I am surprised that a company that values aesthetics as highly as Noble does, sends out a product that is less than perfect in that regard. A note on the website might avoid disappointment.
Yep. From a customer's perspective, I'd be bothered if my product came with a bunch of cosmetic flaws. Especially one that costs several hundred dollars (or more). While I'm sure John, Brannan, and the rest of the Noble team are working hard to resolve any issues, it would be prudent for them to inform potential customers of this tiering system, and what it entails. Managing customers' expectations can help a lot in the long run.