At 700 you should have bought one. You would have more than doubled your money, if that is the way you want to look at it. You're right, somebody knows the real story and I may never hear it. I've also heard it is from re-staking at the factory, not replacement. Sometimes they aren't seated properly and they give them another whack. It doesn't matter as long as it works.
For me, the better half put a number on how many I can own. I just wanted something different / a little more unique, for my last purchase. Really I swear LOL