Polariod digital camera - 8 months old and battery cover broken - $ 50 to repair

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on August 26, 2002:

From:

RE: Polariod digital camera - 8 months old and battery cover broken - $ 50 to repair

I was given a polaroid digital camera for a Christmas present. It is now 8 months old and the other day the battery cover crumbled into about 4 pieces when I took it out of the case.

I called Polaroid and was told since I don't have the reciept it'll cost me $50 to repair. The camera is obviously defective and I want it fixed but they won't do it. I guess if you get a gift you're supposed to ask for the reciept from the giver.

This thing is new and Poaroid has no local repair facilities so I'm supposed to pay postage/insurance plus the $50. This is poor customer support and they do not back what they sell. Any suggestions?