And there the story idea came. We got to thinking about how many people went in to Target stores across the nation, buying a newer, more full featured than its predecessor, aluminum iPod nano, and went back to the store to get a refund with their old iPod mini substituted inside.

Intelligent and well-versed employees who knew what the new nano looked like would of course, turn that person down on the spot if they tried to return it. In this case, for the iPod mini we saw locked up in display, the con artist was successful in making the switch-- an unsuspecting or just not informed employee who didn't know any better, authorizing the return.

By the same token, how many people went to the store to buy an iPod nano, and not knowing any better themselves, bought that iPod mini and took it home, thinking they had a brand spanking new nano model. Worse yet, after discovering the mistake--especially if they already had a mini in their possession--tried to take it back to the store for a refund or exchange.

Then tried explaining that predicament to customer service and/or the store manager. "Yeah, um, I came and bought this yesterday, and discovered an iPod mini inside." Right.

The other angles to that were, what of Apple themselves, who designed a product box for the second generation iPod nano that just so happened to be the right size for an iPod mini to fit inside? Fitting perfectly. (Which begs the question whether Apple Stores processed any of these switched out minis and nanos).

At least, whoever bought that mini inside a nano case got an iPod inside as opposed to rocks!

Fast forward to this year, where earlier this month, another Target shopper who, although he didn't find rocks inside his box, didn't quite exactly get the iPod he wanted either. The purchase was for an iPod classic, but inside was a somewhat beat up, original iPod with video that the first buyer switched out and somehow was able to reseal the package in plastic wrap.

Thus the reason for the backstory--and until today, a never been published before story--that leads to today's main piece.

Keeping all of that in mind, we thought it was only appropriate to provide you with some safe shopping tips, as well as certain techniques that can protect you and the person receiving the gift, should something else other than an mp3 player reside in the box when it's time to unwrap!

"Rock runaround, the Christmas tree, have a crappy holiday..."

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