Just received this curtain rod and am frustrated.  Each piece of the rod came out of the box with scratches.  I planned to put it up anyway because I don't think they will be noticeable with curtains hung on them.  My biggest problem is that I have spent the last hour trying to extend the short ends.  They are stuck!  I mean like glued!  I have pulled and twisted, used WD-40, used pliers, and tugged until my hands hurt but they are not budging at all.  I am going to keep trying because this is the look I want, but they will be completely unusable if the short rods don't extend.