I picked up a wave 3 for my van. Should I send this back?

[East]

Is this heater worth keeping? I'm not sure if it's functioning right, looks like I may have been burned by Amazon.

The element looks to be bent and the photo I've included shows what it looks like after 10 minutes on high, to "evenly heat the element".

The box was taped indicating the product had been used, also marring on the mounting points seem to be evident.

I am okay with it if it's used lightly (though still upset), but if this bend in the element is going to cut efficiency in half I will send it back immediately. If anyone here knows please let me know if this is remotely normal, again the picture is after the element was heated 10 minutes on high.

Here it looks like the element has been lit in the past, before use:

Here is the marring on mount points on the back:

Here is the element after 10 full minutes on high.

Here is the slight bend in the element as described earlier.

I'm a little OCD, but when spending 200+ on something I kind of expect things to be decent. Do you think the bend is abnormal? With the way the element is lighting, is that abnormal?

 

[ccbreder]

Bent & scratched means used. Send it back if you paid full retail. Amazon WareHouseDeals sells used for $172.

 

[East]

Bent & scratched means used. Send it back if you paid full retail. Amazon WareHouseDeals sells used for $172.

Thanks, was just looking for additional opinions, appreciate it. Requested a replacement, dropping this one off at the UPS store tomorrow morning. I've done a lot of business with Amazon and have never really had this happen when ordering through anything fulfilled directly by Amazon. Honestly I'm kind of surprised.

 

[rvpopeye]

The catalyst fabric looks pushed in and the burn pattern should be more even across the surface.
You def should send it back. Get a fresh one.
Replacing the fabric costs almost as much as a new unit....

 

[Ballenxj]

Looks like somebody before you bought this heater, abused it, then sent it back where it ended up on the shelf to be sold as new again.
Definitely send it back with a note describing this. Tell them if they cannot send you a new one, you want a full refund.

 

[East]

Replacement was actually new, glad that's sorted.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Ballenxj]

Replacement was actually new, glad that's sorted.

Glad to hear they took care of the problem.  

 

[rvpopeye]

And quick too !

 

[ZoNiE]

Someone probably swapped out a bad one in the box and returned it as new. Sucks. Glad you got a replacement.