Is garage/mechanic ripping me off?

Hello. Three days ago my 1998 Jeep Wrangler wouldn't start. The dash lights all came on but there was no click or sound whatsoever. I tapped the starter and tried again but nothing. I knew it wasn't the battery so I had it towed. I hadn't heard anything from the garage so I showed up and they told me a small piece in the steering column broke and that I can't just replace that piece, I need to replace the whole steering column. I cant remember the piece he said. However, he said they no longer make steering columns for my Jeep so they called several salvage yards and nothing. So I'm stuck until they find one and they didn't have a time table. I'm just frustrated I don't have my Jeep. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance! Jason