I'm not an Apple employee or repair technician. They seem like professional tools - I would definitely need to reference the included instructions.
It’s a lose lose situation.
For fucks sake, it's like they can't satisfy you no matter what they do. You wanted to be able to repair to the quality and assurance that the manufacturer does and now are griping about the cost of it. (or did you? and now are having 2nd thoughts?)
If I had to say one thing it would be have the purchase of the items through the apple website and normal apple account. Not that strange third party thing. Just hook it into the apple eco-system like all of their other stuff.
Imagine if they did the apple trade-in program or returns this way or applecare this way, created a whole new obtuse website to use.
Also I don't appreciate the swearing and I don't have 2nd thoughts.