I totally understand RMA replacements come from used stock and I'm ok with that... but man, I found a hair after I took the cooler off... The card I received was not even close to "90 day step-up" card condition... it was heavily abused and soldered... hope I can attach all photos I made...
Still have 8 years warranty left on my card and don't have a lot of faith in my replacement, my concern is are you still accept it for warranty, considering rust on connectors, corrosion on capacitors and clear traces of soldering? Oh, and two stickers with serial numbers are damaged... I cannot attach more than one picture, so will try to do multiple posts.

3
 

5

7

Hope this is just rust... and not mold, so I don't have to grind my Caselabs SMA8... 

Unacceptable. If I were you, I would request a replacement replacement. There is too much concern about future performance and warranty issues with that one. EVGA might say 'don't worry about it! you have documented the damage, and we have made note of it.', but I would worry. Policies change and memory fades. The rust and corrosion will only spread more and more. An area which previously didn't look corroded might begin to corrode, and EVGA might say that it is new corrosion and is therefore your fault.

Send that turd back and request reimbursement on the shipping.

EVGATech_ChristianJ
Hello jekap,
 
I am sorry to see the condition your card arrived in. I will be reaching out to you directly to get this taken care of.

EVGATech_ChristianJ
Hello jekap,
 
I am sorry to see the condition your card arrived in. I will be reaching out to you directly to get this taken care of.

Thank you! I replied to your email.

ExiledMafia
Please follow up when you get your replacement card

Yes, will do.

Contact CS & have them Note this issue in your File ..... then Test the Card in your PC
 
If you ever have to RMA in future there will be the Note & pictures about the condition you posted

Cool GTX
Contact CS & have them Note this issue in your File ..... then Test the Card in your PC
 
If you ever have to RMA in future there will be the Note & pictures about the condition you posted

The card seems to be working fine, damage is cosmetic only but in pretty critical area of PCB. 
Will wait if EVGA can outline their position here. I don't want to give them any hard time - still believe their products, warranty and customer support are the best in the industry. Just want to get a clear statement regarding my case. 
If they don't post anything in the forum, I will give them a call tomorrow or early next week. will post reply here. 

jekap

Cool GTX
Contact CS & have them Note this issue in your File ..... then Test the Card in your PC
 
If you ever have to RMA in future there will be the Note & pictures about the condition you posted

The card seems to be working fine, damage is cosmetic only but in pretty critical area of PCB. 
Will wait if EVGA can outline their position here. I don't want to give them any hard time - still believe their products, warranty and customer support are the best in the industry. Just want to get a clear statement regarding my case. 
If they don't post anything in the forum, I will give them a call tomorrow or early next week. will post reply here. 

 
OK, give a update when you have something to share
 
Those are some Great Closeup photos; what did you take them with ?

Cool GTX

jekap

Cool GTX
Contact CS & have them Note this issue in your File ..... then Test the Card in your PC
 
If you ever have to RMA in future there will be the Note & pictures about the condition you posted

The card seems to be working fine, damage is cosmetic only but in pretty critical area of PCB. 
Will wait if EVGA can outline their position here. I don't want to give them any hard time - still believe their products, warranty and customer support are the best in the industry. Just want to get a clear statement regarding my case. 
If they don't post anything in the forum, I will give them a call tomorrow or early next week. will post reply here. 

 
OK, give a update when you have something to share
 
Those are some Great Closeup photos; what did you take them with ?

EVGA contacted me and offered another advanced RMA. Working on details and update the topic as it goes.
 
Those closups I took with iPhone Xs and native photo app :) Keep it about 10-15cm (4-6 inches) from the target and zoom in :)

Received the third RMA card - seems to be in good condition and working fine so far (3 days). 
Overall, I am happy with EVGA Customer Service and Warranty Policies. They offered me advanced RMA (cross-shipping) from the start, but since I am in Canada, I didn't want to deal with USD/CAD currency conversion and feed my bank... so went to standard RMA. Second and third time, EVGA offered advanced RMA with zero-dollar deposit. So I just entered my Visa card and had no charge. EVGA/UPS did a good job and I received all cards in less than a week with all customs clearance. Will be sending second card back today. Thank you, EVGA!