I wanted to avoid going to a stealership where they can double charge me for the VSS but I guess I have to.

Call the parts guys at Signature Lincoln-Mercury and buy it for the CEG price. Here is the contact info from the CEG website:

Sentry Auto Group
https://www.sentrycars.com/Service/service.htm
Although Bill Jenkins has left, and Joe and Terry have as well, they continue to provide the same discounts at the Sentry South L-M dealership. Give them a call at 1-800-282-2290 or email them at parts@sentryautogroup.com.

Signature Lincoln Mercury (Bill Jenkins)
http://www.signaturelm.com/
Bill Jenkins has been giving CEG members great deals for quite some time now. You can get quotes by sending email to parts@signaturelm.com or call 1-800-876-3280. Bill moved to this new dealership in June 2002 from Sentry Auto Group in Boston.