I know what you mean, but if it really doesn't work at your place it might not have meant to be.
It's pretty much the same here, all stores have phals and nothing else unless of course you're willing to drive at least an hour. When I did find one that had cattleyas I bought two when I should have bought all the different ones they had (prolly 3-4) because the week after they were all gone.
Now don't even go in anymore and just order online because it's just not worth the brain seizures (or withdrawal I guess).