[Nabeshin]

Is it as simple as requesting it?

If It was a simple refund/replacement request, everyone would be abusing It.

The exception Is taken on a case-by-case basis.

True, but it seems easy to pull off?

The hard part is convincing the rep on skipping the return and/or making a successful FTID in case they won't budge and then find a way to convince them to ship a new one