I'm considering buying a Chinese loop, but after reading all this, might just take the slap in the face from Apple & give them $150 instead
It's a good decision. I have never seen aftermarket stuff fit as well as OEM stuff, despite what all the glowing reviews online say. Holds true for a bunch of car parts I have ordered wherein people online raved about fit and quality. Sure enough, as soon as I bought it, it didn't fit at all.
Not saying all aftermarket stuff is bad. But just don't take what everyone says as truth. Some people are just not as meticulous, and perfectly fine with gaps, dull finishes, etc.