Smell test failed.
Considering the fact that the LBS sold you the bars at less than half of their cost and considering the nature of the failure something is just not right.
This doesn't mean that you, as a consumer, should get hosed in the deal but, if you do, I would reconsider who it is that is doing the hosing.
I have no doubt that once Zipp saw the pricing that alarm bells wrang and they put the binders on any warranty. Even if you are denied they should, at the very least, offer an explanation.
I suspect that there are a few more details yet to be revealed.