I just bought an Induro DM-01 ballhead.

I tried tightening the friction control knob (to find the proper resistance for my Rebel and Canon 70-200mm f/4), but things came to a grinding halt (literally): as I tested the tension, the ball head made a grinding noise and the ball's enclosure ended up making a huge gash on the ball (see pic below).

Surely this can't be how friction control knobs are supposed to function, can it?? I had barely even tightened it too!

Mind you, this is the 3rd Induro product, in a row, with a defect.

Wednesday:
I had to return the first Induro DM-01 ball head (within 2 hours of purchase), because of a defective quick-release plate. While at the camera store, the sales rep at Keeble & Shuchat also noticed that the ball head, itself, was defective as well. (Both would slip, no matter how much you tightened them.)

Tuesday:
I purchased the Induro C114 tripod, and had to return it, first because of defective case straps, then (yet again) because of a defective leg!

So let's see: 3 Induro products. 5 defects. 48 hours.

Is Induro's quality that shoddy? Or am I just having the worst luck in years?

I should have gone with my instincts, and purchased the Gitzo 1540T tripod and G-1178M head from the start. (Gitzo's ball heads may not be the best, but I'm pretty sure they last more than 24 hours.)

http://eflamenco.com/induro/induro-dm01-scratches.jpg