In a separate thread, I suggested that teams think "outside the box" as follows:
1) Do the practice field "goals" need to have the "proper" corners or can they use drilled-holes and nylon tie-wraps as connectors. I'll admit that the practice tetras should be as close to competition-spec as possible.
2) In our town (Rochester NY USA) all of the Home Depot, Lowes, and other big-box retailers were sold out. We considered using 1" PVC instead.
3) I happened to pass a bathroom showroom called "Ferguson"...then I got onthe web to find out that
www.ferguson.com is one of the nation's LARGEST plumbing wholesalers and found out that they had over 500 1-1/4" endcaps in their regional warehouse; two days away from Rochester.
So....YES, gracious professionalism should exist at the store, but here's another way to extend that spirit.
ps: If only I had bought stock in PVC endcap-makers, I'd be rich.....