Thanks to all of you for your opinions and postings on this topic. As always, I appreciate every one of you, and I greatly value your opinions.
The general consensus here clearly appears to be in favor of the merchant(s), and like I said from the outset, I'm all to aware of the raging skeptic that resides in me, so I have no problem with that whatsoever. In fact, if anything, its reassuring for me to know that others have experienced the very same circumstances, and that most had no issues accepting those circumstances.
In addition, as others here have duly noted, if I were to return it, in all likelihood, any and all other units the merchant might ship to me as a replacement, would also have been opened for the very same reasons. Hence, I'm simply chasing my own tail. Nothin' new there!
And so, we'll go ahead and keep this opened Helix Rack here, and begin the learning process with it. From everything I've read and learned, it sounds like a great piece of gear, so it should be good fun.
Cheers! And thanks again! ;-)