Faulty Tank Tread

I want to apologize ahead of time if this is the wrong place to post this. Please redirect me if necessary.

Anyhow, my team made our first purchase of parts in December and we didn’t get to open them until today due to the school schedule. We opened up the high strength sprocket and chain kit and the tank treads inside were bent, and plastic flakes were still attached to the connecting pieces. despite rebending the pieces and cutting off the flakes, the tank tread does not hold. As a 5 year competitor, I know these parts aren’t supposed to be this quality.

Is there a way to replace the parts or receive a refund for these parts?

Photo 1: Shows flakes inside the connecting holes
Photo 2: Shows the flakes around the connectors
Photo 3: Top line of tread shows the expected quality. Bottom line of tread shows tread with bent connectors

Hello DracoTheDragon,

Thanks for taking the time to report this discrepancy and for sharing the pictures. They were very helpful.
This is the first time such problem is reported to VEX, we will definitely follow-up with our Manufacturer and re-inspect our current stock.

For now we should be able to exchange your suspect kit, please send us an email to [email protected] referencing this forum thread. Make sure to include your ordering information & shipping address.

Once again, thank you for your time and I apologize about this issue.
Regards.

-Eli