I don't know about you, but a single chiclet key and a full-fledged tablet computing device aren't in the same ballpark in terms of functionality, either.
Until you factor in the cost of tearing out the drywall, putting up a temporary support jack, tearing out the 2x4, putting the new one in (plus the cost of nails, of course), then running the electrical cables back through the new board, then replacing the drywall, and then of course painting the wall again.
But, you say, but you could save the extra cost and expense and labor by just not having drywall covering your 2x4s. That's certainly an option, and I'm sure some homeowners choose that.
But no, it's just a 2x4. It should be cheap, right? But when you add it all up, just another couple of dollars would buy an entire new wall!
In some stores, techs may try to re-seat the existing key, and in very rare cases have replacement keys to utilize in-store, but usually they end up wanting to ship out for a full replacement top case.
So you are not paying for a key, you are paying for a new Apple keyboard (which sadly, will inevitably develop the same key issues as the design is not fixed.)
It's pretty frustrating. Either apple just doesnt update their employees on issues or they just dont want to admit stuff until they have to (not implying it's malicious, but it certainly seems like it)