Looking for a little advice here. Sent out a mint bike to a publication for a non-test-ride "photo shoot". Recently got the bike back, packed worse than my 3 year old would do it, and with major paint damage in multiple areas. Doesn't look like crash damage, just looks like the bike was thrown around carelessly on multiple occasions.

The bummer is that it is a carbon tube/ti lug frame, which is a major PITA to re-paint, so... Wondering if any of you have had similar issues, and if so, what have you done about it? I'd have no problem if it had been a ride test/review, and shit happened out on the road, but this was a life-style pub, and a photo shoot only deal, and just obvious disrespect for the merch.

I'll admit I'm more than a little fed up with journos, since I've had multiple issues with review bikes disappearing and the effort expended to get them back. Just wondering if it is really worth it, and if any of you have found ways to crack the code on dealing with these folks.