A husband and wife who purchased a $3,000 M4 MacBook Pro from Best Buy claim that a used, older model was inside its sealed packaging. Morebell (@morebellsmel) uploaded a series of viral TikTok detailing her issues that accrued over 375,000 views.
She says in her first clip: “Last night we went to Best Buy to buy my husband a new Macbook Pro. And this is what came in the sealed box. The Macbook Pro sealed box. Let me show you guys.”
Morebell shows off Apple’s trademark white packaging. The front graphic on the box shows an image of a Space Black hued Macbook Pro. At first glance, it seems like there’s nothing out of the ordinary.
“All right, so, these boxes come with the sealant, right here.” At this point in the video, she flips the box over to show off a duo of green and white tabs. Customers who’ve purchased items from the Cupertino-based tech giant will be familiar with these stickers. They’re meant to indicate that the contents inside of the packaging are brand new. I.e., they haven’t been touched since arriving straight from Apple.
Sealed MacBook
If these labels were severed, then this could mean the product inside the box may’ve been swapped or tampered with. Morebell runs her finger along the entire length of the box. In doing so, she shows that the sticker has indeed been separated.
However, according to the TikToker, the seal wasn’t broken when they received it. In fact, she says the seal she showcased in the video was ripped by her husband. Furthermore, the second sealed tab on the opposite side of the box’s back remained intact.
“And you can see the other one down there, and that one’s still sealed.” Following this, she turns the box back so its front is facing upwards. Then, while still recording, she lifts the front side of the packaging to reveal its contents.
“So he opens the one seal, opens the box.” Unlike the image on the packaging, there’s a gray/silver Macbook inside. Moreover, the Apple logo emblazoned on the front of the laptop is white. Additionally, it appears to be made out of a different texture/material from the rest of the computer. This suggests that this particular model is an older one, with an Apple logo that lights up whenever it’s powered on.
A different MacBook
Conversely, newer, M4 MacBook Pro variants do indeed sport Apple logos on the front. However, they don’t light up. They also sport a shiny, metallic design that is in line with their selected color scheme.
Morebell goes on to highlight the glaring disparity her and her husband were met with upon purchasing the computer. “And we ordered, mind you, or got, picked up, a black, the galaxy black one. And this was in here,” she says.
She shows what seems like signs of prior usage. “And you can see that it’s all scratched up and messed up, and it looks old.” She drags her index finger around the blemishes, which are visible on camera. Afterward, she points out the Apple logo. “And it’s also an older model because the Apple lights up, so.”
She cracks open the laptop, which is powered off. Remnants of dust which mirror the keyboard’s design are visible on the glossy glass of the computer’s screen. The TikToker continues to narrate about the disappointing find in what they thought was a new M4 MacBook box.
In addition to the laptop being an older model, there are three keys missing from its keyboard: a,s, and c.
Morebell continues, “And this is the computer that was, that we just paid $3,000 for.” Other marks can be seen on the laptop: black streaks are on the left hand edge of the product’s body. The end of her video shows her husband walking through the Best Buy parking lot with the box under his left arm.
Best Buy follow-up
In a second video chronicling their experience with the MacBook “scam” purchase, Morebell delineates what went down. She says that upon bringing the laptop to a register, a store employee immediately called for assistance. Subsequently, a manager arrived, who the TikToker said gave them an attitude right from the get go.
Morebell says she had her five year old child with them when they bought the $3,000 MacBook Pro. Consequently, they didn’t wait around at the register to watch the worker verify that the new product was untouched. Instead, she was entertaining her child, who walked around the store to take a look at all of the shiny products on display.
At home, while she gave their child a bath, her husband showed her the contents of the packaging. Initially, she thought it was just the wrong color. But upon further inspection, Morebell learned they were the victims of a bait and switch.
By the time they opened the box, the Best Buy store was closed. However, Geek Squad services were still available. So her husband notified the location’s tech team to alert them of the situation. The employees informed them that they could bring the laptop back to the store the following morning to sort out the issue.
Best Buy’s response
While discussing the issue with the Best Buy manager, Morebell’s husband asked if these types of swaps occur regularly. The employee tersely stated that it doesn’t, and allegedly acted brusquely towards Morebell and her husband. She says that while the worker at the register was treating them kindly, the manager’s behavior felt accusatory.
Unappreciative of the supervisor’s attitude, Morebell asked the cashier if the store was willing to redress the situation. She went on to highlight that they never received an apology for the mix-up. Additionally, she explained that they frequently shop at Best Buy to support local brick and mortar stores. Also, they’re signed up for rewards programs and regularly spend their money at the establishment.
The worker at the cash register explained that the store would overnight the couple a new laptop. However, Morebell told her viewers that the experience ultimately left a bad taste in their mouths. Now, they don’t feel comfortable purchasing “big ticket items” from the retailer ever again. She adds that if they do buy anything at Best Buy, they’re going to ensure the products are “verified” at the register.
Best Buy MacBook Replacement
In a third video, Morebell shows off an opened cardboard package on camera. She said that the parcel, which was supposed to be a signature only delivery, was “thrown at [her] gate.”
Next, she continues with her unboxing video to see if Best Buy made good on their promise. The husband reveals what looks like a brand-new laptop. It’s nestled in sheer plastic sheets, which are removed easily. Morebell urges him to fully inspect the computer, as it was “thrown” at their doorstep.
Her husband then lifts the front of the computer, which immediately begins powering on. The iconic Apple power-on chime resounds throughout the video, as he shows off the computer to the camera. After ensuring the power brick and charging cable are in the box, the video comes to a close while the MacBook’s welcome screen cycles on its display.
@morebellsmel We bought a $3k Mac book pro from @Best Buy last night, and this is what we found in the box after opening it ?. Please, someone explain! #bestbuy #fail #apple #macbook #robbed #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – The HomeschoolTeacher | WFHM
Best Buy switches
Unfortunately for consumers, there appears to be a big market for Apple product swindlers. One needn’t search too ardently to find private sellers shilling Apple MacBook sealant stickers. On eBay, sellers offer a pair of them for around $12.
So, folks hoping to swap out a broken or old laptop can purchase a new one. Then, they can remove the contents and affix these seals to the box. Con artists who do so are probably banking on employees who, upon seeing the seals are unbroken, will process the return.
And it seems like Morebell and her husband weren’t the only victims of a Best Buy MacBook bait and switch. One Redditor in a now-deleted post complained about the same thing happening to them. Utilizing the internet archiving service, Wayback Machine, The Mary Sue was able to discern the original contents of the post.
The user, who posts under the handle @firenotfired, aired their grievances, and their shock at seeing they received an older computer. “Bought a new MacBook M4 from Best Buy and when I opened the box I saw a scratch on the laptop. And some fingerprints which I thought was shoddy QC,” they wrote.
However, upon firing up the machine, they learned it wasn’t an M4 MacBook Pro at all. But a variant that was three years older. “I went into the settings after booting the machine and saw it was a 2021 M1 model with 125 cycles on the battery!”
The Mary Sue has reached out to Best Buy via email and Morebell via TikTok comment for further information.
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