I bought (and returned) about 4 Whistler TRX-1's over the last 3 years. Before and after the new ownership.
From various sellers in the Netherlands that got them from Avera. Avera got them from Moonraker? All of them had Moonraker in the welcome screen while powering on.
The packaging all had the characteristic thrift store smell. And with all of them the front plastic came off while I tried to remove the protective film. The glue holding it was nearly decayed to powder/dust. All of them brand new. Still in the neatly folded and taped plastic bag over the box. Absolutely zero signs it has been ever opened before.
So I think you're right about they were sitting on a shelf for too long.