Consider yourself smart - I'm glad you noticed and are finding help! The other option is to return it to the store and demand your money back. That is weird.

One guy was needing to get his snake to the vet and having husbandry issues. He had bought mulch as substrate from the local home supply store (Home Depot, I think) and ended up with cockroaches in his tank!!!!
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...t=55006&page=3

So it could be worse!