Included iPod Sleeve Clip Broken!

[UltraNurd]

I have the 10 GB model iPod, and I found out today how poorly manufactured the included Apple iPod sleeve is, specifically in the clip part. Although there is a nice strong metal pin, the pin is held in place by only thin plastic eyelets, one pair each on the plastic clip and on the body of the iPod sleeve. The important part of the post is at the end, but if you have a strong stomach and a stout heart, read on...

As I was getting into a car today, with my iPod (his name is Orpheus, but that's not important to the story) clipped to my right hip, I heard over my music a slight snapping sound, and Orpheus dropped to the floor of the car, leaving the sleeve's clip still stuck in my pants. As far as I can tell, as I bent slightly to sit down, my hip ended up on one side of the door jamb, and the body of the iPod on the other, so that as I finished my seating maneuver, it got pulled aside until the clip snapped. !! The eyelets had sheared right through on the clip side, leaving the pin in the back of the sleeve, and the broken parts decidedly missing. To add insult to injury, the metal spring, obviously secured by the pressure of the clip attached to the sleeve back, fell off. !!!!

I have a couple of questions with regard to this epic tale of woe and anguish (come on, give me a little dramatic license):

1) Has anyone else had this part break on them? I've only had the iPod since Christmas, and although the sleeve clip did appear somewhat flimsy, I didn't think it would break after only two weeks of minimal use stuck to my belt.

2) Has anyone had success fixing this part? As I said, the plastic is completely broken (just at the eyelets), so I'd need to fashion a new hinge part out of something.

3) Does anyone have recommendations for replacement sleeves or holders? I don't normally wear a belt, so it needs to have a clip that can also survive the occasional pocket dive. Somewhere to keep the earbuds would be an added plus, as would being able to access the controls while the iPod is in its sleeve.

4) Is this worth complaining/making a suggestion about to Apple?

Thanks, and if I wasn't descriptive enough :P, I can post pictures of the broken parts on my site.