Just bought a copy of TOI that came in a factory sealed package. When I opened the box, the insert was damaged, and the pieces were in ziplock bags. The remaining pieces were unpunched and in brand new condition. It is possible that I purchased a refurbished game? The game was purchased through ebay through a seller who claims that the game is brand new. Any ideas and suggestions are welcome....

Thanks

My guess is, if you got it from someone on eBay, that someone (either the seller himself, or the prior owner) opened it previously, did the things you describe, and passed it on. It's not hard to re-shrink a box; all it takes is shrinkwrap and a heating element.

I'm guessing that it didn't come from FFG's distributers that way.

I'd have to agree. Sounds like a mock-up from your ebay seller or someone else with the means to re-shrink a game.