No doubt the "new" one he got at a discount was a refurb as well. I had to exchange my 3gs due to a bad battery. The Apple guy brought out a white box 3gs as a replacement. I asked if it was new, and he got a little cryptic only saying it was in "like new condition."

Isn't that basically the best possible reasonable outcome in that scenario?

Would you prefer to spend the same amount of money, and then wait 3-8 weeks for it to get shipped off to a repair facility to be worked on?

Oh, I absolutely agree. I think it is great.

My comment was with regards to the grandparent post that claimed he had to purchase a new replacement--complaining it was wasteful.

My point was that he very likely got a refurb, and then related my refurb replacement story.

Sorry for not being clear.