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