Just got my WD HDD. Bought it from a 3rd party seller on Newegg. Came in generic packaging with a July 31, 2013 date of manufacture. I assume it is new and genuine although the generic packaging is suspect. My main concern is date of manufacture. Should I accept this? I am worried about how the HDD could deteriorate sitting in a warehouse for 7 YEARS. Thx.is this date of manufacture on the drive itself, or just the packaging?

If the drive itself is from 2013 I would return it. Unless they disclosed that the products were new old STOCK then it was misleading to sell it as new, particularly when the drives are from 7 years ago.

It is unlikely the drive would have deteriorated just from not being USED though I would expect that some firmware bugs and design problems may have been present that WD resolved with further iterations and manufacturing runs.BC, thx for responding so fast. The date of manufacture is on the HDD nameplate.If it was made in 2013 it ain't new...Newegg authorized return and Token(3rd party seller) reluctantly agreed to waive restocking fee. Token said I got an unused OEM drive. Item description said it came with manufacturers WARRANTY but of course WD warranty expired a long time ago. Token said Newegg added standard boilerplate warranty info which does not apply to this item. Bought another HDD directly from WD. Will likely NEVER buy another HDD in my life; but, if I do, I will directly from manufacturer.