New Platinum Stages Pole

As a Christmas present, I received a brass platinum stages pole. I just opened it today.....the case was cracked in two places and when I checked out the pole, it too was slightly damaged. It has many small dings and scratches and some kind of brown looking stuff? I was wondering if other people had this problem with brass poles......since brass is "soft" does it often get damaged in shipping? I called Platinum Stages and the guy I spoke with was very nice and helpful. Apparently, I just have to take photos, send them in and they will ship me a new pole on Monday or Tuesday. I was kind of surprised as it seems most people say that Platinum Stages has pretty horrible customer service.....I guess I shouldn't speak too soon incase the new pole does not arrive in a timely manner, lol. I hope that the same thing does not happen to the new brass pole. However, as it was inside the case, it seems like the dings and scratches would have happened *prior* to shipping. Maybe I am just being too picky.....