i've tried to explain this in the past, but here's the deal again:
-buy a 1000 from an online retailer with a 30 return policy
-switch the pads when you get it
-return it for a refund, tell them you're thinking about buying the 2500. the person taking the return wont even ask questions; they'll be scheming on the commission for the more expensive unit.
no matter what happens after that, akai will end up with those broken pads, eventually. the employee inspecting returns for the dealer is not about to open the thing up and check the pads. they likely dont even know there's a massive design flaw, they just match the serial number and put it back into stock. even if someone else buys it, they'll be covered under warranty, and it'll go right back to akai. and if, for some bizarre reason, you're concerned about screwing akai, all they'll do is put the "upgraded" pads into the machine and reseal it, they're probably not even losing money on the deal. finally, even if by some strange turn of events your specific return arouses suspicion, simply inform the retailer that you're confused, because akai's official stance is that ALL mpc 1000's ship with the same "retro" pads, and that the "new" pads are only available as an upgrade. you are an honest, loyal customer, you have no idea what this fuss over pads is all about, you are insulted that they would even suggest such a thing and unless they can prove that whatever they're claiming happened was a result of your actions instead of the half-dozen other people who had access to the package, (warehouse staff, shipping company personnel, etc.) you must insist that you receive a full refund as per their stated return policy.
trust me.
Welp there goes the thought of selling my 1k. Might as well keep it since it has the "rare" mpc1k pad system installed that you can only get when you buy a new 1k. hahaha