DJ,
The $10.00 to cover return shipping and handling is common. In fact, very few company warrentees cover shipping and handling.
It's nice that manufacturers replace/repair under warrentee, but each time they do, the customer is out shipping both ways, and you can look at it that just got added to the cost of that "bargan" item. That can add up to some rather expensive "cheap" items after awhile. That's why I never bothered to send my Gamo scope in for replacement. If it quits again, the shipping/handling to get it replaced under warrentee could wind up being more than the scope is worth.
When I hear a number of folks talking about how good the same companie's warrentee is ... I cringe. I'd rather hear about a company who's products are so good no one needs to find out how good their warrentee is !!! Unfortunately those type companies seem to be becoming fewer and fewer.
Paul.