Barnes and Noble is probably just buying from a distributor. They aren’t the ones repackaging these records. In some ways, they are just as much a victim as you were.
Vinyl from Barnes & Noble
Last week I used a Christmas gift card to purchase an LP there. 180 gm , pressed at RTI, new 25th anniversary remaster.... The album was wrapped in a baggy crinkly plastic. Inside that was the typical vinyl sleeve, which was not sealed. When I took the LP out I was amazed.... Filthy, covered in fingerprints with 2 very prominent scratches covering one entire side.. This was obviously not virgin vinyl. B & N of course returned it. The associate told me " you wouldn't believe how often this happens ." ???!!! I asked if it was company policy to repackage used items and sell them as new. He didn't answer that, instead merely insisting that this is a common occurrence. WTF! Any one care to comment/ have similar experience?