27" iMac Broken Hinge

I am one of the unfortunate owners of an iMac with a broken hinge. A few weeks ago I was passing by my desk and heard a loud pop then noticed that my screen tilted forward. I Googled the issue and discovered it was a common problem reported by owners of iMacs shipped between 2012 and 2014. I found many articles online about the issue that referenced an internal memo sent by Apple to authorized service provides. According to the articles the issue is a faulty hinge with plastic washers in the spring mechanism which are not strong enough to support the weight of the 27 inch screen. Many owners reported online as well as in this community forum that Apple acknowledged a defect and repaired the hinge free of charge. I took my iMac in for repair today and was told the mechanism would be replaced free of charge but that I would have to pay a $79 labor charge which I disputed. I showed the tech one of the articles I found online and was told the source was not credible. I asked to speak with a manager who informed me that in his 7 years at the Modesto Apple store I was the first customer to bring in an iMac with this issue. He also admitted to searching articles online and referenced an internal memo which directs him to waive the cost of the hinge but not the labor. I asked to see the memo and was denied. I contacted the corporate office and spoke with 2 different individuals, the second one being a supervisor who after conducting some research and calling the Modesto store agreed to waive the cost of the labor. I will be picking up my iMac in 3-5 days so I will update after my pickup on my actual costs. I have spent hours reading through pages and pages within this community of customers with similar stories and many with different outcomes. If Apple agrees to replace the hinge mechanism free of charge they are in essence acknowledging there is a defect and the cost of labor should be waived. I refused to settle for anything less. My suggestion to anyone else who encounters this problem, voice your concerns and demand a free repair. This is clearly a defect and Apple should be held responsible. Final note, we purchased two iMacs in 2014 on the same day so I suspect the other iMac may suffer a similar fate; if so I will go through the same process.