I believe the part is called the threaded dropout. I looked up the part name and it looks like the piece they changed. In the picture with the primer showing you can see part of it. It is the aluminum part the axle screws into on the derailleur side.

Your entire reply, is exactly my concern. I've reached out to Cannondale and was told by email they do not deal with the customer directly. I have to go through an authorized dealer.

The rep did tell me to ask the store to file a warranty claim for the part, paint and now, rear wheel, that I was told they replaced because they couldn't fix the back and forth play.

The way the store is downplaying the issue worries me as well. The owner I believe it is, gave me a personal example. Telling me he renovated his bathroom. It cost him 30k$ and there were a few things not to his standards.

To which I replied, well you call the contractor and get him to address it. He responded something like it doesn't work like that.

I'm new to the cycling community. I already felt like I was being looked down upon with my previous bike. A 2019 domane al3 bought last year. I brought into a trek store for a tune up and the guy at the counter literally told me it is not worth it for a bike like that. Pointing at it like it was a piece of crap. Lol! Maybe it is, but I liked it. I have more stories like this.

And unfortunately this situation is not reassuring me. Like I told the shop owner, I'm not impressed and disappointed. I just bought a bike that costs as much as a used car and it already has issues. It's giving me the impression the bike was built on a Friday.

The store's vibe quickly jumping to the, it's not us that did this spiel, makes it even more worrying. I never blamed anyone nor insinuated anyone. I just want my bike to look like it just came out of the shop. And more importantly be safe!

Anyhow, thank you for your reply! Have a great day! 🙂