At a loss - Two Sr. Tech's have abandoned me, still no synch

Question

Purchased my iPad 64GB in late June, got it up and running and promptly went on vacation. Gone for almost two weeks, created some files while away that were important to me.
Returned home, plugged in to sync, but first it saw it as a new iPad. Replugged, and it started auto-syncing but errored out, deleting several apps, including Numbers, wherein were my files. Created a backup hash (this was on 7/22). Terrified, I called Apple support.
First level tech had me do all the regular stuff with boots, etc. and gave up. He sent me to Level 2. Spent almost three days with back and forths, including sending MSInfo Report and iTunes diagnostics. Then the guy disappeared. Three emails and two voice mails and nothing.
On August 3, I started a new case. Quickly again sent to level 2. Worked with this guy, who could see the original case still open in their system. Super apologetic. Promised to take care of me, give me so "stuff" for my pains. Went through complete uninstall/reinstall of five Apple programs, got one good sync in the middle, but often still sees it as a new iPad or is only seeing 4GB of memory on the device... After the full "do over," he said he was working on some deeper stuff. He was going on vacation, promised to make sure I was covered while he was gone, etc.
Nothing.
I emailed him this morning. Left voice mail.
I just don't know what to do. I love the device when it works. It will not sync. USB seems to be the most likely culprit, but I'm able to DL my Canon DSLR, any number of USB memory devices, printers work fine.
I feel like just insisting on my money (including apps) back, but I've wasted so much time, and can't fathom why they won't even call or email back.
Does anyone know if there is a "level 3?"
(Obviously, I have all the detailed documentation for these cases, so if anyone at Apple can help, I'm happy to provide them.)

Answer 1

Everything is stored in your iTunes account, just download your Apps again, you are not charged a second time.
That with the backup works like this: Usually iTunes expect that everything is stored on your computer, which normally is. Before the iPhone and the iPad iTunes was the connection to the internet and the iTunesStore. With iPhone/iPad the things got a little more complicated because these devices are capable to buy directly content from the iTunesStore. Normally every time you synch your iPad/iPhone the purchased items are transferred to the iTunes library, but you can do that also manually (menu "File - Transfer Purchases from iPad").
So in the Backup itself are the informations what is stored on your iPad and where, plus the configuration files and things like game scores. Music, Movies, Pictures, Apps and so on are not stored in the Backup, that would not make any sense since all that stuff should be anyway in you iTunes library. Pictures are a little different, since iTunes doesn't take care of the directly, on the Mac iPhoto does that.
If you don't know anymore what Apps you bought, check your mails, Apple always send you a mail as a receipt (search for "iTunes Store").
enjoy your magic machine