One time I had a similar experience with a site called plantlightinghydroponics with a Sunlight Supply lamp I bought through them that blew a capacitor.

Upon closer examination of the lamp I noticed that the seals had been broken, the screws were marred, and the removable panel was somewhat dented up. I knew I hadn't opened it up but it sure as hell looked like someone else did. I was concerned they weren't going to give me a warranty replacement. The reply I got from the Sunlight Supply people was:

"The Sun System 2 in question is an import product. We randomly pull a few from the masses to perform an in-house quality control. The protective film on the reflector is removed, the tamper-seals are broken, the unit is opened for visual inspection and then it is test-fired. It would appear that you received one of these units. Once the unit has passed this inspection, the tamper seals are replaced, the unit is repackaged and put on the shelf. My guess would be that the tamper seals were not replaced prior to repackaging; a mere oversight. The unit is new and the warranty will be honored. Please coordinate a warranty repair with **** ******."

Instead of replacing the unit they sent me out a new capacitor. No big deal for me, I had other HPS lamps for back up and I don't have a problem doing minor electrical repairs myself. Works good as new now. I just replace the bulbs after just about every second grow.

Considering the condition of that lamp though they must be using apes to perform their "in-house quality control". Thing is, it also originally came to me shipped with a special grow bulb that didn't come standard. And THAT bulb was dead from the git go. I'm thinkin I was actually sent a returned item in the first place.

Crazy sh!t, huh bro?