Natty had some of the sized pockets when she was little and I loved them but never bought more... I think I might take up the $16 offer!
I too would assume they would come without inserts. I've bought HH on two occasions (once for me, once for a friend's baby) and at neither time did they come with inserts.
Natty lived in hers (they were so easy and quick-drying) and the velcro is still fabulous.