Someone else has told me iPads had an issue with bending, but I guess I was misinformed. $49 isn’t bad if that’s the case, but I would rather have known, and not had that unpleasant confrontation with the Genius.
I was a Creative at the Apple Store (back when those were a thing, Specialist, to ‘Family Room Specialist’ (iOS device support) to Creative (Trainer)) for 5 years, same timeframe as you. I’ve done my fair share of every kind of Apple device troubleshooting, and like to think I know better than to mistreat my devices and take extra care. I’ve never seen this kind of ’damage’, for lack of a better word, before.
This is the thread where I was led down the wrong path. https://sopuli.xyz/post/12625419
And thank you for the commiseration!
I use Kagi and Ecosia, and my experience has been very positive. I recommend both.