/Update:
I sent in my phone to Samsung, they received it 9/22. A day later, yes ONE day later on 9/23 they send me an email saying my phone has been fixed and is being shipped to me. Well, I receive it on 9/25 and the piece of plastic that was sticking out was BROKEN off. I got the phone looking like this:
(note the missing piece of the side bezel right behind the volume buttons)
Of course I give them a call right away, and basically get told that cosmetic damage is not covered by the warranty. Keep in mind when I first created the ticket, I was told to send in the phone and they will let me know if there will be any cost by giving me a call. Of course I didn't get a call back, just that my phone was sent back a day after it was received by Samsung.
After spending a little over an hour back and forth with customer service, a manager said after reviewing their notes, he realized that the original rep who created the ticket did type in "will review phone and notify customer if any cost applies". He said to send in the phone again and they will waive the fee to fix it.
A day after Samsung received it a SECOND time on 10/1 I get a call from Samsung saying they don't know why my phone was sent in for repair. Well I tell them the problem and right away the lady said "okay got it I will have them fix it!" A day later I get an email that my phone is fixed and will be shipped out. I'm supposed to receive the phone tomorrow, and I'm biting my nails. I'm hoping this has been fixed once and for all, and I won't have to live without a smartphone for another couple of weeks! (I know, first world problems)
Will keep you all updated when I receive it tomorrow!