Anyone who has picked up a motorguide trolling motor, when you received it, did the box have 'old' staple holes, like at one point it had larger metal staples holding it closed?  I received my 36" Xi3 saltwater kayak trolling motor today and noticed that while the box appears in pristine condition particularly for coming through FedEx, every staple position has holes like there was originally a larger than current metal staple.  I'm curious if this box was previously opened or if that's how they come from the factory/bass pro (internal quality checks or something). Every staple position is like the attached picture, but none of the box is torn, so it appears to have been done carefully.

I don’t know motor guide but I know packaging. That’s been stapled before and the staple removed. Can’t tell why of course. Could have been a qc check after packing the motor. Could have been repacked at the factory. Either way though, a bass pro and fedex wouldn’t have those staples to duplicate the factory. They would have just used tape if they opened it. And bass pro would have called it an open box special and put it in the bargain bin. I wouldn’t be too worried as long as everything was in the box that was supposed to be. 

I wouldn't worry about it.  It could have come on a large pallet, and the staples where somehow used in securing the pallet.  Or any number of things.  So long as it works, I'd call it good.  

Thanks guys.  I am officially not worried about it.  Opened it up today and everything appears factory new, internal packaging all sealed up, and all is in good shape.  Now to get my truck back from the body shop (they've had it for over 2 months now) on Friday and go pick up the kayak this weekend.  Then I can dive into wiring this up and testing it out. I'll have to sort out registration too I suppose.  Good winter projects.

The holes outside of the staples are the staple installer holes.

The staple gun was out of staples and then stapled again is my guess. It’s nearly impossible to remove a heavy staple without damaging the cardboard.

Tom

On 1/16/2023 at 9:36 PM, immortl said:

Anyone who has picked up a motorguide trolling motor, when you received it, did the box have 'old' staple holes, like at one point it had larger metal staples holding it closed?  I received my 36" Xi3 saltwater kayak trolling motor today and noticed that while the box appears in pristine condition particularly for coming through FedEx, every staple position has holes like there was originally a larger than current metal staple.  I'm curious if this box was previously opened or if that's how they come from the factory/bass pro (internal quality checks or something). Every staple position is like the attached picture, but none of the box is torn, so it appears to have been done carefully.

 

There are carton staplers that leave marks like this.