I guess there will always be some second quality or rejects that make it to the retail counter. Sorry to hear that the hunter wasn't up to your standards for the price.
All of the ones that I have purchased have been in-person at either the "Rough Rider store" or at a knife show. I am pretty choosy in terms of slippie pattern and size, but all of these have been very well put together. I don't expect perfect with them, but mine are pretty darn close. I have only looked at slip joints so far. I'm not collecting them, so it's unlikely I will ever wander into their store and pick up 10 (ie large number) of them on the same day. I'll buy a couple that catch my eye and they generally have natural materials for scales.
Added: Somebody might say that I'm cherry picking them, but that really has not been the case.... I look at one that appeals to me, say I'll take it and they pull another one out of the case and I inspect it prior to purchase. There has been no looking at 4 or 5 trying to find a perfect one. With Case, I have often looked at two or three of the same model before buying one. Frost, I have bought for giggles and I have honestly looked at 7 to 10 before choosing one (and they're still junk).