Boo, I'll bet it's more inefficiency than deliberate deceit. Musician's Friend is a very reputable company. I'm with Dave--I'll bet if you raise enough hell they'll take care of you. You will have to get through to a real person. Many internet responses are computer-generated.
Tell them you are a brick-layer and you will come and build them a custom-made firewall around their computer if they don't treat you right.
DonM