Quoted from Who-Dey:All playfields should be top notch quality period. The playfield is the main part of a pinball machine that should never ever be compromised when it comes to quality.
What do you consider "top notch quality"? Is it realistic to expect zero variation in production? If some variation in production is normal, what is acceptable?
Manufacturers usually hold there suppliers to certain standards that for pinball probably includes some level of ribbing, dimpling and chipping, because you see these things on playfields from the big manufacturers.
Problem is, no where is it stated to what degree these defects become unacceptable. In their defense, it seems like it would be difficult to put a hard specification on these types of issues.
My first NIB experience was an early WOZ. It had some ribbing on the playfield and the top of the back edge of the lower cabinet was shredded, like from a dull saw blade. I didn't think these defects were bad enough for JJP to toss the playfield and cabinet out, so chalked it up to unfortunate but acceptable levels of production variation.
I learned that if those kinds of things bother me, better not to buy anything sight unseen in the future.
TL:dr
Some variations in playfield and overall game quality is normal. Don't buy sight unseen if you're concerned with imperfections.