The infinite wisdom is not mine; the insight into a purchasing response is, however, mine.....
Your thanks for the infinite wisdom should go to
The Court and Character of King James by Anthony Weldon, 1651:
"Fool me
once,
shame on you. Fool me
twice,
shame on me." Later additions included: "Fool me three times,
shame on both of us"
I think there's been enough threads on this particular company that have started, and turned into a crap show, and eventually gotten locked, and I'd prefer this thread not turn into one of those. But, here goes.....
That being said, yes, I agree, it is bologna that you - or anyone else - should have to try a 1/4-20 tap to clean up some threads on a brand new product to replace a bolt due to it's insufficient length.
However, this isn't the first time, and probably won't be the last, where this particular company has failed to deliver a quality product, with defects identified either immediately upon opening the package, or shortly after some field use. (Want some quick examples: the original predator platforms breaking, One stick glue attachments, One stick roll pins, One stick stacking pins, Skeletor orange stacking pins, Skeletor bolt length......I'm sure others could add more to this list.....)
So, using past product releases as a guide, either 'accept' that you will have to put up with the "bologna" that you "gotta do this sh!t" on their products - or let your money do the talking and don't buy from them.
Is it total nonsense? Yes, it is. Absolutely, 100%.
Why do they do it? Likely one of three reasons.
1 . They are not a top-notch company. They produce an inferior product, haphazardly thrown together, which is not thoroughly tested. This could be because of a poor product design to start with, material supply chain issues, or production-related problems. (Would you want to buy these types of products, anyhow? Likely not. So, don't buy from them.)
2. They hold an exceptionally high marketing value in being "first-to-market" with a first-mover competitive advantage. This approach is a well known marketing strategy that has proven results and benefits over the course of time. (The threads on this very forum are a prime example!)
3. A combination of #1 and #2 above.
As the almighty
@enkriss stated, some of us are
Just a little tired of paying to be product testers for these companies
"Fool me
once,
shame on you. Fool me
twice,
shame on me."
Again, it is an easy solution. Don't buy from them.