Inspiron 15547 hinge/case joint failing

I'm having the exact problem found here: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19622428

Mine is just at an earlier stage.  I'm very frustrated since the computer has been used gently in the almost-year I've had it.  In addition, this Dell replaced an HP with an identical problem!  HP never "owned it", so I'm hoping Dell will do better.