[mothered]

from what i gather the sealed box method requires a little bit of expertise? have you any idea how difficult it is to do it with an ipad box?

Yes, the sealed box method requires fine attention to detail, but It's not to say It can't be done.

I haven't personally tried the IPad, but I do know that It's wrapped In clear film with a plastic strip on one side that you'd peel to take out the box.

I think wrong item would have less chance of me screwing it up. My dad  lives in the next city over. Different surname. No link according to amazon. So i would order the similary weighted item off his amazon. Receive it first then swap it out when my ipad arrives?

That's the correct approach with the Amazon account.

In terms of the wrong Item, try and order It as close as possible to the purchase date of the IPad.