several times before. These places can and will box up junk as new.

Some years back I bought a 5-disc CD player/stereo at Best Buy, got it home and it was their old display model, beat up and not even working. I called the store and the manager had this "so what?" attitude. I had to take it to another Best Buy to return it, at least that second store location was somewhat appalled by the condition.

There's been news reports of people buying things such as bricks in handheld game console boxes(new in stores, not eBay scams), and others buying such devices only to find them not only used, but with their storage full of porn.

I don't think this is the store's fault. When an item is returned (broken, or not wanted) it goes back to the manufacturer who reconditions it (repair as needed, re-format etc.). then they get sold as "reconditioned". It seems this time the Apple reconditioner either knowingly or accidentally labelled it wrong.

I find it hard to beleive Target employees relabel Apple boxes etc.

I think it is illegal to sell them as new when they had an owner (whether they opened the package at all or not).

I've been buying re-conditioned phones, appliances, tools and other items whenever available. Chances are they never were really used, but you get full warranty at used-price. Obvioulsy they are declared as recon. In my Ryoby tools they even brand "RECON" into the plastic housing. So far they always worked great and if something broke the manufacturer honored the warranty wonderfully (only happened to an Espressomaker)

I used to work in LP the process is you return to the vendor the product period when it is returned

The vendor is at fault because technically if nothing is wrong they are supposed to do a factory reset and sell it as refurbished in this case someone dropped the ball

When it comes to how business operate, "what should be done in a situation" and "what is actually done" are not always the same thing.