[doublepost=1526148157][/doublepost]Apple did replace my dead pencil but after a month or so that one also died. I threw it in the bin. Its a rubbish product. I was a big Apple fan but these days its hard to keep up the enthusiasm for todays batch of overpriced and underwhelming products.
Latest Update:
I finally spoke with someone competent at Apple support and they were able to verify and confirm that the $29 battery replacement fee is the same one that should be accepted in all Apple stores. They were apparently unaware of this price in-store and thus charging $79 for any pencils that are out of warranty.
I now feel better about not being stuck with a $99 plastic fake stylus and I am happy Apple offers this replacement $ amount on their website. I’ll also be very diligent and cross my fingers so that it just doesn’t crap out of me after the limited warranty - 90 days.
It looks like we’ll all have to deal with dead batteries after a year or two of use and just get used to the fact that they will be rendered useless afterwards. These are basically throwaway products.
P.S. you also cannot keep the Pencil connected to the wall charger and use it at the same time. The Dead Battery kept the Pencil from staying connected to the iPad.