Rheem Heat pump water heater - missing gasket from factory!

I just wanted to share my experience in case it's helpful to anyone in the future.

I recently had a new Rheem heat pump water heater delivered from Home Depot. I decided to diy this project as I got several absurd quotes to having it done professionally and after having done various other plumbing projects it didn't seem to complicated.

Got all the materials together, got to use my trusty propress tool, got the 240v run set up, and got the unit all installed and ready to go.

Imagine my disappointment when I open the water valve and water starts streaming out of the lower heating element.

So I order a 1.5" socket, try to tighten the element and still leaking. Then I take the whole element out and notice there's no gasket on the element.

Rheem customer service is only open during business hours while I'm at with and has a 200 person wait whenever I try to call. The part is out of stock on their website.

I manage to order it from a the third party website and fix the problem

I can't believe the terrible quality control Rheem must have to let that get by their manufacturing process!