@ShopTeacher : It definitely is not just the handle, I can see the sideways motion in most of the bar. I'm from the Netherlands, so I don't think it will mean anything to you where I went to highschool.
Foosball tables in highschool are not uncommon here.
@JimWaterman : That is what I was thinking; it shouldn't be too difficult to manufacture straight rods in the factory. Are you talking from experience by calling this model/brand low quality? In Europe, Garlando is quite a well respected Italian brand. I paid over € 900,- for my table and it has a lot of nice features (sandblasted glass playfield, leg levellers, players molded on the bars, ball bearings, chrome plated hollow steel 16 mm rods, a sturdy foldable construction with wheels and at 78 kg it is quite a solid table). So I'm thinking maybe it is a previously returned product or showroom model. I'm glad you guys agree with me that it is not normal, so I will contact the store to resolve this.
I also was wondering could I just upgrade the rods and players in the future from another brand? (weighted men would be nice). It looks like 16 mm is pretty much a universal diameter, but I do think table sizes differ a bit between brands, which might result in different lengths of rods?