First pipe (Peterson) and I think it's a lemon. Help!

I'll defer to others who are far more experienced, but to my eye (old) there is nothing that I would be concerned with. The mal-alignment of the wording to me is nothing...scratches? you'll do worse in the first week. Rust in the mortise?..probably not rust and if it...wipe it out. Life is too short to let lil stuff like this wear on you. Fine looking pipe...many Petersons have bigger problems that you are blessed not to have had.

Those are fairly minor flaws/issues for an estate pipe or maybe a $100 pipe. But for a new $200 pipe you should be getting something fine and nearly flawless. I know some would consider that a mid-range amount to spend on a pipe, for me it's high-end. If I'm going to treat myself, I want it to be as near-perfect as it can be. If that is indeed rust, that's no good.

SP's customer service is stellar, so I'm sure they'll refund or replace. They also just bought Peterson, and I'm sure they want to make a good start to that association.

No way would I keep that pipe. For many $200.00 is a sacrifice and expect much better than you received. Contact SP, send them your photos, and tell them that pile is unacceptable. I feel they will do what’s necessary to satisfy you.

AJ

I received this:

"Devin, I am sorry for the inconvenience, but I have spoken with my manager about your request to receive 50% off on this pipe and unfortunately, we are not going to be able to offer you 50% off on this pipe. You are more than welcome to send the order back and I will send you a return label for the contents in that order. Please let me know so I can get the return label sent out to you right away?"

I'm returning my entire order, tobacco and all. I spent a couple days searching for the perfect pipe and I'm not going through that again.

By the way, DON'T BUY THE PETERSON SPIGOT WALNUT 120FT from smokingpipes.com. If you do, you're getting this one I'm returning.

Actually they did open the box! When I received the shipment a small part of the internal bubblewrap on the Peterson box was hanging out. So they looked at it and said "this is fine". 

Buy a Savinelli. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Stick with pipe smoking. Many hours of pleasure await!

AJ

Just return the pipe and find another to your liking👌👍

This is exactly what I recently discussed on new Peterson pipes, the lack of quality control...it’s non-existent! Nothing like an old Pete in my books!!

They have to open every box.  They photograph them. 
Good luck finding what you want.

I've smoked two new-ish Petersons already today, neither one with any major problems.

That is a hefty price tag for someone brand new to pipe smoking though. I've been a pipe smoker for 15 years, at least, and just about 5 years ago I started to smoke higher end pipes. I am buying myself a Dunhill root briar, finally, after 15 years. But I worked myself up to knowing I enjoy pipe smoking thoroughly, to make such a hefty investment.

I'd start out with cobs, and then work your way up to Grabow and maybe Briar Works. I used to recommend Mr Brog's pipes but I've had some MAJOR qc problems with them lately. I really WANTED to like their pipes, too, but I had one in particular that literally _fell apart_ on me, so Grabow is definitely more bang for your buck. I have a few Grabow pipes that I still regularly smoke, they're good smokers.

They don't. If you compare mine to what they "photographed" they are different pipes. Here's the link to the page: www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/peterson/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=267475

If you send the Pete back and want a replacement, call Smokingpipes and ask to speak with Chip. He will personally check out the new replacement before shipping back to you....don’t give up right away. Smokingpipes can get credit on the pipe, that’s why they can’t afford to give you a 50% discount. Plus on a new pipe for $200.00....especially a factory produced pipe I’d want it perfect. They are known for excellent customer service....call today and a new perfect Pete will be replaced once they’ve received your defective Pete. It happens, but they will rectify the situation properly....GOOD LUCK and don’t give up👍👍

Smokingpipes.com IMHO are the best out there and will work with you at any chance to make you happy.
Although your pipe to me hardly looks as bad as you suggest except for the tiny scratches, that could most likely be buffed out in a minute.
I do understand it's not what you ordered and I certainly wouldn't let a pipe with scratches out of my shop but, these are mass made pipes and little flaws like the logo not lining up(?)are to be expected from time to time when manufactured hundreds or more at a time.
If one wants perfection I suggest looking into other makers but, even then it's a hard animal to track down.

Does anyone recommend online shops (US based) besides smokingpipes.com? I'm giving this one more shot by looking at a Savinelli Spigot that looks like my Peterson, but I can't find many around based on the searches I've done so far.

I've used tobaccopipes.com for one of my pipes. Service was fast. I didn't have any trouble with them, so I don't personally know anything about their customer service.

I've used others, but smokingpipes is my #1 choice for pipes and tobacco.

I've had issues with a different place, and they were not resolved at all and now I don't use them. I won't mention names, in negative ways, here in public.

If you would say which site you were ordering from, you would probably get better feedback here.