If this is a "total fail" in your book, I can only assume you are new to purchasing products. If you don't like it, great, return it. This problem, however, is a inconvenience. A "total fail" is a car that stops running right after you purchase it, a cell phone that won't make any calls, a light that won't take a charge after 5 uses, tires that claim to be 4 season tires but can't go above 5mph in the rain - etc. The fact that a cord is not aesthetically pleasing to you (it probably comes with ties in the box) is a "total fail" is greatly amusing.
I've returned several products for being annoying, and that's your prerogative to do if you don't like it.