Interesting thread. A few thoughts from me for what it's worth. I fit, service and repair boilers. My main supplier is huge. Huge. I'd guess the branch turns over more individual items in a week than all the archery suppliers in the UK combined in a year. Their operation is massive. Their overheads are massive. Their wage bill is massive. The service is the same as my go to archery supplier. So I'd say as archers we're pretty lucky to be served so well!
Secondly, after nearly 30 years of running classic cars, I've learnt to keep stock of parts that'll ruin your Sunday tinkering time, you know the kind of thing, buttoning a hub back up after repacking the bearings and realising the seal looks a bit ropey or the (single use) lock washer has had one too many uses
... So I always add consumables to a bigger order; last order was for a high torque starter, hub seals, felt seals, hub gaskets, etc. So instead of buying 12 nocks, buy 20, two bags of vanes instead of one, an extra stick of hot melt. Keep plenty of string material on your shelf and make three at a time. I suspect that if we're honest with ourselves, moaning about lead times and postage on small items from suppliers is a bit rich, when a little bit more foresight and organisation on our part would have been better in the first place. We run out of nocks then moan that a supplier can't get one to us by next day and then moan that there will be an actual cost. How outrageous!
Communicate. No point moaning after a couple of days that your order hasn't come. Phone them up first! Use this pro forma; "morning, I'd like to check price and availability please as I'm in a rush and need them for Saturday" How hard is that? At least you'll know whether or not you need to try somewhere else. Also, ask folk at your club! You need three red small g nocks for Sunday? You're more likely to find three brand new ones amongst your club mates in the next couple of hours than find them in tomorrow's post!
And finally, regards expensive kit and beginners, whilst I agree with most of what was said earlier (and indeed, I've been shooting MB scores for a couple of weeks now with a large UK supplier's, own-branded (and therefore unfashionable amongst some kitsnobs) limbs), if there's one thing I'd recommend, it'd be to buy a good sight early on. I think between me and my lad we've had six or seven but since we bought the shibuyas we've not suffered from things disintegrating like clown cars...
So, get yourself organised, recognise that archery suppliers aren't as big as you might think they are or would like them to be, stop wanting the moon on a stick, go old-school and actually speak to people and buy a good sight.
Wear sunscreen.
PS thanks, archery suppliers of the UK, your work and advice is appreciated!