This keyboard we bought is "new"

Apple’s standalone Touch ID keyboards are only sold in silver and black, even though lovely, colored models are sold with iMacs. Getting a purple shade meant turning to eBay. Unboxing the keyboard caused me to start doubting myself.

Self-doubt

Popping the box open, the first thing I spotted was a Lightning port connector. Huh… I was sure I bought a USB-C model. That connector hole looked properly sized for USB-C.

I peeled back the wrapping packing when the Touch ID eye on this filthy key began glaring at me.

Nope, something’s amiss

The dirty sensor immediately tipped the scales. I knew I had purchased an open-box item that claimed to be in new condition. The keyboard the seller sent was a scam. I took more pictures to document the absurd item and start a claim.

Apple products have notoriously tough glue, and bits can't be separated without careful heating techniques.

Pièce de résistance: the serial number comparison. The model and serial numbers etched on the keyboard didn't match the values reported when the device got plugged in.

Kids, look at this!

My kids were excited to begin using the new keyboard right away, but then I started pointing out all of the things that it had wrong.

”What a ripoff!” my 8-year-old son pouted.

I showed them how to begin the seller claim, and now they're fascinated and ask me every day when we’ll be made whole. They’ve also got a better eye for fakes now.