Well, it turns out that our slippery friends at Kromer have been spared a call from the Ministry of Consumer Services. The Ministry only handles cases with a value of over $100 and, at $90, my case fell just under their radar. Anyhoo, I'm sending the headphones off to the manufacturer in Quebec for servicing.
So, moral of the story from Kromer:
1) They sold me something they said would last but didn't.
2) They invent stories to explain why they aren't responsible for product failure.
3) They retaliate if you try to exercise your legal rights.
4) Nobody's going to stop them.
So, shop with them at your own peril.