Not the best ACDelco and/or ecore anecdote I've seen posted here recently. Yep, the seam pleat area not great looking. That said, as noted by the OP it did get the job done. In my observation the vast majority ecores anecdotes posted here recently have looked respectable, better than pleat area here.
As a related aside, I find it interesting reading the reactionary or imo over reactionary responses in some cases to a less than stellar looking filter anecdote. Just recently reading many 'ecores looking great' comments. Point, while I don't use ecores I wouldn't judge them all from this specific anecdote. I do appreciate that GM/ACDelco chooses to use separate dome end bypass with ecore as opposed to other non ACD using combo valve. Good choice by them imo.
Thanks for c&p.