Dual Rotary Source ;-)

Hi guys,Here's the email I got from one of Mouser specialists:==================="ALPS part number is EC11EBB24C03, Mouser part number is 688-EC11EBB24C03. 40 piece price is $17.15 each 1200 piece price is $6.18 each 4-6 weeks lead time for samples 6-8 weeks lead time for production quantities. Order would Non-Cancel/Non-Return Production Agreement Letter would be required for production quantities."==================And here comes the explanation for this:=================="Alps charges for their sample quantities. Because they are less than their minimum order quantity they charge a premium for this amount. This may in fact be a part that was over looked when we were adding the encoders to our catalog. We go through some pretty extensive research plus have inputs from the manufactures themselves about which products are moving or expected to move. If we get enough business with this part, it may be added at a later time"==================The only solution I see - unless somebody here has another source - is to gang-up, poll resources and place an order for as many units you may need and then split the order.