Review on 👕 Rowenta DR8120 X-Cel Powerful Handheld Garment Steamer with Stainless Steel Heated Soleplate, 2 Steam Options, 1600-Watts, White by Julio Diaz

I bought the product more than a year ago, new but haven't had time to use it because I bought it for travel and then for Covid. Recently I had to use it urgently, so I read the instructions (simple), poured water and plugged it in. I couldn't get it to work. Lost half an hour in a hurry. Decided to contact the company later in the day but their phones are down due to Covid. Couldn't figure out how Covid affects phone response. Message sent, still no reply. After reading tips on what to do when the steamer isn't working, I decided to see if cleaning with vinegar would help. Mind you I've never used it so why would I clean it. Surprisingly, it started working. Unfortunately, after several passes of vinegar and water (alternating), it still spews rust. Ruined two outfits in the process. How can a new unused item be rusty and how can I not clean it? I paid for a new item, but was it new? What happened?