That is the problem for a lot of people. Parts can be bought much cheaper if you wait but if you need them right now then you are paying full bore retail especially if the repair shop is supplying them. I suppose its the premium for using locally stocked parts that around here, come out of a few large warehouses.
I agree. It's the daily drivers that get ya. I found, through trial and error, that rock auto has a warehouse stocked with parts near me for one of my vehicles. I order from there and get the parts next day at ground prices.
I use their warehouse feature against them, always putting parts that have come from that warehouse in my cart and then adding other parts I need to my cart, then deleting the stuff I don't need. If there was a way to drive to their warehouse and pick up my order, then I'd do that instead.
It also helps having more than one car that I'd consider a daily driver.