Serial number for Smart Keyboard is eligible so I can’t be helped ??????

I went to the Apple Genius Bar for help today because my smart keyboard for my iPad Pro 12.9 inch 2nd generation is no longer working.

‘I bought it in 2017, and do not have the receipt readily available. I was told they couldn’t help me as I don’t have the receipt and the serial number on the actual keyboard is illegible because it is printed on the suede material.

This is totally unacceptable. Is it my fault that Apple printed a serial number on a material that does not enable legibility? The serial number on all other devices is on a hard surface that can easily be read and therefore they can help with that. Yet because Apple decided to print a serial number on a suede and it can no longer be read they can’t help?

Not happy Apple. I have been a loyal customer for a long time. This is not good enough.