[ksec]

Pretty much a US specific things only and only with old Apple Retail.

[lostgame]

Absolutely not US-specific; happens all the time here in Canada; and it’s certainly happened, even to myself - pretty recently.

AppleCare is so much better than it ‘officially’ says it is.

[ksec]

How about North America Specific? It hasn't happened in most part of EuroAsia.

And as you note this is AppleCare ( assuming you mean AppleCare+ ). Especially when AppleCare replacement part is part of their cost centre.