Customer: 'Walmart Ripped Me Off'

A reader named Rebecca Bitsko contacted Tucker Patch to relate what happened to her at the local when she attempted to buy an iPad.

I wanted to share my story with you in order to give other consumers a heads up, and to try to get my problem resolved.

I bought an iPad from the Tucker Walmart on Saturday during the tax-free holiday. When I opened it at home, the box contained pads of paper - no iPad (see photo). This has happened before (I wasn't aware of it at the time):

I immediately returned the box of paper to the store, but Walmart would not, and still will not, "give" me an iPad (that I paid $600 for). They claim the switch did not occur in their store and therefore is not their responsibility. They told me it was my responsibililty to contact Apple, which I have, and am still waiting on their investigation.

It is five days later and I’ve tried to get a response from Walmart at the store level, through an online message to Walmart headquarters, through Twitter, and through two calls to headquarters.

On my call to headquarters today, Thursday, Aug. 16, Walmart said they needed three (more?) full business days to investigate. I don’t understand. It seems like there must be something in place to protect consumers against this kind of scam.

The management at the Tucker Walmart has been so extremely rude to me it is unbelievable. When I returned the iPad, I spent about two hours in the store trying to get some kind of resolution, or at least documentation of the problem.

I didn't think I'd get too far with a receipt and box of paper. They wouldn't document anything, but called the DeKalb police for me. But, when they called, they didn't know the address (of their own store). I ended up calling the police back and waiting forever for them to come. 

Meanwhile, the managers/employees were running around with the box and wrapper and not communicating with me at all. They told me that they couldn't even start their investigation until Monday and they'd call me in a few days. That just doesn't seem acceptable to me. 

I don't think I got an apology, although one of the managers claimed she apologized. They claim they are confident that the switch didn't happen in their store, but regardless, I think they should be the ones following up. 

I called headquarters from the store on Saturday, and then again today, and today headquarters said they would have it investigated, and get back with me in three business days. I think it is crazy to treat a customer like this.

Tucker Patch is following up on this story and is waiting to hear back from Walmart and Apple officials with their responses.

Has anything similar happened to you? Tell us in the comments below-