I would go back to the genius bar and be a little squeakier. Demand a replacement!

I am sorry you are having such a frustrating experience, Toddson. And that you feel like you have no valid choices to make it a different kind of experience whether that be replacing it, asking for general operation training at the Genius Bar or selling something that you chose to buy with a gift card and then buying a gift that truly made you happy. But if you feel obliged to keep it and don't find it enjoyable at all to use, it is probably best to put it in the box on the shelf and try to end the frustration at least.

If I gave someone a generous gift card, I would agree it's their right to use it (or not) as they wish, but I have to admit I would be sad that they didn't even get anything enjoyable with it, but felt like they had to keep something they couldn't use just out of obligation to me. (In other words, if I give you a coffee mug and it breaks, throw the pieces away or give them to someone who will make mosaics with them. But don't keep a broken unusable mug around to collect dust because you think I require you to do so.)

But I obviously don't know your friend or your relationship to him/her, so perhaps keeping something you can't use is exactly how he/she would like the gift to be honored.

I agree with Jon, go back to Apple and demand a replacement.

Honestly you have a good chance. Apple tends to be good on customer service. Not perfect, nobody is, but really you have a shot.

periodically the screen stops responding to taps.

I had an occasion when the screen on my iPad stopped responding. It turned out that the thumb of the hand with which I was holding the iPad had slid past the edge of the border and was pressing steadily on the screen while I was tapping with my other hand -- so the taps weren't recognized as input.

Thanks for the advice.

And it's not that something's pressing - I bought the thing a nice case and I cradle the case in my left hand while I (try to) tap with the right.

not even your palm?

my mom was holding mine over the weekend and she had one hand just slightly on the screen while touching with her other hand and it was non-responsive.

what you might want to do is: put the ipad down on a table, outside of its case, and see if your tapping problem becomes less severe. Further, I am not sure if you have long nails or if the screen has something on it, but a clean screen and short nails, no hand cream is optimal for my use.

have you tried a stylus? some people really like using one. there are a couple I use if I am spending a lot of time writing or drawing (such as I draw).

I've done the laying the thing down on a table and tapping; it still doesn't respond. The case is like a book and I'll hold the side with the iPad in it in the palm of my flattened left hand. Fingers of left hand come nowhere near the screen. I use the flat of my finger tips, although my nails will sometimes click on the screen; when it's working, the nails don't seem to cause a problem. I've tried cleaning the screen. A stylus doesn't work at all.

It's a piece of junk; I'll give it one my try with an Apple "genius" - I have an appointment Saturday morning.

I think you need to insist they give you a replacement unit.