What would you consider a 'New' laser tube?

I purchased a laser form Rabbit Laser in February of this year. It has less than 1000hrs on it and the 80w RECI tube died (2 weeks past their tube warranty). The MFG date on the tube says it was made on November 29th 2012. I'm reading that to mean it was not put into the laser for 15 months after manufacture. I've read that tubes do not really have a shelf life. I'm sitting here with a dead laser with less than 1000hrs on it and I can't help but think a 2yr old tube might have something to do with it. Thoughts?

Such an old tube. The seller should take responsiblity.

customers really need to check the tube manufacture date when they received the new machine/tube,
usually the tube will leak and power become less after one year on shelf.