I have it because 1. These are expensive devices and 2. Much cheaper to get it repaired or replaced if it’s stolen.

This has been a thing for years and is done on device no internet required and is a pretty neat and useful feature. Nothing creepy about it.

2-3 years at least.

Sorry to hear you’ve had a bad experience. Have made several purchases from gazelle and a few trade ins, never had an issue.

Sounds like bad luck on your end. But in general with the volume apple ships products at defective units are bound to pop up here and there.

I get two solid days with mine on the latest WatchOS.