It might take all of 5 minutes to disconnect the coax cables and remove the antenna from the base plate. It does take time to get it down and take it to the UPS Store so it can be packed and shipped. This is, of course, related to an antenna out of warranty so you had at least of couple of good years sue but how many we will never know.
I agree that it's a bad policy not to sell parts to customers who have products out of warranty except I know they tried it in the past and customers did not know what the actual problem was, destroyed the new parts and insisted Winegard make good on the stuff they destroyed. Winegard finally make a choice not to sell parts and they have had that policy for many, many years.