New climbing rope Defect?

Can anyone tell me what they think of this bi-patter rope I just picked up? I bought it today and while flaking it I discovered a lot of fraying at the color transition. Is this normal for the transition in a bi-pattern rope? it makes me nervous, I know it's just the sheath, but still....
I've contacted the manufacture and am expecting a reply soon. Don't wanna slander their name as they're known for quality products.

Is this something I should be worried about? or am I making something out of nothing?

That definitely is a good cause for suspicion. I've never heard of that on a new rope

This rope is a death trap! Send it to me and I'll make sure its properly disposed of.

http://www.sterlingrope.com/faq#faq6

Check out #6. The fuzziness on your rope may be this, or it may be something more, you'll have to take a close look - but for whatever it's worth I have a bi-color rope that has this fuzziness where the colors change, and it's never gotten worse and never been a problem. Actually, it's pretty convenient to be able to feel where the middle of the rope is. Good luck with yours!

I had just finished reading what sterling said and then saw Em Cos had posted it... haha well it makes me feel much better... now I'll just have to convince each of my climbing buddies when they notice it!

Be careful how you are abrading the rope surface. If you are using a brake bar, figure 8 or some other device for descending, make sure the surface of the device isn't scratched. You should be using scraps of carpet over any cliff edge so the rock doesn't abrade the rope as it slips over. I had this problem with a number of Maxim Ropes.

John nails it... mostly. Sterling actually has a few ropes that do not use the "cut and splice method." On those ropes, like the Marathon bi-color, hey use all the same colors and just change the pattern. On this rope, John is spot-on.

IIRC, they use compressed air to blend the fibers at the splice. Actually, the middle point is the most durable and strongest point in the rope because of the additional mass of the sheath at that point.

This is just my opinion based on a tour of the facility and a cursory understanding of how ropes work, but I think your rope is fine. However, if you are at all uncomfortable, I would contact Sterling directly. They have an AWESOME customer service team at the factory. I would bet that they would do whatever it takes to make you happy.