>>Have you contacted Microchip or a distributor (ie Arrow) to see 
>>about exchanging A3 parts for A4 or higher revision parts?
>
> I originally bought them off an eBay auction.
> Moreover, to save space they are packed in a quite artigianal way 
> (some, truly few, may have bent pins).
>
> Q: Should I still contact Microchip? :P

I'd ask them, telling them whatever is relevant.
Dead junk is dead junk. Just because someone else discarded them 
doesn't mean Microchip are *necessarily* clear of their obligations OR 
of their inclination to see their customers happy. I'm sure they'll 
tell you if this isn't the case :-)


        RM 

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