Lack of parts for 4 year old Maytag dryer

My 4 year old Maytag drying center stopped heating, so I called a local repair company. They found out, after diagnosis on the dryer, that Whirlpool, who purchased Maytag, has the heating element for this dryer on backorder - evidently they changed parts suppliers, and this part will be available in 6 MONTHS. Not a good way to treat an existing customer who paid $1200.00 for a dryer that now has to be replaced.