Well I am glad that I live in a country where there are laws governing products and warranties forcing these companies to make good on them. Here in the state of FL there is a branch of the Department of Agriculture that deals with consumer issues. I've used them before to get companies to do the right thing like when one tried to refuse honoring their $50 rebate. They got it for me right away when I presented my evidence.
If I have trouble with an rma I will file a complaint with them and present my evidence and let them resolve the issue for me. If a company is aware of this in the first place then it could have some bearing on their rma process for customers from FL.