Have to say that flaps fully stowed on base is not that unusual in some environments. I've experienced it many times. Early deployment too. It all depends on so many possible scenarios including what ATC wants in terms of speed as they vector the inbounds. Some aircraft, subject to weight, can fly clean at much lower speeds than others etc etc. I fly often on the Canadair CRJ-900 to Birmingham. Initial flap deployment varies all the time.