haha well its my first time dealing with parts like suspension. I’m putting it on myself this saturday with no prior experience plus the help of friends…who also have not dealt with suspension install either. I’ll make sure to take pics. 
and my dad made me paranoid too, he called me and from his description i thought there was a lot of dirt, like packed mud or something on the strut…that little dirt i saw on the bump stop was actually the only “dirty” part so i was relieved. when i saw the pictures he sent they were a lot cleaner than i was anticipating from his description. SO i think they’re okay. by the way my dads been a real skeptic when it comes to ebay, aftermarket parts, and just things in general. He didnt even want me to lower my car initially and i bought this kit on my own accord. He was dead set on oem (even though he made me research all about it…in the end he didnt budge)
I called and he said they dont open the packages, they get them straight from tokico. Even though i said it probably was a return to them he just went on to say they dont open packages.
it must have been a return that had been opened before, but never installed and rode on, cause who the hell would write “refused- didnt want” or whatever on it. He then said that if i had any problems with them to call him back and he’ll send out some new ones.