Your story is frustrating, admittedly, but it's very little to do with the Reader and more to do with Sony! Imagine that your purchase had gone okay and you'd not had the white line.
Quite possible you would have had a different experience.
I understand how you feel, though. All those things add up to a general dislike of the product. All of it is part of the experience and it's a shame you've had to go through that.
Surely, I hope you will get a good one and can report back.