you should be happy it was only a 7 foot. think about the work you would have to do on a 9 footer.
thats why in most cases you find a great installer and dont let them use the company ones.
Other than the rails being a little heavier, there's not much difference between repairing a 7 vs a 9.
The part that would have really sucked is driving them to Oregon from Texas, and them checking them as luggage flying back.
He got really lucky and they didn't even charge him extra at the airport! Likely wouldn't have got them on the plane if they were 9 foot.