Every Mac sold ships the exact same way. Apple never does a special thing for one, or two, or any. They never use Apple IDs to do anything to the Macs.I wil ask at the shop what fixed it - some "patch" apparently Apple USA gave him.
And no - these two machine were still all wrapped and sealed fro Apple - brand new I think.
It is 100% absolutely clear, beyond any doubt, that some middle man tinkered with them. Somewhere between Apple and you they got opened, tinkered, re-sealed, and sold to you. This is not even a subject of debate.