As an Australian this is so weird to hear. I have a business relationship with the person I gave money to, not some third party factory or manufacturer that I never met. The law requires the merchant to take the return and make it right, after that it's their problem. Most likely they have a better idea about the next step than I would as a random customer.
For some strange reason Google supporters never consider that had Google actually cared, there would be support contracts in place with its providers.
Apparently that is something that doesn't exist in US, the hardware maker is the only one to blame.
My general impression is that most companies are quick to take responsibility for consumer products sold in the US, unless product failure results in liability for a major safety risk (think McDonald's coffee scalds or Ford Explorer rollover accidents).
If the engine computer fails in a BMW due to a widespread defect, the BMW dealer doesn't send the customer to Bosch on a wild goose chase. If a Macbook Pro SSD fails due to a widespread defect, Apple doesn't tell the customer to call Samsung. They either take ownership of the problem and make the customer happy (with the expectation that a brand-loyal customer's next purchase will pay the cost of solving the current problem), or they make an effort to offer some kind of solution at the customer's cost.
I'm taking it a step further and saying we don't even talk to the manufacturer, just the store - it doesn't matter what Apple thinks (unless you bought it directly from them). There's a legal concept of whether or not the item is fit for purpose or defective (generally, if you knew X would happen before you bought it, would you still have bought it?) which shuts down excuses.