Counterfeit/Mislabeled RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Sold as New at Walmart
Before I get started, I want to preface everything with the fact that I am a first-time PC builder, so please bear with me if I make any mistakes in terminology or if I don't explain something in full. I spent a while searching for parts for my PC and also building it. After learning I was sold this GPU and Walmart wouldn't take it back I just really need support so that I can figure this out.
I am posting here to document a serious product fraud situation involving a mislabeled MSI graphics card purchased from Walmart Supercenter #5023 in National City, CA on May 11, 2026. I have already filed a formal support ticket with MSI, reports with the FTC, CA Attorney General, BBB, and Nvidia, and I am in the process of filing a Chase debit card dispute. I am posting here for additional visibility and to request any community or staff insight.
What I purchased:
MSI GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Shadow 2x OC Plus
Purchase price: $511.11
What I actually received:
An RTX 4060 8GB is fraudulently packaged inside an RTX 5060 Ti box with a mislabeled sticker applied to the physical card.
How I discovered it:
After completing a full PC build around this GPU, the system identified the card as an RTX 4060 on boot. I initially assumed it was a driver error and spent significant time reinstalling drivers and resetting the system before running GPU-Z, which confirmed the card as an RTX 4060 with only 8,192 MB VRAM rather than the 16,384 MB I paid for.
Physical evidence collected:
GPU-Z confirms: RTX 4060, 8,192 MB VRAM, Ada Lovelace architecture
Board code printed on the physical PCB: MS-V516 VER:1.0, which I confirmed via Google search corresponds to an RTX 4060, not an RTX 5060 Ti
Visible dust on the GPU fan blades upon first opening, consistent with a previously used card. A new GPU does not accumulate dust inside sealed retail packaging.
The label affixed to the physical card displays RTX 5060 Ti specifications but the underlying hardware is an RTX 4060
The physical card design, PCB layout, and cooler form factor do not match reference images of the Shadow 2x OC Plus
The card appears to be a different MSI product series than what was advertised and sold
What happened at Walmart:
I returned to Walmart on May 23, 2026, 12 days after purchase and within their 15-day electronics return window, with the physical GPU, original box, all original packaging, and all evidence documented above. Walmart customer service initially offered a refund but I declined because the item was purchased on sale and a refund at sale price would not allow me to repurchase the same item at the current retail price. Please really focus on the fact that Walmart offered me a full refund initally and when I denied I explained all the differences between the GPU that they sold me, ranging from physical to the board code to what GPU Z showed me. The Walmart employees couldn't tell the difference between the GPUs until I pointed out the differences to them. I requested an exchange for the correct product.
After I presented all the evidence to the store manager, Walmart reversed its refund offer entirely and claimed the item had been "tampered with". This claim is directly contradicted by the dust on the fans, which proves the card was used before it ever reached me. (There is a ton of dust like the GPU has been used for a while. Walmart also refused to check whether this specific unit had been previously returned and restocked, which would have been a straightforward internal check. I have the physical GPU, original box, all packaging, GPU-Z screenshots, board code photos, proof of purchase, and a full documentation package available.
Has anyone seen a similar situation with mislabeled MSI cards being restocked and resold? Any input from MSI staff or experienced community members is appreciated.
I suspect that if the item hasn't been returned and then sold to me, either a delivery driver swapped it out or a walmart employee swapped it out.
I have a multitude of photos, documentation, and also videos to prove this entire situation. I tried uploading them all here but I guess the files are too large.
Thank you for taking time out of you day to help someone who is desperately needing help.
