I’ve seen him use a style of deep metal box that has no nails at all. He runs a Klein step drill into 2 holes in the side to accommodate the sheet metal screws. The wall opening is cut flush with the stud, NM conductor or BX / wires fished and pulled into and secured in the box, the box pushed into the wall. I think that he uses the point of an awl at an angle to start the screw hole, then just works the first hex-head screw in untill it pulls the box up tight to the stud - and then repeats the process with the second screw. He then completes the wiring.

Does he just take a new work box and cut off the nail and holes, or what?

I’ve never tried it at Sears, but I swear by buying stuff online at Circuit City and Best Buy and picking it up at the store. If you’re doing the research online you might as well make the transaction too (the deals are usually better anyway). That way you can just walk into the store with the receipt and pick it up. That way you avoid dangerous activities like shopping.

I’ve had luck with some stores giving me the deal anyway if I can show it to them. Other stores like Best Buy refuse to honor prices on the web, even when you argue that you’re going to go buy it online and come back and pick it up.