As another n=1, I've been happy with my Pixel phones over the years and never had such an experience.

I was very happy with them until they sold me a defective phone, jerked me around for months, then refused to replace it.

That comment was criticizing Google's support. Did you also have an experience with them?

I do, over the years they've replaced my phone three times, two of those were beyond the 1-year manufacturer warranty period.

Yeah I've been exclusively on Pixels since the 2 and love them