Vortex viper - hst how did this get past quality control - Vortex Viper HS-T 4-16x44mm 30mm Tube Second Focal Plane Rifle Scope

On 3/9/16 i purchased the vortex viper hst. on 3/16 the scope was delivered. On 3/18 I went to mount the scope and found that it had a critical defect - the variable ring was loose and and it would not engage to track correctly going up or down in magnification. I thought a new $500 + scope should be flawless out of the box (the box was not sealed in plastic like a Leopold - so who knows if this scope was a prior return or whatever - but in my book new means sealed). I contacted optics planet for the return as if this brand does this out of the box, what happens after use? I shipped it back to optics planet that day and they acknowledged receipt on 3/23 along with a statement that the item had to be evaluated before a return was processed. I phoned them a few times to find out the status and could not get a well defined target date for a finalization but was told "they would evaluate it per there return policy". Well it took until 4/7 for my Paypal credit to show the refund. So I had planed to use the scope on a hunt - that did not pan out and I did not see my money back until 3 days prior to one full month since I paid my hard earned money for a scope that somehow made it through the channels unchecked, at both companies. I understand vortex preaches on customer service, but i really do not want to experience that for a scope out of the box that was defective. Rethought what happened and realized the old saying - buy once cry once - I got a leupold vx-6. As far as Optics Planet i have done many transactions through them and have generally positive feelings toward their customer service, pricing, selection and have even returned items with quick turnaround. I realize that can not control each product that goes out but I believe they need to process the big ticket items (their words on over $500 items) that are claimed to have problems in a much more timely and efficient manner with a lot more communication. in closing the Leopold came in a plastic sealed box and worked 1000% out of the box.