Dodge Repair: 1999 neon lock cylinder switch broke!, dodge dealer, electronic switch

Question
I have a 1999 neon that wont start the other day! The key would turn, but no start, dash lights, nothing! So I took my ignition apart and found that the plastic rod between tumbler and electronic switch was broke! I took it out and went to local dodge dealer, asked for a replacement! They told me I would have to replace the whole column! Ouch $550.00, Anyway, I just cant believe dodge would do this, knowing this part can easily be replaced! Is this true that the whole column has to be replaced for a little broken part which comes out easily? If it is true can you please give me a way to bring this to Chrysler attention! Thank You

Answer
yeah its true   and  who said the little plastic thing can be replaced easily?  As for the making of the column its made by some one else and dodge buys it  like many auto manufactures they buy stuff with given specs by some one else  so its not a dodge fault  and complaining to them wont get u any where for something that brakes on a 99 ALmost 10 years old.