Brand New Iphone 5s Home Screen display defect

Here goes my ordeal with my Iphone 5s upgrade

After waiting in line for over an hour I purchased the Iphone 5s yesterday at Best Buy (Stonebriar, Frisco, TX). Later that evening, I noticed that when the time was 5:36, the home screen display was not showing the digit 6. Instead it showed a blur. I then changed the time manually to 6:36 and then to 6:43 and each time there was a digit 6 the display showed a blur instead. I must note that the phone was sitting in the grass which was a little moist (which I believe was the causing the issue). I immediately went back to the Best Buy location where I purchased the phone and requested a replacement after showing the defect. The store manager wanted me to wait in the line and I refused to do so (they sold me a defective phone so I did not see a reason why I had to go in that line all over again when it was just a replacement!). Anyways, after a tiff with the manager I left that store with my defective phone.

Next day, I went to the Apple store (Willowbend mall, Plano). I was greeted by genteleman at the entrance of the store who nicely asked if he could help. The moment I told him I suspected my new Iphone 5s was defective he said 'What!!' and made an expression of disbilief. Funny! I was asked to go to another peson who was standing and waving his hand further inside the store. I go to him and explain to him the problem and when I try to demonstrate it does not happen! Oh dear! Luckily I had enough screenshots in store and I showed them all to the store clerk. He then tells me that he can take the phone in for me and get it 'repaired'! In disbilief I ask him if he meant 'Replaced'? He says no, they will try to repair it first - he further speculates saying they will try a restore or maybe a front glass replacement and that if they still can't fix it, Apple will then replace the phone. In exasperation I tried to explain to him that the problem happened yesterday and then today it can't doesn't seem to happen, while adding that it is a brand NEW phone I purchased less than 24 hours ago and that I still am under the 14 day time-frame. I explain to him kindly that I would not be able to verify the fix (Apple does a restore or even changes the glass and returns me the phone and I must believe that the problem was fixed?? - Hel No!) and its not so nice to hear from Apple that they can't take responsibility for a defective product. He kindly says sorry and explains that it is policy and that they have to try to repair first. Oh how I wish I could've gotten Apple to sign my policy document for my money...sigh..don't work like that! So I left Apple and ran across to Best Buy mobile store asking for a replacement. The guy says Best Buy mother store and Best Buy Mobile store keep there own stock during holidays and he can't help. Sweet! I drive down 10 miles and go to a different Best Buy 'Mother' store and of course I'm asked to stand in the line. I swallow my pride and become a part of the line. My turn comes and again I explain the problem and of course the Best Buy clerk says 'Did you try a restore?' What!! Anyways, after a bit of reasoning (cribbing) with a couple of Best Buy agents, I was able to get them to replace my Iphone 5s (and of course they didn't have a gold color so I had to settle for the space gray..not a big deal though as long as this one is not defective also!)

So anybody had this display issue? Issue with Apple customer service?

Rs,

GH