Technology

Woman Embarrassingly Buys $180 Block of Wood Thinking It’s an iPad

“Spectacularly stupid.”

That’s what Gawker is calling Ashley McDowell, the woman who bought a block of wood with an Apple logo on it, thinking it was an iPad.

Two men approached McDowell in a South Carolina McDonald’s parking lot and told her they had a special deal on new iPads. They wanted $300 for their specially-painted block of wood, but when McDowell only had $180, they decided to make the deal anyway. It wasn’t until McDowell got home that she realized her super cool new gadget was really a wooden block.

Woman Buys Block of Wood Thinking Its An iPad

Woman Buys Block of Wood Thinking Its An iPad

There’s more.

After McDowell realized her mistake, she called the police  and they actually launched an investigation into the duplicitous scammers. McDowell claims that the men told her they bought the iPads in bulk and were selling them at a discount.

But the craziness doesn‘t end with McDowell’s less-than-prudent purchase or the police investigation. The crooks are bonkers, too. They took the time to paint a screen and a couple of fake icons onto the block of wood they sold in a taped-up FedEx box. They may be good artists, but if anyone asked to open the box it’d be pretty hard to pass a block of wood off as the sleek (not wood) new tool, even with the most accurate of painted-on icons. It’s probably a better idea to keep people from opening the package in the first place.

A warning to all the bargain hunters out there: If you swipe the screen of your new iPad and get a splinter, you may have gotten duped. In addition, a general caution to not make purchases from guys who approach you in McDonald’s parking lots.

Comments (152)

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  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:12am

    She got exactly what she paid for..

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:41am

      She got very tired from untangling the string between the two tin cans from her previous phone.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • gotta light
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:42am

      LMAO !!!!

      I bet the last time she was CONNED this well was in 2008!
      Think about it… think about it….. there ya go… You get it now….
      She voted for who in 2008? LOL

      God I know she got taken but this story made me smile ear to ear… You know there were probably lots of red flags, bells and buzzers going off around her that she CHOSE to overlook…

      Hey bud gotta light?

      Report Post » gotta light  
    • robroy1974
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:58am

      WOODEN you have thought that she WOOD have SAW that she had a a fake iPad when she tried to LOG on to the internet?
      What was she… a blonde? Check her ROOTS.
      Selling these from a TRUNK should have been a clue.
      Did she AXE about a warranty?
      To use the keyboard she WOOD have to have been a “Hunt and WOODPECKER” typist.
      One glance and she should have seen it was KNOT real.
      I think I saw these guys selling down at the intersection of MAPLE and ELM.
      I’ll bet she feels like a real ASH.
      Could she return it if it didn’t work because it was OAKEN.
      The art work was low resolution as the picture on the screen was a bit GRAINY.

      Enough.

      Report Post » robroy1974  
    • SeanW
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:46pm

      Got not only exactly what she paid for but exactly what she deserved. EVERYONE knows full well that someone approaching you in a parking lot or on a street corner with any gadget for sale is a thief or selling chinese knockoffs. The dirt bag thought she was getting ahead and getting what she was entitled to. Should arrest her for attempting to procure stolen property.

      Report Post »  
    • robroy1974
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:56pm

      Hey, I just noticed her name is ASHley McDOWELL.

      Report Post » robroy1974  
    • BKing15
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:04pm

      @ROBROY1974 i love you

      Report Post » BKing15  
    • DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:06pm

      $180? What a steal!

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:26pm

      It doesn’t say if she got a wall charger or not.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:29pm

      Where is the poster that keeps telling (spamming) everyone with the great deal they and their sister got on gadgets? I‘m surprised they haven’t given the website on this link.

      Report Post »  
    • myway
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:33pm

      Another obama voter gets her ipad from a concerned black salesman and even got a nearly 50% discount. What is she complaining about she got one hell of a deal. I have a hard time with painted wood and shinny plastic too!

      A Jewish ****** was selling in a parking lot and was asked how much and she said 25 dollars same as downtown. All I have is 15 dollars mam! Well OK, but I want you to know I am not going to make anything off this deal.

      Report Post » myway  
    • myway
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:35pm

      She is an obama voter it is not her fault.

      Report Post » myway  
    • right-wing-waco
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 2:12pm

      Beachfront property for sale here…

      Report Post »  
    • old white guy
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 2:46pm

      where the entire country is headed.

      Report Post »  
    • Evil Bert
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:31pm

      She should be arrested for being so stupid. The “crooks’ should be applauded for either being such good salesmen or for being abel to identify the dumbest person on earth. The cops should fine her the other $180 bucks fro wasting their time.

      Report Post »  
    • Thombob
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 5:54pm

      A fool and their money are soon departed.

      Report Post »  
    • looseyloo
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 11:43pm

      There is an old saying, “You can’t cheat an honest person.”

      The woman got what she deserved. But, adding more debt to her Karma, she called the police, in an attempt to portray herself as an honest woman who got robbed.

      She should have left it alone, thankful for the lesson learned, but now she is on the public record as a certified simpleton. And she has a block of wood that she paid $180 for. Justice was served.

      Report Post »  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 1:42am

      @robroy1974
      lol, that was great man.

      Report Post » Pontiac  
    • Wyatt's Torch
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 6:00am

      She probably oPINEd for some time about buying a SPRUCEd up piece of wood.
      I CAMBIUM think of anything that could make her SYCAMORE than losing that much cASH.
      Too bad she did KNOT have her husband with her, because she CORD have had HEMLOCK the doors when they SAW these ASHs approaching and then LEAVE the area.
      Only a DOGWOOD do something like to this to another person, but then again how HARDWOOD it have been to just open the BOX ELDER?
      She just didn’t think, but MAPLE next time she WILLOW. ELM pretty sure she will never do this again.
      I hope these type of crimes and criminals don’t BRANCH out become more POPLAR.

      Report Post » Wyatt's Torch  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 7:17am

      @robroy1974

      That was too funny! Love the puns. But you better watchout, the thought police may come after you.

      Report Post »  
    • mils
      Posted on September 1, 2011 at 9:10am

      she probably voted for obama…

      Report Post »  
  • ddg7
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:10am

    It‘s Apples new ’GREEN’ version of the ipad. Their still trying to work the ‘bugs’ out of it.

    Report Post »  
    • CurlyJ49
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:25am

      Can’t be that green if it requires the killing of trees to produce…

      Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:36am

      trees are a RENEWABLE resource.
      At least that is what the greenies are saying NOW.
      They wanted all the paper bags gone, so they forced plastic on us.
      Then, they realized they filled landfills. So, they added cornstarch.
      Then, they decided that wasn’t good enough. Now, they are saying trees are renewable.

      The fact is, “green” is a scam that dupes the gullible, willing naive.
      I’m all for being good stewards of the earth, but, these people will jump on ANY and EVERY bandwagon that comes along, as proven by the above example.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • allredtail
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 11:08am

      Why is it not “green” to kill a tree for your use, but it is “green” to kill a lettuce or broccoli plant for your use?????? CURLYJ49 what is your house made from??? Greenies can be so ignorant at times.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:33pm

      @TomFerrari

      I agree. We’re called to be good stewards, but these people just go too far. Aldi’s (if you have them, you’ll know this) grocery stores don’t give out bags at all. They offer the chance to purchase a high quality plastic bag (not the flimsy little ones that a container of spaghetti will tear) so you can use it again, or a paper sack or for a little more a canvas one that you can reuse and wash, with a hard plastic bottom. I prefer to reuse my bags, so I bought several cloth ones. As for when I forget to bring them with me, I reuse the flimsy plastic ones that haven’t torn as liners for the living room waste basket or to hold kitty litter scooped out.

      Report Post »  
    • fatjack
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 2:08pm

      What a dodo bird, I would have sold her my Brooklyn Bridge for $170.

      Report Post » fatjack  
  • BarneyFyfe
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:02am

    Can’t fix stupid!

    Report Post » BarneyFyfe  
    • Mike11C
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 6:08pm

      Sure you can. “Stupid” is just a “rectal-cranial inversion”. All you need to cure it is a tub of vasoline and a cro-bar.

      Report Post »  
  • A MERICAN
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:47am

    It’s hard to con someone unless they are greedy – price so low you just gotta know it’s stolen. That should be enough to make you walk away right there. By buying stolen property you are infact helping (after the fact) rip somebody off. Well, then you find out you got ripped. I bet she would not have called the police if she had indeed bought a real ipad fir 180 bucks tho would she. Nope – she called them cause she got ripped trying to buy stolen property.

    Report Post »  
  • HTuttle
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:46am

    I wonder who she voted for in 2008?

    Report Post »  
    • cemerius
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:05am

      Obama…or maybe we are lucky and she didn’t vote at all…one of those “zombies”

      Report Post » cemerius  
  • CaffeineJunkie
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:45am

    How long was she trying to turn it on I wonder before she realized it was fake?

    Report Post » CaffeineJunkie  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:52am

      You know she has to be a blond. She also probably tried to get curtains for her PC since it came with Windows. :)

      Good night, folks – I’m here all week. Try the veal, and don’t forget to tip your servers.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:37am

      good one, bio!

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:59am

      Thanks! :)

      Report Post » biohazard23  
  • felix
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:43am

    another obama voter,without a doubt!

    Report Post »  
  • kgneese
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:43am

    This was actually sent to me wonder how often it works

    Please we notify you mail just now, I writes to confirm you that it is true that we received an ordered to commence the transfering of your fund to you and be informed that the payment has be sent some money on your name today but be informed that you have to pay us the total sum of $185 being your payment file verification and confirmation fee before you could be allowed to pick up the $6,000 which was sent in your name today and I wish to assure you that this payment was legally approved by the federal government of this federation assigned by the ministery of finance in your favour.

    I re-checked the status of the transfer for more confirmations and find out that as a result of your file verification and confirmation
    which has not be properly done, you can not pick up this this first remittance until you redeem the payment of $185 As soon as you send us the required $125 we shall logg your fund into western union telegraphic machine and thereby proceed the daily transfer of $6000 to you ( 6 ) six times per week.

    Right now, you can find the MTCN below as well as other vital informations for you to pick the first $6,000.00 which was transfered to your name today but you should understand there is no possibility for you to pick up the first $6,000 untill your contract payment file is verified and properly confirmed and that is why you needed to pay the file verification and co

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:36pm

      I get junk email like that. I’ve been awarded some huge amount of money and need to claim it, or a lady has a huge inheritance and needs help so she’ll pay me. Like the other poster said, you have to be a bit greedy to fall for it. I don’t even open the emails, for fear of a virus.

      Report Post »  
  • DanWesson455
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:41am

    They are amongst us and they are reproducing. AHHHHH!

    Report Post » DanWesson455  
  • Secessionista
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:33am

    She can make a couple of thousand dollars selling it on ebay now that this wooden ipad has notoriety. I’d buy it.

    Report Post » Secessionista  
    • cycloid
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:43am

      It’s not so spectacularly stupid. We bought Oboob.

      Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:33am

    Never underestimate the stupidity of some people.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • dave88
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:23am

    They failed to mention that this unit was actually better than the ipad 2. Typical apple user.

    Report Post »  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:29am

      The crooks are bonkers, too. They took the time to paint a screen and a couple of fake icons onto the block of wood they sold in a taped-up FedEx box. LMFAO !! this is just too much.. There’s a sucker born every minute, They must’ve saw her coming a mile away.. lol

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • Divineliberty
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:33am

      Ok how stupid do you have to be to fall for this…Ive having a hard time believing the story is true.

      Report Post » Divineliberty  
    • donttreadonme
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:34am

      Exactly. Why have cutting edge technology free of viruses and crashes when you can have a microsoft product?

      Report Post » donttreadonme  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:49am

      Looks like someone around here enjoys getting the BSOD as well as OS “upgrades” that break your machine in record time……

      Report Post » biohazard23  
  • expatinontariocanada
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:18am

    Stupid is as stupid does….

    Report Post » expatinontariocanada  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:06am

    Hey, at least she didn’t pay full price! Hey lady, I have a bar of soap painted black, want to buy an Iphone?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:05am

    Obama voter…

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:22am

      Oldest scam in the book…….. they try to sell a box with a brick in it.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • Jim in Houston
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:58pm

      RepubliCorp: OweBlamer voters are about as smart as a box of bricks.

      Report Post »  
  • RichNGadsden
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:02am

    LOL, apparently Steve at Wood Working For Mere Mortals (.com) prophesied correctly when he did his parody video on the iWood. Well, we know what they say about fools and their money.

    Report Post » RichNGadsden  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:33am

      The thing is how in the hell can you tell anyone ? I mean, they’re even printing her name and everything. I would feel like a fool and just chalk up the loss.. Use in this winter for kindling ..

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:27am

      She was dumb enough to buy it in the first place, I guess she was dumb enough to think she would get her money back.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • oldwmn
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:55am

    awwwww its a shame the nurse dropped her on her head when she was born..STUCK ON STUPID…

    Report Post » oldwmn  
  • LOLReally
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:48am

    In texas and florida I have had young men in a white van pull up next to you in traffic and say “hey! you want speakers? we were picking them up for my boss when we see there are 2 too many and if we take it back they will just keep them, and our boss will too. but we will sell the $900 pro concert speakers to you for $50 each before we get there. hurry gots to do it now” I laughed at the guys and drove off both times. However my buddy did not, in his own incident he actually bought some. when I heard about it I wanted to see just how bad they were, once unboxed they were very large 4‘ tall 2’ wide but with a tiny 4″ 10watt speaker HAHA. I knew something was off, but dang $2 worth of speaker for 100 bucks.
    I also recall a young man (african) that came door to door selling a “cleaning” product. he made it sound like it was a super cleaner, ok I said see if it will remove this stain. It did not. I asked to spray it and put some in my hand and smelled it and its WATER. I told him, if he could remove the stain then I would buy it, he left after 10 min of trying.
    The lesson learned, do not belive anything you hear, check it out for yourself, then if it does not work out you have nobody but yourself to blame.

    Report Post »  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:37am

      (african) <<<<< I guess you told us this because then we would know he was dumber than your average criminal, right ? Pfffttt ..

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:51am

      Your true colors come shining through…

      Report Post »  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:11am

      How did you know he was African?? Was he speaking Swahili, or did you just ask for his birth certificate?

      Report Post »  
  • RootsOfTruth
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:47am

    a fool & their money are soon parted

    Report Post » RootsOfTruth  
  • wesleyapril
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:44am

    I have to agree – lol – thanks for the laugh of the day – I needed one -

    Report Post »  
  • macpappy
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:33am

    Boldness of thief, stupidity of consumer..
    If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
    However, it was not crazy to try to find the thieves.

    Report Post » macpappy  
  • shirelover
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:29am

    sooo many things to say about idiots looking to make the deal of a lifetime… LOL

    Report Post » shirelover  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:28am

    .
    Was she good looking? And does she have a sister?…………

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 8:39am

      Yes and they are both looking to buy a bridge.. Do you have one ?

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • drago
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 10:44am

      Yes, she does have a sister, and paid full retail for her………at least her sister works properly, just add air, and see……

      Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:28am

    LOL…. tell me she isn’t blonde????

    Report Post »  
    • robroy1974
      Posted on August 31, 2011 at 10:37am

      WOODEN you have thought that she WOOD have SAW that she had a a fake iPad when she tried to LOG on to the internet?
      What was she… a blonde? Check her ROOTS.
      Selling these from a TRUNK should have been a clue.
      Did she AXE about a warranty?
      To use the keyboard she WOOD have to have been a “Hunt and WOODPECKER” typist.
      One glance and she should have seen it was KNOT real.
      I think I saw these guys selling down at the intersection of MAPLE and ELM.
      I’ll bet she feels like a real ASH.
      Could she return it if it didn’t work because it was OAKEN.
      The art work was low resolution as the picture on the screen was a bit GRAINY.
      She was STUMPED when she couldn’t figure out how to turn it on.

      Ok Enough.

      Report Post » robroy1974  
  • Ron Staiger
    Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:27am

    This moron attempted to buy a stolen ipad and when she got ripped had the audacity to report it to the police. Off-setting penalties-no reason to investigate

    Report Post »  
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