should a protractor head read like this?

[Alan Bienlein]

Just checked the one at work thats about 5 years old and it reads perfect both ways. Yours is either defective or a knock off.

[paul dyar]

Checked my Starrett, and dead on both ways. Got it around 1993.

[Craig Behnke]

I sent the protractor back to Amazon for a full refund. I gave that brand and exact same model two chances and both had the issue. I have no idea if it was just defective, or a counterfeit, etc., I'm not making any claims about Starrett or slagging on them at all...I just don't have the time and desire to investigate or track that stuff down.

I found a brand new, made in Japan Mitutoyo complete combo square set (square, protractor, center finder, rule), hardened steel (IMO a slight upgrade in material vs the cast iron Starrett) for about the same price as just the cast iron Starrett protractor head. The Mitutoyo is spot on so I'm pleased with it so far. Looks and feels very high quality.

Thanks for the insight from all the comments, appreciate it.