Battery at 143 cycles (1.5 yrs old) and will not charge

I've heard that around 300 cycles this happens, but I'm only at 143 -- anyone have some insight? It will not charge at all. The battery thing says (0%) and if I unplug it, the machine immediately turns off. I really don't want to shell out the money for a new battery when I might be able to 1) fix this one or 2) get Apple to give me a new one because this one is defective.

Please help me!! -Thanks!