May just be the spark plug wire? but it usually comes attached to the coil assembly. watch ebay for ignition unit or same like saw basket case for replacement parts.

That's the problem with dealers hourly rate is so high that most low cost things older becomes obsolete due to the costs involved in labor repair. Did you ask him if he could get the part and how much it would cost? if you can get it maybe you can find a friend to fix it?

cheap weadeaters are a good example labor costs over take the cost of the unit new and most get chucked in the trash.