What to do - service center broke MBA and refuses to repair

Question

I brought in a ~1.5 year old MBA (outside of warranty) into an authorized service center for replacement of the hinge. I originally was under the impression that I would be paying out of pocket for this, and needed the repair done in a timely manor, which is the reason I brought it to this service center and not an Apple location. I was told the issue was a known defect and that the hinge would be replaced free of charge. A left the computer overnight and had the computer was available for pickup the next day. I brought the laptop home, turned it on, and noticed there was no sound. While the computer would play the boot chime, it thought there was constantly a headphone plugged in, and would not play any sound using built in speaker (headphones did work).
I brought the computer back and explained the issue to them. I explicitly asked the tech if there is anything I could have done to have caused this issue, to which he replied that it was "definitely entirely his fault." They replaced a few minor parts over the course of a week and a half (sound board, connectors, etc) but the problem persisted. After a lengthy wait (they had to talk to Apple tech) they said that I would be forced to send the computer into Apple and have them complete the work. The price would most likely run $300, of which I would be responsible for. They claimed that the issue was "most likely not caused" by them.
Aside from taking them to court, what are my other options? I have reinstalled the OS (both from original DVD and Snow Leopard disk) with no change in problem. I do use sound quite often, and not having it available to use is beginning to become a relatively major issue.

Answer 1

Please please call Apple care. Since you took the computer in for service at an Apple Authorized Repair center and they fixed it for free which means Apple paid for it. This also Qualifies you for 90 day extension on the warranty. Trust me I've been through this before also. If you don't like the repair centers way of doing business tell Apple you want to send it in to them for the repair they will send you a box and you send it off to the. This repair should not cost you anything and should be covered under the 90 day extension. You may have to put up a fight but remember you left a repair shop with one problem fixed when they caused another.