i was using their software & it was hacked. why should I have to pay for that???
I'm sure you don't really want to hear this right now but since you asked:
1. You didn't buy AppleCare and thus didn't extend telephone support past the 90 days.
2. Apple is not responsible if your password is sufficiently weak that it can be hacked. That is your fault, not theirs. Next time, use a stronger password.
I might add that Apple probably restored your purchases to you and had to eat the loss on whatever the thieves bought. Just sayin'.
Apple actually provides a utility built right into OS X that can generate incredibly strong passwords, and stores them so you only have to remember your admin password to use it (rather than having to try and remember multiple difficult passwords). It's called Keychain Utility.
A third-party version that's a bit more user-friendly is called 1Password and works really well. I bought it on sale for half price, it's normally $40 but well worth it, also has other features like secure notes where you can store CC# information safely etc.
I am sorry this happened to you and glad Apple was able to assist. I'm also sorry you had to pay, but weighing what the call cost you (I assume the usual $35 for out-of-warranty assistance) versus the value of what you might have lost or been liable for, I'd call it a relatively cheap life lesson on balance.