Food processor

Bah; I've broken the plastic disc in my food processor that ensures food dropped in the top has to go through the grater (or other attachments) to reach the bowl beneath. Twenty minutes googling and I can't find a way to get a spare. I tried asking my father, and he replied, "These products have a short selling/parts life and are replaced regularly. If you (and I've tried also) can't get, just buy a new unit." I'm appalled that for want of a plastic part that would probably cost a pound or two, it looks like I'll have to throw away a perfectly serviceable machine costing a minimum of thirty times that much.