Why did my brand new part look used?
Some suppliers accidentally ship previously installed or returned components instead of brand new parts. This forces buyers to question authenticity and deal with the hassle of returning and refunding the order.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1returning or refunding the part
- 2inspecting the part for signs of prior use
- 3straightening bent fins with a small flathead or radiator rake
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Rebuild original vintage part or buy cheap reproduction?
- 3Mixed up original and replacement parts after disassembly
- 17How to know which replacement part code to buy
- 13How to handle international returns when a seller claims item was fine
- 11Why does what I ordered online look nothing like the pictures?
- 2Where to find non-standard replacement trim?