OK... so tonight a different story. This time I went to the Hudson MA store.
"We don't have refurbs, but we have used ones for $29". They have a stack of like 8 or 9 little white cardboard boxes in the store. It's worth noting that the website said that they had none, and the Framingham store had 4+. Just the opposite was true.
I asked if I could see one and the guy says sure and cuts the box open. He then cuts open 2 more for me even though I was somewhat apologetic about making a hassle for him. He says he'll open them all if I want. He let me cherry pick the better controllers, cables, and power supply.
Couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful. Go figure.
-pmc