It sounds like he did try the suppliers with no luck.
We KNOW it wasn't in stock anywhere. Next thing to do is order it. Unless you are a regular at a supply house and have an account most won't want to bother ordering anything for you.
Not a "tirade" against home centers, but giving your business to a supply house that only sells to the trade has it's advantages.
Many times I can walk into a house and know right off that it's the house that Home Depot built because there is nothing there that's unusual or isn't on display in their isles.
-Hal
