'Venture' Waterproof Jacket

I loved this jacket when I purchased it a year and a half ago. It's lightweight, waterproof, and a great color (mine is a light sea green). However, it has completely failed the durability test. After a year the laminated lining started to discolor...the underlying color of the coat seemed to be showing through. Last week, the lining started flaking off and now looks terrible. In addition this lining gives it its waterproof capability, so it isn't waterproof anymore, either. I took the jacket to my local Nordstrom store (where I bought it). The clerk gave me a photocopied "warranty return form" to complete and send with my jacket to North Face. According to the clerk, this problem happens "all the time" with this jacket. Had I known that I wouldn't have bought it! Upon reading the form, I see that I have to send the jacket to North Face and pay for any repairs (unless the jacket is covered under warranty...don't think it is, but I don't have the original tag after a year and a half). In addition, I would have to pay any cleaning fee that would apply due to California law. It seems that I would come close to paying for a new jacket after all these costs are added up. This jacket seemed like a good buy when I first got it, but now I am completely dissatisfied. I will also be writing to North Face company, but I think Nordstrom buyers might want to know about this before they make the same mistake I did.