I agree. I am not even sure I understand what is being discussed in this thread. When I have a switch that stops working (ie won't turn on locally) I call SmartHome and get an RMA. I never get into a discussion about paddles vs micro switches or any other technical aspect of their product. I push the button and it no longer comes on.. what more is there to say? Total conversation time is usually less than 1 minute.
Someone brought up a guy who tried to return a switch that was out of warranty, and SmartHome refused. That's why we were discussing whether or not they should have let him return it, whether or not the problem he was having was a known issue.
IF SH absolutely refuses to replace my defective switches I will take 12 of them and do some experiments. For 6 I will resolder the switches to the board. For the other 6 I will buy and replace the microswitch. I will then make test fixture and get some more cheap counters and operate each of them on and off 20 times a day for a month and record the data (if it operated or not etc.
If all those switches you have are truly bad, and not due to some powerline issue in your house, DO NOT settle for anything less than replacements. Not EVERYONE is dealing with all the issues you are. I don't have one bad switch in my house, and there's no reason why you should either.