Contact Apple main branch at cineleisure, not the retailers. They provide good customer service no matter whether you have the warranty or not. Anyways i believe as long as you own a Apple product and get it registered in itunes, the warranty is valid.
No harm dropping them a call.
Don't get your carrot cut by some blackshop and have your ipod back in even worse condition.
Remember they have trained technicians who are qualified to repair Apple products while most shops don't.
OR get a Ipod Touch. TOUCHSCREEN FTW!