[zeuls]

What if you’d say that is exactly how you received the phone? You think they can prove you wrong? Do you know if your friend has experienced this?

I think that would work in this case, to just deny any accusations. I haven’t left any fingerprints on the dummy phone ever since i received it and the first person that would break the seals would have their fingerprints there. And also no he hasn’t had any experience like this.

---

The check would take place shortly after the return of the phone, probably before the refund is processed.

^ That's what I was questioning with this:

Are you referring to Apple checking the box at the time of the return

No not Apple specifically, but the store employees would be the ones who do the check.

Are you absolutely certain they'll tear both pull tab seals and check what's Inside, when the box represents a legit return with no signs of tampering?

To not void the warranty, do they go through the meticulous process of resealing It (with phones legitimately returned) as per Its factory state, and then place It back Into stock?

From what he said, they would tear them and inspect the phone in another department before putting the phone back to sale. He also mentioned that the warranty is only for the client and not the business, meaning that they can break the seals and replace them without losing warranty. Also since they got a retailing contract with Apple they must’ve sent them replacement seals as well.

---

The check would take place shortly after the return of the phone, probably before the refund is processed.

^ That's what I was questioning with this:

Are you referring to Apple checking the box at the time of the return

Are you absolutely certain they'll tear both pull tab seals and check what's Inside, when the box represents a legit return with no signs of tampering?

To not void the warranty, do they go through the meticulous process of resealing It (with phones legitimately returned) as per Its factory state, and then place It back Into stock?

I have done a legit return in an Apple store where I live before, iPhone 13 Pro Max, completely sealed, and I got told it was their policy to open returns there and then and check it before processing refund.

If let’s say they do the same thing to me when I request the refund, there and then. What could I possibly say when they find out the phone is a dummy? Deny everything or say that I was aware that I won’t be receiving a refund so I mistakenly put a wrong phone there and just sealed it back with it’s original seal?
Last option would be for me to just carefully remove the seals again and put the original back in place to get a legit refund..