Thanx for the suggestion... followed through with the TWRP and Entitlement apk and I am very happy with the install.
On a new note, I received one unlock code from the middle Chinese source previously mentioned in early August 2014 with no trouble...
I tried the process again on 8/25/2014 for another XT1080M and I never received an unlock code nor any responses from the provider after many attempts to contact through every means possible (paypal acount, gmail account, skype, etc.). I filed a claim and had Paypal refund my money for the second attempt.
Any other similar stories out there?
Is the middle man still working?
The first phone was assembled in 2014 and the second was late 2013... perhaps that is the issue.