I can't comment intelligently on the shutter specific questions as it pertains to wood species or manufacturing details, however, a better window should certainly prolong the life of the shutter. A poor window that leaks both heat and air (as well as UV light) will subject the shutter wood to harsh temperature swings, moisture, condensation, and generally inhospitable conditions. Keeping the air in front of the shutter much closer to interior temps will make the wood much more stable over time.

We recently ordered plantation shutters from blindsonsale.com. We got free samples from 3 different online sites and went with this company, getting white faux wood ones. The quality seems good, though the very ends of the louvers (not the louvers themselves) are not quite as smooth as the previous ones we had in another home--though this is not something that is visible, just something you can feel when touching them. Their phone support was good during our installation and the installation was easy. We had used blinds.com with good success before, but I think whatever company you use, just request free samples to see what you'll be getting. I got samples from another place that we didn't use because of the way the ends were finished off and the quality of the material they made theirs from. Unfortunately I can't recall now the one we rejected.

Check with your shutter company. Shutters typically are custom made, and as such, they can be painted any color you want. They painted our shutters they same color as our trim.

I'd be looking to get my money back then as that is a cop out and a crummy way to do business. No way you bought anywhere close to the best in the biz, or the best product in the biz. These looks like seconds to me. Because the gaps vary between blades and not being consistent, I don't know that they can be properly adjusted. Seems to me that either the blades are warped, or the centering pins are not centered or evenly spaced on the frame and I'm not sure that can be adjusted? Someone who deals with these might be able to comment.