jtracing1

I just bought an Ariens 7524 for $379 at Home Depot.  I think I got a good deal.  It was 50% off and they had two left.  It was brand new in a box that was razor  cut open and then sealed back up by Home Depot.  It had the white stick film on the impeller opening and on the handles ant it was unassembled so I know it wasn't a return.  However, on this gas tank issue, my blower (and the other 7524 they had for sale in an opened and resealed box) has a white paint marking on the fuel line hose at the tank outlet and then on the starter motor was the date 12/29/05 G.W.  Is this somehting Ariens does at the factory as a final inspeciton or could it be that the gas tank was replaced due to this problem and the white markings serve as proof with someones initials???  Thanks.