Screens do not break/crack all by themselves.
Some outside force or outside condition caused that screen to crack.
It got broke, doesn’t matter how, and you didn’t have the foresight/forethought to, perhaps, purchase Apple's extended use, user damage warranty OR you gambled you wouldn't ever need it?
Your are blaming Apple for its replacement cost policies, when the paid user damage warranty protection policy was clearly and expressly available to you for purchase, to protect your device against ANY damage for, now, 2 years plus?
Really,?
What did you really expect would happen here without the necessary paid user damage warranty protections?
This was clearly NOT any sort of manufacturing defect.
Accidents can and do happen.
Extended warranties, especially with constanrly and always mobile, mobile electronics devices, are insurance policies from any such damages.
Most Apple Store locations worldwide DO NOT repair iPads,
To expedite quick and speedy customer service, most Apple Store locations ONLY offer in/out-of-warranty device replacement.
My family has owned iPads for years!
Currently, 5 older iPad models are still functioning in my family.
The oldest is an over 9--year old, 2013 1st gen iPad Air.
None of them have ever gotten a cracked screen.
All had paid, 2-year extended AppleCare+ coverage.
Never had to use it, but if any one had, a replacement iPad would only have cost a small device replacement fee of $49 U.S.D.
Without the paid extended coverage, the device cost of replacement goes up a whopping 60% of that device's OEM price.
Sorry your iPad got damaged, but this is the reality of the situation you find yourself in and you'll find other similar such warranties from other mobile electronics makers, as well.
Apple is not an exception to these types of user damage protection warranties.
Again, Sorry.
Stuff Happens.
