Very Strange.....or is it?

Wow! What an odyssey to get to this point! Good for you on sticking to your guns and looks like EC is doing the right thing. You might ask (demand) that step by step photos be taken, (send along a disposable/cheap camera with the camper) to document the repair. If they are up front enough to admit there is a problem to fix, hopefully they'll document the repair so you'll have the confidence that they did indeed remove the front cap to repair it, if that's the route they go. Good luck with all of this, sounds like you're keeping your wits about you and hopefully you'll be able to smile when this is all over out enjoying your TC.