Pricey/unavailable exhaust

[anvil58]

Hi.
Just had the centre and rear exhasut sections replaced on my 2001 2.2 lwb.
After trying a number of outlets in my area (north Nottinghmshire) and being told that these items were not available
through the normal suppliers I went to a place that supplied 'made to order' items and ended up paying £380 for manufacture and fitting!!!
I only thought to try ebay after having been fleeced and found these items at about half what I had been charged and even found that a custom made full stainless steel exhaust would only have come in at about £500.
This begs two questions - why are relatively freqently replaced items for a popular 10 year old vehicle not available (yes I kow about supply and demand but we are not talking about a rare vehicle) and why-o-why didnt I check the alternatives?

[N1ova]

The exhaust on the 2.2 petrol is easy to get hold of. Loads of places stock them. The only difficult Frontera exhaust to get hold of is the 3.2 v6 exhaust

[BoxCleva]

Have to agree with N1ova, they are easy to source. Not sure why you had so much grief

[fogman]

you could of got it from millners 4x4 for approx £100 delivered

[woodwizzard]

[fogman]