The T-Mobile unlock lie

7 business days have passed and my device is still - locked.

Another round with support. This time they said that it didn't work because the phone I try to unlock is not associated with my phone number. This is true because I had to buy (!) a new phone (unlocked this time, I learn) for this very (unlocking nightmare) reason. I need to use a second SIM card together with my T-Mobile eSIM while abroad. T-Mobile switched my phone number back and said I had to wait another 14 days. Now I have to carry around two devices. My understanding of  "dual SIM" is something else.

I'm almost certain that 14 days from now, they will tell me that the phone was not active (because I'm abroad) and that's why they can't unlock it. Anyone up for a bet?
The bottom line is that their eligibility criteria for prepaid accounts is just a plain lie. I fulfill all the criteria (not disputed by any of the T-Mobile people I spoke to). But each time they come up with another (technical) excuse for why it can't be done and ask me to wait for another X days. It's going on like this for almost five months now. This is all very frustrating and a big waste of time and money.