Airpods case: LED flashes green

I have bought new airpods a bit more than two weeks ago, opened the case, charged them and the LED was flashing green and pairing was not possible. spent hours chatting and talking to apple support, repeating all checks, resets, answering the ever same questions about which IOS etcetcetc over and over ... Apple twice sent me a case as a replacement, which didnt work - seems to be the "pod". Now apple refuses to send replacement pods, they insist I bring it to an apple store. (during office hours of course - which is difficult when you have a job).

Now i'm sitting here, paid for airpods that don't work, spent a lot of time and have nothing. Any ideas - besides never to buy apple again?