Apparently Wal-Mart needs to do some cleanup in the Electronics Department. Two recent Wal-Mart customers--one in Honolulu, the other in Des Moines--purchased iPods, only to find later that the iPod inside the box had been removed, replaced with an item of similar weight, and resealed.

One of two possibilities exist: either one or more employees are performing the ripoff, or people are buying iPods, performing the replacements, and returning the iPods to the store for a replacement for other merchandise (2-for-1 theft).

This is probably an isolated thing--there were after all MILLIONS of iPods sold this Christmas.  

Macworld UK is reporting that the iPod brand is the strongest brand in the US, according to branding and design consultancy Landor Associates and research firm Penn, Schoen & Berland.

The study attempts to measure recognizability in consumer's minds, and whether consumers are optimistic about the brand for next year.  

I hope you are having a great holiday season.

FreeiPodGuy doesn't like free iPod scams. However, legitimate giveaways are great, especially when for a good cause. If you live in Alabama, Florida or Georgia and have some extra blood you don't need, you can visit LifeSouth Community Blood Centers for a chance to save a life and win an iPod shuffle at the same time.

For more information about donating, visit LifeSouth.