I purchased a brand new iPhone 16 Pro Max and signed a two year contract. Before handing me the sealed box, the sales associate informed me that it was store policy to open the box and check if the phone was working. I hesitated, saying I am sure it is fine, but they insisted.
Without waiting for my agreement, they broke the seal, removed the protective screen, turned on the phone, and left fingerprints smudged all over the pristine display. The excitement I had for unboxing my new phone was gone in an instant. It no longer felt like a brand new device. It felt used.
It was as if I had just bought a new car, only for the salesperson to insist on taking it for a spin to make sure it works. This policy robbed me of the joy of opening a new product myself, and I left the store deeply disappointed.
