Should I Return My Newly Purchased Peterson Spigot?

[gentlytamped]

So I just purchased a new Peterson Champagne Silver Spigot, shape 999.

I noticed that the mouthpiece "is a bit off". It's like it's leaning to one side.

Not sure if this is a poor quality model that I got from the online seller or this is actually a common thing.
Do you guys have any spigots and if so, did you encounter anything similar?

Maybe I just worry too much...
Here's a picture:

Edited by jvnshr: Title capitalization (please check Rule #9)

 

[leacha]

It depends....
On your happiness with it.

 

[mikethompson]

That stem does look off. Did you buy it through a dealer that accepts returns?
In before the "Peterson is junk now' brigade

 

[prndl]

I have owned two bent Petes in my time, a 68 silver spigot and a system 312. Both pipes had stems with a slight twist to them, tho not quite as noticeable as yours.
I kept mine for a few years but, wouldn't hesitate to send one back if it didn't appeal to me.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Since you posted and made a video, it clearly is on your mind. I'd return it if I were feeling that way, but a perfect stem won't make it smoke any better.

 

[menuhin]

I have two Peterson Spigots, one with filter and one without. I have to take a closer look at them.

However, I have never used my eye to check the straightness of guitar fingerboard to check the mouthpiece of a pipe, especially when the junction is not designed to be flushed and inline.
I still remember the first time I came across anything Peterson was at J.T. Peretti, when I asked for a straighter stem on a J.T. Peretti pipe. The tobacconist just casually lit up an alcohol flame and bent a Peterson acrylic stem to a straighter form in front of me. I thought, "Ah, I can also do that at home...".

 

[hawky454]

Man, it looks very minor to me. If it were mine, I’d keep it and appreciate it as a character unique to that pipe.

 

[jensen]

hawky, yes

 

[btwes7]

I returned a Newgrange 999 a few months ago. Stem was off center quite a bit and for the money I paid for it, wasn't happy with it.

 

[menuhin]

As I have implied, and many others also pointed out that the issue is minor (or is there a problem at all?). Having that said, it is totally fine to return an unsmoked pipe in its original condition to the seller if they take return.
Life is too short to own a pipe that one is not 100% happy about.

Therefore getting unwarranted estate pipes from auction sites and from classified sites are gambles of buying troubles versus acquiring treasures. I once bought an estate carved meerschaum that was beautiful on one side and the seller just asked me to treat him when I asked for more info, and it ended up chipped in many places on the other side. So, as long as you have your rights, you are free to use it.

 

[ssjones]

Welcome to the forum! I can't really see an issue with it, from the video or pix. But from personal experience, if something bothers me about a pipe, I'm not likely to forget about the issue.
My mother was born in Sopron, so it's great to see a Hungarian forum member.

 

[auburnfan]

If it bothers you.... return it.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Gently Tamped:Hi and Welcome to forum, well this seems be a common thing with lots of Petersons,just got me and my fried two Petersons 999 from their Waterford line,both them acrylic stems had this like twist which I eventually managed to fix up with my heat gun.Further on,then in the past I have had similar model(999) but from factory Aran line,which similarly had misaligned stem with a slight bulge.Can't help wondering if it so difficult to make these 999 with properly curved and shaped stems.In my opinion a Pipe costing more than $ 100 should come with flawless and properly made stems.Moreover,you may wanna directly get in touch with Peterson factory sales representatives and report the issue,I'am pretty convinced they will consider taking your pipe back to get this straighten out.Glenn@Peterson.Ie. As a side note,any repairs performed at factory will definitely take some time. Best Greets, Paul

 

[gentlytamped]

Hey guys! Thanks for all the responses, I contacted the seller in Ireland and they were kind enough to take it back and have it fixed with Peterson. Could take 2-3 weeks that I can get it back but it will be aligned perfectly. As some of you pointed out it may not be a big deal but at the spigot range level I expect it to be perfect.
Hey Paul! Thanks and good to see you here as well!

 

[mso489]

Since pipes tend to be life-long possessions, I think the extra time spent waiting for this to be made right is well worth it. Many would have chalked it up to a little asymmetry, a part of the pipe's personality, but you didn't like it. Now, you'll feel good every time you smoke it knowing it is the way you want it.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Yes, at this price point level like the Peterson spigots are, stems should be aligned 100% perfectly-no exceptions.