I notice this has been posted on the HD forums too.. interesting.

I went and read that forum just now and I was surprised that someone said TL has the exact same guarantee! Not in my case.

Is there any way to ask the factory to remove the excess lace at the time of the order?

I think whoever that was, was lying - from what I know about TL's guarantee it can't be cut in or worn at all. If the HD guarantee allows you to cut it in and/or wear it before returning it then whoever wrote that is clearly mistaken.