Phony iPods are bargains too good to be true

With bad economic times and Christmas around the corner, bargain hunters are going to be out in droves.

But if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Clever copies of Apple’s iPod Shuffle and iPod Nano models have popped up for sale on the Internet, often priced substantially cheaper than the real deal. Lockport resident Jake Crandall bought his phony iPod Nano off eBay in early November for $99.99, $50 cheaper than a store-bought version.

“The first thing I noticed was the packaging,” Crandall said. “It was in a crinkled sleeve, just not as clean and neat as something Apple would put out.” It’s easier for sellers to peddle a fake over the Internet, since customers don’t get a chance to examine the product before they buy.