I work at a B&N store and none of ours have come in damaged. It all depends on the store and how they maintain them when they arrive. It sounds like the stores you visited are not treating the devices well when they are delivered and then wondering why they're damaged. We take ours from the delivery guy and immediately carry them to where they are stored. They only leave that location when they need to be stocked at the nook counter.
Also, they should NEVER be sold without their wrapping. They arrive individually sealed and untouched. They have a plastic folded cover over the unit. No hands should have touched it before the owner. It's best that you DIDN'T chance it. They were probably returned damaged from poor stocking by the employees!!
Order from BN.com or visit a store. We ship them well.
