How do I overcome my post-purchase dissonance?

Question

I accidentally left my power adapter and cable at my cottage.  Because I use my iPad at work, I either had to return to the cottage to get the cable or buy a new one. (I came back Monday and we are now Wed and I was down too 5% battery). 
Because my cottage is 120km away, I decided to buy another cable so that I wouldn't have to worry about remembering it going forward. 
When I announced at work that I was off to the local Apple store for a cord a consultant laughed at me and told me to just buy it on-line.  He showed me how a cheap knock-off was only $4.99 which was considerably less than the Apple store price of $40.00 (almost 10x less expensive) and that it would be delivered to my house.  A young employee even threw me a black USB-30-pin connector and said I could just use it to plug into my PC (my workplace is a Microsoft based shop) until I went back to my cottage.
Anyway, I shunned these offers and told them that I was going to the Apple store because I wanted to ensure that I was buying a compatible cord that would not damage my precious iPad. 
I brought my iPad with me so that I would have no problems getting the right cord.  Like usual, I was helped quickly, made my purchase and left the store for my long walk back to the office. 
When I got back, I opened the hermetically sealed cable package to discover something called a "lighting to USB" cable.  To the delight of the consultant and my young staff, my extra effort and expense to buy a genuine Apple accessory did not work out.  I had to use an old fashioned piece of paper for my next meeting. 
After my meeting, I phoned the Apple store and was told the only way to resolve my issue was to walk back to the store.  I finished my day and walked back.  I reexplained my issue and was given another white box and was told that I was lucky because the 30-pin cable I needed was the same price.  I went to open the box and the sales associate quickly stopped me and said I wasn't allowed!  I explained that I had already bought a power cord and it was the wrong one and didn't want to have to walk back a third time.  He explained that under no circumstances could I open the box because it could not be resealed after being opened.  As this was unfolding, the store security guard walked over and stood in front of us.  The employee reassured me that the 30 pin cord was the right one.  As proof, he pointed to the picture on the box. 
I reluctantly accepted the new cord and left for home.   As it turns out, the second cord was the right one and I am typing this note on my iPad.  BUT I can't get over the feeling that I didn't make the right purchase.  I could have saved a lot of money and time by buying a non-Apple replacement.  Did I really do the right thing or am I just that old guy that doesn't know what he is doing?  How do I get over this post-purchase dissonance?

Answer 1

Unfortunately the user had a wet charger and I find it hard to believe an Apple charger would be safe in those conditions. The latest iOS7 prevents my third party cables from charging now when it worked fine under the former iOS6. It is all about profit and Apple is making a monster markup on all their accessories and wants to prevent others from making it. Most times Apple changes the configurations of their cables and dongles NOT for the sake of technical reasons but only to make sure the ones that upgrade each time are unable to use their existing accessories as is. Apple forces them into a new purchase for more profit. When I upgraded to the iPad mini and MacBook Air my existing accessories where rendered useless.