Ignition problems, please help

I have a Ford Contour, 2000 model, and the ignition switch is messed up, you have to jiggle the key a lot to make it start, not always, but sometimes. I was told that to fix it I would first have to take it to a locksmith and have them reprogram some stuff in it, then put an ignition switch on it. This is very expensive. Supposedly has to do with the anti thieft mechanism. The Ford dealership said it would cost about $450 at the locksmiths then $150 for the ignition switch, then labor costs to put it on. Is that right? That is a lot of money.