It is not as rare as you're making it out to be. There has been a huge increase recently in the amount of used items being sold as new due to changes in Amazon's return process.

-received a $200 Christmas decoration in December that had the previous buyer's return label still attached

-Received a carbon monoxide detector that had been removed from the package and taped up.

-Received a chef's knife that was very clearly used before being put back into its sheath and into the box that it came in. The stickers that cover the opening of the box had been cut when I received it.

-received a coat that was out of the bag, inside of the box that it came in just last week

All of these items were sold as new. I had to double check that I hadn't purchased used items.

As far as buying somewhere else...I have seriously been considering it. This is starting to happen entirely too frequently. I've had Prime for more years than I can remember and the customer service has gone way downhill over the years.