They want to Repair my iPhone

So I noticed that lint has been getting underneath the glass on my iphone, and I look online for some solutions. Ive found that past owners simply walked up the Apple store, and they replaced their phone for a defective display. Cool.
So I went ahead and called Apple to verify, and sure enough - we set up an appointment to have my phone replaced at the store the next day.
I go to the store, and learn that they are no longer replacing the phones. He wants to order me a new glass and repair my phone - repair a product that was bought defective. I dont think so.
I call back Apple, and theyre shocked. Theyve never heard of repairing a phone, and the second Apple rep told me that they should just replace it. He proceeds to call the store and get an explanation for this.
Come to find out, there are a few select stores that are testing the repair ability on the phone, and they are now trying to repair iPhones that are defective before replacing them. What the ****?! And he also informed that this was the first time that he, his co-workers, and his supervisor heard of it.
So now my options are to get my phone repaired, so now Im running around with a product I knowing pay a premium for for quality - but now have to know its been repaired. I can send in my phone and get it replaced, but Im out of a business phone for 3 days which is unacceptable.
Or I can be charged a $21 fee, plus a charge on my Credit card for new phone and theyd send me a replacement - and I would get reimbursed until they get mine back. Fine - but why should I have to pay?
Had I knowingly went into the store expecting my displayed to get repaired, fine. But after doing research first, after hearing of past customers getting their phones replaced, and after hearing from TWO representatives that Id get mine replaced, why cant I get the same level of service everyone else has had?
I live in Houston - and the store that is testing this new repair thing is in Willowbrook mall.
I buy Apple products because I expect a higher level of quality and customer service. I guess every once and a while, even those you never expect to will let you down.
Ill continue to post and spread the word.
iPhone 3G Windows Vista