I've played guitars in the $800 - $1200 range all of my life, and the first ding is always the hardest. Then I ended up heavily modding an SE CU24 to the point that I think my total cost was around $2k, which included labor because I didn't know how to tap coils and install mini toggles. I never seems to worry too much about the dings. I never try to do anything to create wear, but just not that worried about it.
Then I bought my core maybe 5-6 weeks ago? Gorgeous guitar, and $$$ since it's a wood library. It came with a nitro satin finish, which looks and feels amazing, and the guitar is very resonant. But, the finish is soft and I put scratch marks on it the first jam session with the pick, because I lack discipline with the right hand. lol
Anyway, I was really bummed right at first about it, but then I remembered that I bought it to play, not to look at. I'm not into relic'ed guitars myself, so maybe in 10-15 years, if it needs it, I'll pay PRS to refinish it. Until then, I'll be adding to the pick marks here and there and smiling the entire time.