Keyboard malfunction, is replacing top case only solution?

Hi all,

A few keys of mine have stopped working simultaneously - CTRL, OPTION, and the right SHIFT keys (the left SHIFT does, however work). Also, while the Caps Lock does work, the light never illuminates.

Word from Apple is this would require a full top-case replacement. I did find it interesting, though, that when they hooked up an external keyboard to attempt to run it in a diagnostic mode using one of the malfunctioning keys, this didn't work as well.

I bought this model last year after the other Mac I had bought also malfunctioned within a year. So, while I could absolutely live with this keyboard malfunction without shelling out $500 for a top case replacement via Apple... on principal, this just makes me regret using them at all. Any insights?