In the last year, Evansville, Indiana, a city of about 120,000 in SW Indiana, has lost two stores that carried basic brewing supplies and equipment. Now we're pretty much dependent on internet ordering. Some of the local microbreweries will sell you a full sack of base malt on occasion, but if you need just a few ounces of crystal or an extra packet of yeast you're probably out of luck.
If you can plan ahead and stick to your plan, you can get some decent prices on the internet provided you meet minimum purchase requirements for free shipping. My problem is I enjoy reading the latest issues of Zymurgy and Brew Your Own; they are always full of articles that stimulate ideas for new brews that, of course, are guaranteed to include ingredients I don't have in my inventory.
Do I then bite the bullet and pay shipping for small purchase amount, or wait until I can meet the minimum purchase amount for free shipping?
Am I the "Lone Ranger" here, are do some of you occasionally have this problem?