Agreed. I WAS going to order some samples from onmicro last night, until I realized that the separate shipping and handling fees would cost more than just ordering the parts with shipping from digikey.
The only upside would be that I could get 5 of each part that you would otherwise need to order 3000 of from DK, or actually get parts that DK doesn't even stock (like OM's 3v voltage supervisor in active high configuration).
What would REALLY be nice is if RadioShack's slogan would cease to be "You've got questions, we've got cell phones". I miss the days of diving into the pile of parts they used to carry... now it's just pathetic. I've got a mom&pop electronic components shop nearby (greenbrookelectronics.com) that are usually good for the more obscure components (including vacuum tube sockets-- and their working tube tester)... but there's typically a $5 premium on every stinking part in the place, though if you're looking for some nostalgia, they still have a box of circa 1950's "solid state" components!
I was REALLY hoping that the Arduino craze would bring hobby electronics back into enough of a demand that price and availability would become more approachable, but from the looks of it if it doesn't come on a "shield", it doesn't sell.
//end rant