No effort to honour warranty

I have had the Monarch 5 8x42 Binos for 4 years now and use them relatively seldom (twice a month) for birding and game-viewing within South Africa. These have a 10 year warranty. Everything has been working fantastically for the past 4 years up until the eye relief on one side was stuck and wouldn't turn up. It always gets stored in its pouch and in a dry cupboard upon return. I contacted customer service and sent it in. They phoned back with the reply "It will not be covered by warranty as the eye-piece is not part of the binoculars, and you need to pay ~R700 to replaced the one eyepiece." Is this a joke? How is the eyepiece not PART OF THE BINOCULARS?? We are at the start of our careers which cameras, binos and co. are integral to.

Additionally, how can another reviewer in Kennewick, WA have the same issue (review posted in Consumer Affairs) and both eyepieces and an eyecup were replaced at no charge? Where is the consistency in your dealings??

You have lost a lifelong customer, and we will have no qualms with dissuading colleagues from supporting you. Despicable job Nikon. Your warranties are laughable and I am severely unimpressed.