Replacements coming as refurbs yet? [4-25-09 - Some Refurbs]

I haven't seen a lot about this recently, so I figure I can ask if anyone out there has received a replacement TP any time recently, and if it was a refurb or a brand new one.

Recently, I seem to have managed to screw up the data capability on my phone, and what I -think- was a mistake on the rep's part, my MSL does not match what Sprint says I should have any more. I think he was just reading a digit wrong (because I used BAF MSL grabber later and it was all the same except one digit).

Anyway, he said he needed to send me a new phone and one would be on the way immediately, shipped UPS overnight standard (!!!). It was sent today (Friday) so I should see it Monday. He asked if my battery was still ok, and told me I'd need to re-use my phone's back cover and battery on the replacement.

I'm also getting charged, and I quote "$35 to $55 for the shipping and handling because you do not have TEP." I asked him if he could get that number nailed down and he wasn't sure.

All of this has been a little on the confusing side, and while I would like a brand new TP again, this will be my forth one, the other ones have gone back for hardware defects (aka hardware keyboard failing, earpiece not working, etc). Additionally, I don't have TEP (but you can bet I'm adding it to the new one and dropping Worst Buy's insurance FINALLY) so I'm taking whatever I can get.

Anyway, long, pointless story. I just mean to ask, are people still getting nothing but brand new TP's from Sprint?

Edit: As I posted later in the thread, it's March 9th, and I just received a brand new TP, in the box, no refurb date. It's manufacture date is Feb 22nd. So they're still giving out new ones.

Edit 2: Latest replacements still coming as brand new phones