I purchased a 5800x at Best Buy but experienced a fraudulent situation.
I purchased a 5800x at Best Buy but experienced a fraudulent situation.
I sent a defective EVGA CLC to Best Buy and the staff said they couldn’t issue a refund since the serial numbers didn’t match. It made me feel really embarrassed, thinking they thought I was attempting to cheat them. Later, I contacted EVGA, who explained there are two serial numbers—one from Asetek and one from us. After showing the correct one, they clarified there are two variations because EVGA doesn’t manufacture the radiator. I received the refund, but it still hurt knowing I was subtly accused of trying to scam them.
It's easy to take off a sticker. This scheme has existed for a long time, but now it's getting more attention because the scammers are getting bolder and a prominent figure is noticing.
These were probably unchecked returns or someone from the warehouse or store exchanging items. The stickers on the boxes can be removed by heating them with a heat gun, which softens the adhesive and makes peeling easier. Check if the label turns black when warmed—this indicates a potential issue. Using labels that change color could help prevent label swaps and returns. Another option is applying a wax seal with special stamps to secure the contents.