IT sounds to me like UPS wrecked this deal for you. It would seem (and I'm sure UPS will claim) that this was packaged insufficiently. Those are hard to ship. I have shipped three sets. Two of those sets had the factory foam blocks and box to ship them in so they were OK, the last set, the corners got smashed in because I shipped them in a "custom" box. Even though I made the damn box near bullet proof, UPS still wrecked the deal. DAMN UPS! So, I can relate to what that seller is going through with you.
Now for the best possible thing you can do:
I honestly think you should take the bars off and put a polished stainless GOBI rack up there.
That's some serious BLING!
No rust since it's stainles. It;s polished and looks like chrome!
The rack sits the same height as the factory bars too.