Used guitar picks found in a new guitar (case)?

[bnzboy]

Hello, I recently purchased a "new old stock" guitar (according to the shop owner). The serial number indicated that it was manufactured in April 2021. The guitar looked like a brand new model but I found some used guitar picks from the guitar case (within a zipper pocket), some of them appeared to be heavily used by someone else. This guitar was supposed to be a brand new guitar that UPS just dropped off an hour before I purchased it from the shop. Does this seem suspicious to you? There was no way someone was able to put these picks between the arrival and when I purchased it. I've already emailed the manufacturer as well as the shop owner about this finding. Am I being scammed here? The shop did give me a bit of discount (approx 10% off from the listed price) which makes it even more concerned about the whole transaction.

Edit. It is a Strandberg model and according to the shop owner it gets inspected/setup by a luthier in Montreal before it gets sent out? It this true? Still, seeing used picks in a case sounds a bit silly. I had no idea this was a thing for Canadian distributors.

 

[NoodleFace]

If the guitar looks brand new I wouldn't worry about it

 

[CanserDYI]

Yep you are 100% being scammed. That guitar is firewood now and the store ran off with your money.

 

[Dumple Stilzkin]

Yep you are 100% being scammed. That guitar is firewood now and the store ran off with your money.

Oldest scam there is, make sure there is no sign of forced entry in the input jack.

 

[Thesius]

One time I bought a guitar and found a Jazz III in the case. Was just as happy finding it as I was getting the guitar

 

[mastapimp]

Lots of shops swap cases around. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[odibrom]

Probably, the guy who inspected the guitar before shipping thought to throw in a bag of picks as gift and didn't realize it was his own picks... or forgot the bag inside the case after the inspection and is now wondering if his picks ended up in the washing machine...

 

[Emperoff]

Before doing anything in a rush, check if those picks were featured in a JHS video. You could be sitting on hundreds without knowing!

 

[cindarkness]

I'm sorry to break it to you, but it's not a new guitar anymore if it was set up by a luthier in Montreal. He probably played a minute or two with it, which makes you the second owner.

 

[STRHelvete]

Yep you are 100% being scammed. That guitar is firewood now and the store ran off with your money.

Exactly. Rip your shirt off, get shitfaced drunk, and storm down to the shop and challenge the manager to a fist fight in the parking lot.

 

[bnzboy]

Thanks guys for some hilarious answers haha

 

[Darkscience]

What was the outcome? Are they sending you another one without picks?

 

[Webmaestro]

I (personally) wouldn't worry about it if the guitar otherwise seems to be in perfect condition. In fact, congrats on using that to get an extra 10% off!

 

[RevDrucifer]

Those aren’t picks, it’s Standberg‘s new ergonomic pizza. Put ‘em in the microwave like on Back To The Future II and enjoy!