I recently got a set of Ambrosio bars from England shipped with the poly sleeve (that they orig. came in), plus a bit of paper added, but only on the ends and the center sleeve. They had been scarred (not on the sleeve, thank goodness) and I complained to the seller, who sent me another pair. I paid for the second pair also, sans shipping cost. I guess nobody's heard of pipe insulation over there. Comparing the two, I can't see any actual bending damage -- but I don't agree with that method of shipping.