I agree the components are related in the way you are explaining in your example. However, I believe the wording of the law "related transactions" actually is more limited than what you envision. As you know, the Patriot Law is extending the provisions to retailers...but the same notice requirements have been in effect with financial institutions for several years. Initially that law was notice of $10,000 or more per transaction. So the money launderers started getting multiple money orders for lesser amounts (on the same day) to avoid triggering the reporting ie 2 $6,000 money orders. Hence the change in the law. That is why I believe the related transactions refers to time span, not related items. Now, if you bought the TV and paid for it and five minutes later bought the DVD and sound system and paid for it, neither being over $10,000 but together they were, then I think you would trigger the reporting requirement...but again it is because of the time frame not the purchase. Since the law has not yet been tested, neither of us really knows but I have given you my opinion.
About a month after I was turned in, the ABC came around and did an audit and the IRS came the following week. I passed both because I always over pay a little bit just to be safe. However, it was a major pain in the butt and silly.