I bought 3 pairs of NOS strut's-(2 Motorcraft & 1 Ford) & 4 pairs of shocks (2 Ford &2 Motorcraft if I remember correctly)back in 2000-2001 I think.
I'd have to look at reciept. I know it was $2,200.00 . I had 2 XR-7's & 2 S/C's at the time. I needed a pair of each for a Cougar & once I found out at local dealer that was all that was showing in North America, I told him to get them all. I needed some right then & figured the other cars would at some point. I think the Motorcraft one's came with all the bushings/hardware & the Ford ones's didn't. Might have been the other way around.
I dont know what there shelf life was meant to be? I still have a pair of each, but last time I looked 2-3 years ago, they were starting to"sweat" near the seal surfaces. Maybe the gas has leaked off? I store the standing up or on their ends.