# Idiot Tries To Buy iPod With Bogus $4.99 Barcode **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 2, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804 "2005-12-02T20:33:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/21 "2005-12-03T00:13:15Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Really? Should I go recheck the wiring in my building? šŸ˜› No. The wiring in your building was installed by an _electrician_. Most EEā€™s (electrical engineerā€™s) wouldnā€™t have a clue how to wire up a house properly. And franklyā€¦ The kid should be punished, but a felony? Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/22 "2005-12-03T00:14:38Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Also, the misdemeanor charges of ā€œtheftā€ - is it theft if you get caught in the act? Or an attempted theft? FWIU & IANAL, itā€™s nothing at all until the person leaves the store with the unpaid for (in this case, unpaid for correctly on purpose) product. > [@](#): > > Maybe Iā€™m splitting too many hairs. Still, Iā€™m happy if it interfereā€™s with this guyā€™s getting an electrical engineering job since heā€™s clearly too dumb for that. I agree with youā€¦the $4.99 dude is too stupid to get a degree. Iā€™m curious though as to how someone that stupid can breathe. Too bad heā€™s not attending my fatherā€™s _alma mater_, Virginia Military Institute. **One** incident of theft and heā€™d be expelled. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/23 "2005-12-03T00:42:21Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > No. The wiring in your building was installed by an _electrician_. Most EEā€™s (electrical engineerā€™s) wouldnā€™t have a clue how to wire up a house properly. I knew someone was going to bring that up. But an EE designed some of the electrical components that are _in_ my building. ---
**Author:** ![Metacom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecae2f/32.png) [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/24 "2005-12-03T00:44:59Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I knew someone was going to bring that up. But an EE designed some of the electrical components that are _in_ my building. Be thankful for [Underwriters Laboratories](http://www.ul.com/), who set extremely strict standards for those electrical components. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/25 "2005-12-03T00:50:38Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > Be thankful for [Underwriters Laboratories](http://www.ul.com/), who set extremely strict standards for those electrical components. šŸ™‚ Iā€™ll toast to that! ---
**Author:** ![JonScribe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/26 "2005-12-03T00:53:53Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > No, the best part is this: > > Translation: ā€œIā€™m not sorry I did it, Iā€™m just sorry I got caught!ā€ > > **ivylass** , Iā€™ve got the rope if youā€™ve got the tree. No, no, no. Hang 'im by his earbuds. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/27 "2005-12-03T01:48:33Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Maybe he was hoping to bluff his way through with the ā€œThatā€™s what the sticker price says, you have to sell it for that ā€“ itā€™s the law!ā€ tack. And pay no attention to the taped on UPC? Throw this shmuck in the slammer until he is too old to breed. Iā€™d be more lenient if it was a clever attempt at theft, but immoral and stupid together is too much. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/28 "2005-12-03T02:57:56Z")
> [@LaurAnge](#): > > Also, what cashier is really going to say: ā€œ4.99 for an iPod? Seems fair.ā€ He was probably hoping for something along the lines of ā€œAny would you like our extended warranty with that, for only an additional ā€¦ letā€™s see ā€¦ 49 cents?ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/29 "2005-12-03T03:23:24Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > FWIU & IANAL, itā€™s nothing at all until the person leaves the store with the unpaid for (in this case, unpaid for correctly on purpose) product. Not sure about US law, but in UK law, if you switch the labels you are already committing theft, even if you donā€™t bring it to the cashier. [DPP v Gomez](http://www.leeds.ac.uk/law/hamlyn/gomez-hl.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/30 "2005-12-03T03:30:40Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Throw this shmuck in the slammer until he is too old to breed. ā€¦ Heā€™s an idiot AND an EE student - just what do you suppose his breeding options are going to consist of? Heā€™ll need a schematic to find his way. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/31 "2005-12-03T03:44:18Z")
Jesus, at least use a more realistic price! I donā€™t think the kid would have made the news had he knocked it off even to half price. 4.99 for an iPod? Kid, you deserve what you get. And you just know youā€™re going to become a legend at that store. 20 years from now, theyā€™ll still be talking about it! ---
**Author:** ![lonesome\_loser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@lonesome\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonesome_loser)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/32 "2005-12-03T03:53:20Z")
Iā€™m really sorry. It was wrong of me to have lied about the reason for going to war. I promise I will never do it again. George ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/33 "2005-12-03T04:00:28Z")
ā€œYour honor, my client would like to plead not guilty by reason of stupidity.ā€ ā€œThatā€™s not technically an allowable plea, counselor, but your client has presented some pretty compelling evidence.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/34 "2005-12-03T04:06:40Z")
> [@lonesome loser](#): > > Iā€™m really sorry. It was wrong of me to have lied about the reason for going to war. I promise I will never do it again. > > George hehe, he switched the sticker! ---
**Author:** ![EmeraldGrue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dc4da7/32.png) [@EmeraldGrue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmeraldGrue)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/35 "2005-12-03T04:51:18Z")
:smack: And to think that engineers ā€œrule the worldā€ā€¦weā€™re _doomed_. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/36 "2005-12-03T05:08:09Z")
> [@](#): > > Translation: ā€œIā€™m not sorry I did it, Iā€™m just sorry I got caught!ā€ True translation: ā€œI really didnā€™t understand the magnitude of the offense I commited, now I do and now I understand why it will never happen again, so much so that if you let me go, and if this does happen again you can string me up by my 'nadsā€ ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/37 "2005-12-03T08:31:36Z")
> [@EmeraldGrue](#): > > :smack: And to think that engineers ā€œrule the worldā€ā€¦weā€™re _doomed_. We do? Why wasnā€™t I informed? And why isnā€™t my salary bigger? ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/38 "2005-12-03T10:33:47Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > True translation: ā€œI really didnā€™t understand the magnitude of the offense I commited, now I do and now I understand why it will never happen again, so much so that if you let me go, and if this does happen again you can string me up by my 'nadsā€ > [@Idiot Kid](#): > > not knowing of the serious penalty that lies behind it Heā€™s not saying he didnā€™t know how serious the offense was - heā€™s specifically saying he didnā€™t know how serious the penalty was. In other words - he probably thought the worst that would happen is a slap on the wrist and an ejection from the store. No matter what, he had to have known what he was doing was wrong, and illegal. And he still did it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Daisy\_Mae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/39 "2005-12-03T10:57:43Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > I was the fastest cashier EVER (except for Mark, but not only did he look like Luke Skywalker, he was also a cokehead, so he was disqualified as far as I was concerned), but I still caught it. > > Take that, biatch. > > -Joe Ha! That made me giggle madly. Luke Skywalerish and a cokehead? Off with his head! ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804/40 "2005-12-03T11:03:44Z")
> [@EmeraldGrue](#): > > :smack: And to think that engineers ā€œrule the worldā€ā€¦weā€™re _doomed_. So MEs make the box the future comes in. Then EEs try to get away with putting a different UPC code on the box, hoping for a 97% discount. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idiot-tries-to-buy-ipod-with-bogus-4-99-barcode/333804.md?page=3)