vairxpert wrote?

My Kenmore refrigerator quit cooling. I called an appliance repair
company. The tech said I needed a new "pc board." I don't know why he
called it that, except it sounds more ominous than "defroster timer,"
which it really was, and was even so identified on the box that he
brought the next day.

How do you know you were gouged? Just because something was named
differently doesn't prove that IMHO.
For example; hot water tap versus hot water valve!
How much did you pay for a) the part b) The visit or visits (it
sounds as though two were involved?) including use of a vehicle,
the amount of time, expertise of the technician and the tools
available and used.
If you were concerned about cost why didn't you diagnose and fix
it yourself.
That's what we did 25+ years ago with a non electronic defrost
timer costing, then, IIRC about $40. Today an electronic one
probably around $100-$150, say, plus labour and all the above
time/work for an electronic timer? I'm guessing maybe around
$250?
Terry.