Resurrecting an old thread!
I stopped by a local shop today and they had a Fender Deluxe Stratocaster in stock in blue. I was going to try it, but the only guy there was helping someone else. While I was waiting, I felt the neck. It had the worst case of fret sprout I've ever experienced. Granted, it's been unseasonably cold here, but this was significantly worst than what my Squier 51 was originally. I was literally afraid I would tear up my hand if I tried to play it.
I know it's a relatively inexpensive fix, but if I'm spending $800, I don't expect to fix anything like that. Disappointed.