"I just want to make a final comment on this. Stopped by LBS this morning to discuss the guards. Turns out it was simply miscommunication and the guy wanted to drill the guard."
So we're denied an online lynching? Boo! 
"I've never seen that done so badly to be honest. All you need to do is drill a hole in the mudguard and bot it on. How do you tighten that bolt of it comes loose?"
How d'you even tighten it up in the first place? Agreed; very poor solution. Those brackets tend to get very rattly and often end up snapping. Much better to drill the 'guard, and use a small grommet and washers/short length of tubing to attach it. Bit fiddly cos you have to remove the rear wheel to fit it though.