AT&T cell phones and their chargers

Has anyone had a problem replacing their charger, if it ends up not working or for some other reason? I called them to ask them if I could replace my charger, and they stated that they could not replace the charger, because something about no longer making or selling the model that goes to that cell phone, which absolutely made no sense. Seeing as though I did not have the phone for that long. They told me I would have to buy a universal charger from them, which was very expensive, or that I could go on a wild goose chase to find a universal charger in the stores that will match my model phone. When I did finally find a matching universal charger, I got home, opened it, and plugged it up. Guess what????? The charger would not work. Money I could have had in my pocket, for something that did not work. If they had simpliy just been able to replace the charger. Now the phone is useless, stting in a draw full of old cords and old prepaid phones. To me its a waste to even invest in a cell phone from some of these companies.