I sent my D70 to Melville for the third time with the following problem. In the middle of shooting the lens would not focus. It would spim from max to min focus points and would not fire. If I changed to MF I could take pictures.
In one weeks time I had a package from Melvill containing a NEW D70s as a replacement camera.
That's really nice that nikon sent you a new camera. If I were in your shoes I couldn't ask for anything more. It's good to see them offering such great service.