Philips / Philips Go Gear Sa 2825 - 2gb — Timely Service Not Provided

I sent a device for repairing under warranty period of 1 Year.
Warranty Period not written on Warranty Card.
You have to deduce it from their web site.
Or you will have to be at the mercy of Service Centre (if you are uneducated enough) to tell you the exact warranty period!
Plus they need a Valid Bill (despite an ORIGINAL WARRANTY CARD issued by TATA's CROMA Store - M/s. Infiniti Retail Ltd.). WHY? Nobody to explain.
I tried[protected]Philips National Call Centre) to check as to why a valid bill is still needed when you have a valid original warranty card - they did not have any information as to why a bill is required by service centre! Somebody was to call me back yesterday to answer the same - Nobody did till now when I am writing this at 1532 hours on 28-JAN-2010!
My equipment was to be repaired today. They have given up. They will not be able to do it. Some senior GOD-SEND man will come & do it. By which time, utility of this product will be lost on me. I will miss all my sessions to record all voice. I am to travel outside my city to attend this seminar (without the device now).
What is the fun in buying a branded product?
One could buy 2 or more such products (may be, chinese) with the same amount of money!