Pardon me for getting involved, but in the UK, you could make a claim under your household contents insurance under the accidental damage section. Is that not available elsewhere in the world?

I agree that customer service is a requirement, however, companies have also gone bankrupt for bailing people out each time they break something, accidentally or otherwise.

As for the ability to repair an item, subject to payment or not; that is a different matter. I suspect it is one of company economics and structure as Jack says.

Marc B-C