Missing parts......

I've lost them, damage them and had to source replacements whether from my spares stash or from the manufacturer/distributor direct.

I know several long time modelers who don't keep a single spare part after their build is complete. They just toss them away. It isn't that difficult to keep them, in fact they can be a resource to support ones hobby expenses by reselling or trading them for stuff you need. But to each his/her own.

I've been stockpiling parts for decades...and I'd be lost at times without them. 

We modelers all have lost parts, so you're not alone. If you're new to modeling (I noticed you joined us just a few months ago and you only have 20 posts), you'll hear us constantly joke about the "Carpet Monster." That's a horrible creature that looks so innocent lying on the living room or bedroom floor, but once a small part such as a photoetched throttle quadrant, instrument panel switch or once in my case, a 1/24-scale microphone for a CB radio gets launched into the air by a pair of tweezers, that carpet monster is ready and hungry and the part goes down the hatch, never to be seen again.

By the way, what part of southern California are you from?

There are a couple parts depots online. Both are free, but ask that you reimburse shipping and one asks for any spare parts donation. I've used Jay's site before: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/todtjager

The second site, I don't know the link off hand.