From what I've heard, usually Brewer's Best kits are pretty decent for starter kits.
Sounds like yours might be a little old. Probably just the store you got it from.
Give it a whirl anyways, and order a fresh kit from one of the fine BN sponsors.
Read up the
"how to brew your first extract kit" chapter on
http://www.howtobrew.com, then come back here and ask us all the questions you have before you start. Somebody will answer them quickly and accurately for you here.
HTH-