This is mystifying to me. I had a membership in a maker shop and took a welding course. I had a project in mind and bought 6 pieces of stainless tubing online.

This is mystifying to me. I had a membership in a maker shop and took a welding course. I had a project in mind and bought 6 pieces of stainless tubing online. They came in standard lengths but iirc they would cut them for an additional charge. If there was a minimum order it was lower than 6, prices were right there on the page, there was none of the friction the writer is talking about, and this was 16 years ago.