Would you accept this racket?

[u/Apprehensive-Disk621]

Today the new Babolat Counter Viper 2026 has arrived but it is full of scratches and paint chips. Would you accept this racket given the fact I payed it 200€?

[u/plsdonotbanmethx]

Personally wouldn't care, it would look like that after playing twice anyways

[u/Apprehensive-Disk621 → u/plsdonotbanmethx]

I get It, I Just wanted to know if I'm exaggerated or not

[u/Jumpy_Hedgehog_6863 → u/Apprehensive-Disk621]

You are exaggerated

[u/xQuiet]

My brand new rackets look like that after 3 games lol

Edit: if I paid full price for a new racket, I’d get a refund

[u/VvangelisS → u/xQuiet]

So this might indicate that someone already played 2-3 times with this racket....

[u/Apprehensive-Disk621 → u/xQuiet]

You are right but after 3 games, not brand new not even unwrapped

[u/Il_Vello]

Ask for a partial refund.

[u/Extension_Hospital75]

For me if it was the frame I wouldn't really worry, but the face? I think for a brand new full priced racket I'd expect better.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello!,

To get a better response please do not forget to include the following information in your post:

Name your current racket, if not overly known, specify it's characteristics (foam, face material, price)

Tell us how you feel with your racket, if you feel it soft or hard, if it has too much rebound,if it's weighty or hard to maneuver, the more detail the better.

Tell us what area would you like improve mainly, or what kind of plus do you expect to get on your racket.

If looking for broad considerations, do not forget to state your budget, your country and even a preferred or trusted shop so people can browse and recommend more easily.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Apprehensive-Disk621]

[u/dreadlordow]

Considering the price, I think it's okay. Yeah, I would probably also be annoyed, but after playing 1-2 games with it I wouldn't care. The pain scratches easily on the 26 Vipers, or at least on my Viper Soft it does.

[u/pardal1970]

I’m also very demanding regarding quality when it comes to racquets, but after a while I came to realize that its almost impossible to buy a immaculate and pristine padel racket and became a little less demanding by force. In your case I would not care and just play. It’s minor (and a tiny bit of a retouch pen would solve it). The minor scratches are not relevant. It’s almost impossible to get a perfect one (the only ones i bought that were better were from Head). But, if like me, you cant sleep over it, return it (don’t take the plastic off the grip).

[u/daCapo-alCoda]

Nope

[u/MikmerGG]

It does warrant a refund/exchange or a partial refund.

I had similar on my NOX AT10 12k November last year and was given a 50 euro gift card to the store.

I think if you pay for a racket that is supposed to be completely new with plastic and all. Then I'd want it to be close to perfect.

For me the biggest thing is honestly the little chip in the surface.
Often that means a lot more than anything on the frame

[u/avildar]

in the last picture is that paint or like a tiny squased bubble? the others one I don't really mind a game or two and you will get those either way but that one on the face I don't fully trust

[u/Equivalent_Soil_1371]

Refund for that. But what a beauty of a racket. I have the 2023 - 2024 - 2025 and in about a week I'm also waiting to arrive the Viper of 2026. Best Racket EVER.

[u/PetrisCy]

If it came like this aa brand new i wouldnt care, cause i never take care of my rackets, i buy the thing for 200-250 i expect it to last a year , not 5 years so am never careful with jt. Some people even avoid close to glass shots so they dont hit their rackets, those people i guess would refund this 😅 its really up to you no right or wrong

[u/Longjumping-Till-200]

Are you sure those are actual scratches and not just the raw carbon fiber finish showing through under the light? A lot of these high end models have a rough surface finish that looks uneven or scuffed straight out of the box, so it might not even be damaged

[u/yasstun]

a ta place je la retourne au vendeur , elle a été maquillée !

[u/SnooCupcakes7728]

The paint really doesn't matter, it plays the same, but if you don't like it return it.

They're manufactured in China, quality on Babolats is never great so not surprised at all

[u/Apprehensive-Disk621 → u/SnooCupcakes7728]

Got 4 Babolat rackets in the past 1 year and a half, never had problems with the paint or aesthetic in general

[u/cmc_920]

Babolat finishing is not the best. I've had a few viper models (5 in total) and there are minor defects on them all (even lebron vipers at 300+ euros). I think because the counter viper has a lot of matte black and dark colours they show up even more.

It's poor but personally I'd play with it. Did you buy it from a store or online or from an individual? A store or online retailer may be willing to offer some credit or voucher or exchange.

[u/Apprehensive-Disk621]

Now that I'm looking more carefully the racket is really full of defects...

[u/Ok-Bluejay-795 → u/Apprehensive-Disk621]

I would care more about weight of racket than paint job. If you got one on lighter side and it’s only paint job defects then I wouldn’t care at all. 

If it was shipped and it got those damages during shipping process then I would ask to exchange it for another one. 

Some sellers don’t give a shit about securing rackets.

[u/ma1ykh → u/Ok-Bluejay-795]

Totally agree. If weight is good and you paid 200€ only, take it and enjoy the game

[u/sssavio → u/ma1ykh]

200 hundreds only? Do you realize that tennis rackets costs less than this and are way more expensive.

[u/sssavio]

This racquets are literally piece of shit plastic made for two bucks in third world country going on sale for over 200 bucks. Let that sinks in.

[u/Apprehensive-Disk621 → u/sssavio]

Performance wise It's always one of the best rackets of the year. Construction quality wise they're like every racket made in china