Originally Posted by repechage

that is a blanket statement.
Most Bike shops have accounts that will allow them to order the bearings. In stock already, by luck.

what I have found this year in particular is that shops are inventory shy, they are running on the thinnest veneer of parts.
in conversation with one, I get it. Minimum orders, subvented or free shipping, the situation where items are sent only after the whole order is ready are making life difficult. Small quantities become expensive to get on the Delivery Truck.

things might eventually get better or there will be shops that stock more for a narrow sector to exploit quantity discounts.

a tough time to be in the bike biz.