Warning: Do NOT buy Apple Gift Card at Safeway (maybe other retailers too) - invalid code

I'm rather ticked off right now.

I bought a $25 Apple Gift Card at Safeway. When I tried to redeem it, it says it is invalid. After much frustration, I figured out the source of the problem -- the serial number on the envelope is different from the serial number on the actual card!

I just spent 30 minutes on chat with Apple. Sent them pictures of the card and everything. While the person on the other end tried her best, the eventual answer was, "you have to go back to the point of sales and resolve it there".

Well, I already know that most likely they are going to tell me to contact Apple. Also, what if I had gifted that card to someone? How are they going to redeem it?

Now I understand why most other gift cards have a cutout window to reveal the serial number on the card itself. That way, this problem wouldn't exist. If my card was messed up, I'm sure the other ones are too. What are the odds that I picked the only mismatched card on the rack?

Luckily it was only $25. I've wasted enough time and will just write it off as a very expensive sticker (at least the Apple sticker on the back is very pretty).

While this might be unintentional on their part, it is a scam. Money is paid to Apple that can never be redeemed for goods or services.