I guess it's all opinion. I bought the camera at Best Buy (which I admit that was a mistake). I've called them, mentioning that I've had the camera for less than 90 days. But they insisted that I go through Nikon for repair. That was a lesson learned. Don't shop there for camera equipment anymore obviously.
As far as having a time machine and knowing what I would have purchased instead? I don't know really. I thought I wouldn't have a problem like this. I understand it's a small chance that a problem like this would even happen. But I've seen better repair options with other non-camera/electronics companies. Why does Nikon insist that warranty work be done only at their 2 (?) locations in the states? That makes things difficult for customers. But I guess I understand. And no, I'm not a member of NPS. And to me, this button failing is like buying a Ford, and the blinker would stop working. I would then have to send that Ford to a state that's thousands of miles away, and possibly wouldn't have that Ford for 8 weeks? Because of a blinker that's broken? This is a broken button issue. And it's something I didn't cause. I can promise you that. I take care of equipment like this. VERY good care. That goes along with pretty much everything I own that I use and enjoy a lot. I take pride in being able to keep things in great working order! I still get complements on how clean my car is... and it's a 2003.
I apologized if my post bothered you. I'm just miffed because I really wanted to be able to continue my time lapse project I've been doing. I can always just use an older camera of mine or my iphone i guess... but it's just not the same. Maybe I can make it work somehow with editing. I know most of the time you can take great photographs with no matter what camera you have, but this is one of the cases that the camera does in fact matter - for consistencies sake.
It's like trying to rent an apartment while having dogs. Those with dirty, annoying dogs have ruined it for those with clean, well behaved dogs. Those that don't take care of their equipment, have made it more difficult for those that take great care of their equipment. Customer's are typically not 'always right' anymore. We are questioned to death, and doubted upon. That is really what annoys me. I'm sure Nikon assumes it's the customers fault. It's just another company trying to cut corners. I'm sure Canon, Sony, etc.. would be the same. And I can work with that. But sometimes I want to vent about it.