K I'm gonna buy 2 ignition switches since they're so cheap and it seems like I'll need another one eventually. The one from kjc2050's thread isn't available from that seller anymore so I looked around and found one in Tennessee:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Meyle-Brand-Ignition-Switch-A4-A6-A8-S4-S6-80-90-100-Porsche-911-Boxster-/151437045342?fits=Year%3A1999%7CMake%3APorsche%7CM odel%3ABoxster&hash=item234259ee5e:g:5BkAAOSwUuFWvbWZ&vxp=mtr
so if anyone knows if it's a bad seller or the wrong part, do let me know!