Yes, it was a new unit repackaged out of its original HP box. I looked at pictures on eBay and noticed the two black thingys were attached in front, with the wire on top. I duplicated the picture by inserting the two black thingies with the wire on top. They fit into the stapler and when the stapler unit was inserted into the printer, no more jams. Problem solved.
Sometimes some things are so obvious, sometimes some things are not so obvious.
thank you