Old school hardware store!
There's always a queue of people holding something in their hand, which is the best way to get what you want especially when you have know idea what the little bit of wire and metal you need is actually called.
Whether it's a washer or a garden gnome, they'll dig it out of the shelves somewhere.
You may pay slightly more for some things than if you bought in bulk from the bigger shops, but the genuine knowledge and proper customer service more than makes it worth it. If they don't have it in stock, they'll get it, or Tell you where you can.
Sometimes all you want is 1, or 31 or something; they'll sell you what you want and need without it being a round figure or what's standard in a pack.
My grandad used to buy 3AA batteries at a time for his electric shaver without any fuss at all;
he didn't want 2, he didn't want 4, he wanted 3 and that's what he got :)
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