That's the NorthEast Texan in ya comin out!
I order my strings 12 paks at a time nowadays.....it's just easier...although I must admit that there's a local guy here that gives me a great buy on strings as well....so I generally do buy my electric strings from him.
Anyway...I feel your pain....sometimes folks can really really be frustrating in their UNWILLINGNESS to treat their customers like....well, CUSTOMERS!