You've run into two or three reasons shops don't want to service you.
1- plain old snobbishness, wherein shops don't like working of "crappy old bikes"
2- CYA issues, wherein shops are afraid to work on crash damaged bikes out of concern of being sued over subsequent failures due to hidden damage.
3- Skills shortage, wherein their mechanics aren't able to economically and effectively diagnose the causes for your steering issue, which MIGHT be a fork, frame, or combination.
You're in the Boston area, and I suggest you seek a co-op there because these people are far more likely to be interested in serving your needs. If they're still around I suggest you visit the Broadway Bike School in Cambridge.
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