In the old days when indoor growing was getting going, say around 2000, seeds were never chilled, but they seemed to last much longer. Sellers often kept them in a dry box under the counter. They weren't fridged, and use by dates weren't even considered. In my experience, since seeds were fridged they only last a few weeks or months out of the fridge. With that, I think it's best to use fridged seeds quickly. Since seed sellers started using chillers to store seeds, there has been a disparity in seed storage. When your seeds arrived, did you continue to store them at the appropriate chilled temperature? Many people now make this mistake. The ideal temperature for storing cannabis seeds is between 6–8℃. Probably in an airtight container. However, this doesn't mean fridging is a perfect science. In fact, the way seeds are transported etc is not scientific. Fridging seeds may in general be damaging seeds, from condensed moisture to temperature changes which might simulate wintering. But with all the opinion to fridge seeds, there doesn't seem to be much of a way back. Just use them soon after you buy them. There will always be plenty more, so just use them quickly, and buy again when your ready.
Seeds keep best and longest in the freezer, providing they have been dried properly first. next best is the fridge.
https://www.researchgate.net/public...evity_of_two_genotypes_of_Linum_usitatissimum