AT ART-9 vs Audio Note IQ3

I opened the box and unfortunately the cartridge was no longer attached to the headshell mount and was rolling around inside the plastic case. The cantilever cover was still in place and the cantilever is straight, but doesn’t it seem like not a great idea to keep a cartridge that was rattling around for 4000 miles? The sharp edges of the cartridge body put hundreds of tiny nicks all over the inside of the case.

That bites. What to do?

If there's no cosmetic damage, install and play it. If it sounds good, then nothing to worry about.

If it was an ebay purchase, you are well protected for damage. I’d plug ’n play. If it doesn’t work right, return it. If it does work right, photo the inside of the box to document the problem and contact the seller with a request for a token discount for the visible wear and tear.

The same thing happened to mine when ordered from LP Gear in NV. 

Must be poor QC in the AT factory when mounting the cartridge within the case.  I notified LP Gear who instructed me to try the cartridge which I did without any issues.