[mothered]

however a store would probably have cctv and be able to prove that the item was in the box when you purchased it.

The camera will contain footage of the "box", not It's contents.

This Is a typical "wrong Item received" method. Whether the box/package Is sealed or otherwise, Is Immaterial. As I've mentioned countless times, simply replace It with a significantly cheaper Item that they stock (Inventory) and on request, return that.