so ares armor has a billet 80% for 60$ that is on sale from 160$.. what I don't understand is.... they also sell a 'blemished' billet 80 for 72$.. what gives?? ive kept an eye on the live instock numbers. 100 gone in a day.. how are these two different, minus the blem status...

I would like to reply, but there isn't a link.

wow, I couldn't pass up $60.00 for a billet lower.
I have no idea other than they are having a sale on these and not their blems.

I would guess that the "blemished" lowers are machining blemishes.

I got two Ares Billet 80%ers and was not impressed with the finish work(or lack thereof).
There are very sharp corners on the outside corners of the magwell flare, rounded edges follow most of the 2D edges, but stop where the machining would go to 3D(magwell flare) and every edge where blending occurs(Around the trigger guard, and mag button).
You can see the poor finish in the posted picture on their website.
Overall, they function fine and I will try to smooth out the issues before I Duracoat them, but I would never have accepted these from a machine shop like this.
 

still a damn good price. I have a mill and don't mind fixing a few of the issues you mentioned.

so what stripped billet uppers are out there that will look good on this? I tried it with one of my forged uppers and it doesn't match at all.

Any help would be appreciated.

Their billet receivers might also require a little grinding on your jig to fit (if you're using a jig).  Mine did.