RE: Question on location
I own a LHS. The Horizon tech was hoping that the LHS had the plane in stock. That's is why he told you to go back. Since he had to order it I would have waited until Horizon sent you a receiver. I have done this many times. One call to tech from me to get the OK and you walk out with a new plane. They send me one to replace yours.
As far as the box goes who cares. Had I had the plane here. I give you the plane and put the bad plane in the box. No biggy. Some times they don't even want it back. If they do they send me a call tag.
All a LHS has to offer is service and I'm sorry your's was poor. Dennis