Originally Posted by
StraightlineBoy (mail order shoplifting would be another way of describing it
As would be mail fraud, if it in fact is done via USPS. UPS, it's just fraud, at best.
Originally Posted by
tcuprof does Apple sell open-box watches? If so, they might be a more reliable source.
No, they stopped doing that years ago. All returns go back to Apple. Now, once they're gone over, they're now sold as Refurbished aka 'refurbs' via the store. Usually the discounts for refurbs aren't that great and prices close to a tax-free resellers' New price. Selection is also somewhat slim and ephemeral for certain products.
Having bought Apple refurbs in the past, where the price makes sense, I have absolutely no qualms when buying. They are usually indistinguishable from New stock. Only the lack of retail packaging would give it away.