I buy all of my rod building supplies mail order since I also live several hours from the nearest 'hands on' store. The mail order selection is also better my nearby stores. Mail ordered parts can be easily returned for the cost of shipping if you you don't care for the feel of them.

I've had excellent customer service on returns from Hook & Hackle, Cabelas, Rick's Rods and Jann's Netcraft.

One big difference in building vs. buying is in the warranty. If you break a home built rod the best you can hope for is a replacement on the blank, a broken factory rod would get you a new rod or a repaired section.