Introducing the Apple iPlank
A fool and his money are soon parted, said poet Thomas Tusser in 1557.
iHope she got a receipt.
Thanks to those who shop for electronics in McDonald’s parking lots, that idiom holds true today.
The Smoking Gun provides the details: Ashley McDowell, from Spartanburg, S.C., was at the fast food restaurant when two men asked her if she wanted to buy an iPad. They showed her a brand new iPad and told her they’d give her one just like it for $300.
She talked them down to $180 and they gave her a FedEx box from the trunk of their Impala.
Lo and behold, when she opened the box, she found out she was an iDiot.
Instead of a much-beloved tablet computer, she was the proud owner of a piece of wood painted black and adorned with Apple and Best Buy stickers.
Police say the scam is unusual only in that the crooks took the time to create a crude facsimile of the sold item.
Note: The original version of this story incorrectly said the men offered to sell a stolen iPad.
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76 comments Add your comment
Sharon
August 31st, 2011
9:06 pm
Sorry she lost her money but that was one of the funniest things I’ve read lately…really? an ipad in a McDonald’s parking lot????
Sean
August 31st, 2011
10:02 pm
Sorry, but where in the police report does it say that she was offered stolen goods to buy? The girl is stupid enough as it is… you don’t have to make her a crook too.
My Two Cents
August 31st, 2011
10:23 pm
She deserved what she received. I am sure she is so dumb she probably is not the least embarrassed about the publicity. Stupidity at its finest!
True Genius
August 31st, 2011
11:52 pm
She is better off with that piece of wood. iPads Suck!!!
Galaxy Tab 10.1 is soooo much better!!!!
Josh
September 1st, 2011
12:20 am
THIEF is not difficult to spell
Ackshun
September 1st, 2011
12:29 am
A grifter’s best mark is a dishonest man (or woman).
Fo'Landra
September 1st, 2011
12:43 am
Still $180 is not a bad price. For a few bucks more she can turn her plank over to the Geek Squad and they’ll have that baby up ‘n runnin in no time.
Spud
September 1st, 2011
1:34 am
Shouldn’t it read “from the trunk of their iMpala?” Surely she could tell the difference in an iMpala and an Apple Store!
earthworx
September 1st, 2011
3:28 am
Reminds me of the time several years ago when a co-worker bought a mini stereo from a guy at Home Depot. He brings the box back to the office and exclaims he bought this $500 stereo new-in-box for $150. He opens up the box (which had been resealed fairly authentically) and pulls out a rock. Naturally, we spent the rest of the afternoon rolling on the floor laughing.
Really
September 1st, 2011
4:54 am
Shouldn’t YOU get a life