steepholm

Exactly this. I always try to find whatever I want in town first. Failing that I'll try one of the businesses I've used for years and who sell online. I recently bought a larger clothes airer. The local shop only had a very small one, but JD Williams, a business I've bought from mail order since the 1970s had just the thing.

But sometimes the only place I can find things is on Amazon, e.g. a watch strap narrow enough for my watch.