That "tackle box" detail got me because a buddy of mine had a screen swapped by a guy working out of his trunk for like $20 and it lasted him two years. Your mileage may vary of course, but I've seen the cheap fix surprise people more than once. Still wouldn't risk it on a brand new phone though.

renegotiate at the door" yeah a friend had a guy knock $20 off while already loading it in his truck

Honestly tho, who keeps a receipt for hiking boots? I've got boots I bought like 4 years ago and the paper is long gone. REI can look up your purchase in 2 seconds if you used your member number, and their return policy is already one of the most lenient out there. Plenty of stores make you show the receipt AND the card AND the box, so acting like this is some big betrayal is a stretch. Keeping every receipt for gear you own for years just isn't how people live.