Watch Band Return

I used the “Create Your Style” option in the online Apple Store to select the stainless steel 44mm Series 5 and the large Leather Loop band, and the Nike band. After waiting 2 weeks for the products to arrive directly from China, they arrived in individual product boxes. I discovered that the Large Leather Loop is too big; I need the Medium.

When I called Apple to see how I could swap the Large Loop for the Medium Loop, they advised that I must return both the watch head and Leather Loop together. I couldn’t just return the Large Loop in its original box to swap for the Medium. That seems crazy.

I called the closest Apple store to me (2 hours away), and after hearing my story, they said they could do the swap. When I showed up, they said they didn’t have the band and I’d have to do the exchange via the online store.

If I have to ship the whole watch back just to get the band swapped, I guess I will, but doing so makes no sense and is inconvenient since I’m already using the watch as my daily.

Is anyone from Apple Customer Service out here who can authorize a simple swap of a new in box Large Leather Loop for the Medium?

thanks in advance.