Q: iPhone 7 Plus with defect EarPod lightening

Got the iPhone 7 Plus. Wonderful phone however the EarPod lightening was defect out of the box! The controls did not work and after 30 seconds use the sound started to pulse markedly. Anybody else with the same experience?

I bought it from the Apple web store and tried to get a replacement EarPod but that was not possible. Only way was to return the entire box, including the phone and then wait +3 weeks for the replacement. Of course that is a not an option. Who can be without a phone for 3 weeks?

Disappointed on the service but extremely happy with the phone.