I just bought a sedona 1000 for light tackle fishing, and have owned plenty of shimano spinning reels in the past. It felt really stiff and scratchy right out of the box, normally they are smooth as silk (even the $30 siennas are smoother than this one was). So I took it back to the store and exchanged it for a new one. The 2nd one wasn't as bad, but still pretty stiff, so I took it apart, greased the gears, oiled the bearings, put it back together, cranked on it for 10 mins straight to try to work the grease in, and nothing has changed. Has anyone else had problems like this with shimano spinning reels? This is the first time I have had a problem with any shimano product...I used to have a lot of faith in shimano, not so sure anymore. 

I always take a new Shimano reel apart and DEGREASE  them, as they normally put too much grease in them from the factory.

If a spinning reel isn't perfect out of the box, exchange it for another one.  If the second one isn't perfect either try another model or another brand.  I would not take it apart.

I'd take it back and try the next one in the store before I left.

Same thing with my Sedona. It's certainly not bad, but a little "crunchier" than I expected. The same day I bought that I also bought a Pflueger President (around same price) and it is 50x better than the Sedona. The President became the spinning real I will continue to buy and use.

If a spinning reel isn't perfect out of the box, exchange it for another one.  If the second one isn't perfect either try another model or another brand.  I would not take it apart.

Think I'm going to just exchange it for a store credit (got the dicks sporting goods protection plan) and spend the extra $20 for a sahara, I have a sahara 3000 for weightless presentations and drop shot type-stuff and it is SWEET.

If a spinning reel isn't perfect out of the box, exchange it for another one.  If the second one isn't perfect either try another model or another brand.  I would not take it apart.

I have a sedona 500 size that I bought a month ago that worked great out of the box, but I also got a solstace around the same time that was a dog right out of the box. It's probably defective and no amount of cleaning is going to fix it. I took mine apart and noticed the shaft was more oval shaped than round. I don't know if it's designed that way or not, but it certainly doesn't work. Exchange it for sure.

Where are all the shimano fan boys when you need them?

Had the same issue with the same reel a couple years ago looking for a small stream trout reel. Tried 2 and gave up. Got the sahara instead. Buttery smooth reel.

Out of 30+ shimano reels, ive only bought one that didnt feel right and it got sent back. Was an older model symetre 500 for ultralight. While turning the handle it seemed like it would bind up and get hard to turn. The 2500/3000 saharas seem to be bulletproof, very smooth reels...

Regardless of brand, if a new product doesn't meet expectations, return or exchange it.

Out of 30+ shimano reels, ive only bought one that didnt feel right and it got sent back. Was an older model symetre 500 for ultralight. While turning the handle it seemed like it would bind up and get hard to turn. The 2500/3000 saharas seem to be bulletproof, very smooth reels...

Likely a relatively simple fix, but should not be  necessary right out of the box, or ever unless someone gets into it.

Might help or not... Sometimes the nut holding the rotor on is just a hair too tight. The big half inch nut at the base of the shaft. I have taken them apart and sometimes overtighten it. Gotta back it off a little but not so much the rotor wobbles.

Hope this helps ya.

I've got quite a few Shimano spinners and a real pain when reassembling the two things that I've found out is remove all the grease,just a little and a few drops of oil. And line up the arrows up on the main gear with the pin on the isolator gear the spacers on the crank handle main gear is also important just practice until you get it smooth and it can be very frustrating