[zorrophreak]

I think if you say something along the lines of its broken beyond repair because you pc was knocked over by your cat or something like that it may work. Or say liquid is leaking out of it and you tried to send it but they wont let you because its a hazard.

Its a graphics card dude. Liquid leaking is pretty awful in the first place.

I mean, considering you have the device, a genuine receipt, and a genuine serial, they should be able to put in an replacement. It will probably be more difficult than sending it back and require you to jump through some hoops to prevent them from requiring you to return it, but it should be possible.

do you have any idea what those hoops might entail? what sort of steps should I take?

Send some pics of the broken device, issues, credit card needed, stuff like that. Since you have the card already, it shouldn't be too difficult.