Is the scuff/ding thing mainly a problem in the US?
I have 7 friends and also myself who got the black iPone 5 on launch day and non of us have any aesthetic problems whatsoever, non of us use cases and, whilst we have only had them since launch day, not one of us have suffered any sort of scratches or scuffs at all.
I even keep mine, sans-case, in the front pocket of my bag whilst cycling to and from work where it often comes into contact with the zip teeth